Sparks when plugging powered usb items into macbook

KrooKedUK

KrooKedUK

KrooKedUK

Associate
Joined
12 Aug 2008
Posts
258
Location
Northern Ireland
I have just noticed recently that when I plug a powered usb item like an external hard-drive or printer into my unibody macbook that it sparks. Nothing has been damaged so far, but ideally I would like to figure out the problem before it kills the mac.

Has anyone else had the problem and been able to fix it?
 
I've always noticed this on the unibody units - I don't think it's that unusual.

Make sure your plug is properly earthed. I don't think it actually causes a problem as such, voltage on USB and the like isn't much anyways.
 
Yeah it's the full length power lead I am using so it should be earthed fine. It happens regardless of the macbook being plugged in.

It just broke the signal to the external monitor I have plugged in there now when I connected the external hdd. :(
 
PardonTheWait said:
Are you using the full length power lead? Or the stumpy bit? The stumpy one's not a proper earth connection.
Click to expand...
It doesn't make a difference. There is no connection between the earth on the power adaptor and the Magsafe connector.

Sounds like a fault with the laptop, I assume it's still in warranty?
 
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