Apple recalls AC wall plug adapters over electrical shock issues

Apple issued a massive recall notice on 28 January for its two-pin wall plug adapters sold in certain regions. The decision to do so was taken after some of them were found to have broken down due to manufacturing defects creating the risk of electric shock.

Apple said that it has cautioned its customers to stop using the older model adapters. There have so far, been 12 known "incidents" of its adapters failing to work, according to the tech giant. However, whether users were actually affected by an electric shock due to product failure is still uncertain. The Cupertino-based tech firm has said that "in very rare cases" the AC wall adapters may malfunction and leave customers vulnerable to the risk of electric shock when physically handling the device.

The adapters had been shipped with iPads, Macbooks and some older models of iPhones and iPods between 2003 and 2015, to various parts of the world. However, the recalled products were mostly localised to Brazil, Argentina, parts of Europe, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, according to a report by Cnet. The affected adapters connect directly to a power brick to charge devices through wall mounted plug points.

The recall, however, does not affect Apple customers in the US, UK, China and Japan. It also does not affect USB adapters that are usually shipped with the latest models of iPhones and iPods.

Apple has maintained that customer safety and satisfaction are of utmost importance to it. In 2014, it offered customers who complained of overheating, a free exchange of its USB iPhone chargers, sold between 2009 and 2012 within continental Europe. The company had also previously offered its customers free bumpers to cover the metallic frame of some iPhone 4 models, since handling them in a certain way was causing customers continued interference with network signals.

Apple users who find themselves with defective AC wall adapter plugs can exchange their current chargers by visiting their local Apple store or send in an online request via the i-products makers' official website. The company has also provided a visual guide on its website to help customers determine whether their adapters require to be exchanged.