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Non-Official Apple Products

gemz4the1
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We have all seen in the news at least one article about an electrical shock or other damage caused by non-official products being used with Apple devices.

 

However I am confused as to whether it is the USB cable, the plug, or both that can be dangerous?

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adamtemp64
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@gemz4the1 wrote:

 

However I am confused as to whether it is the USB cable, the plug, or both that can be dangerous?



If the charger is fake and faulty the risk is that it will not be 5v 1a dc being produced and the risk of electrocution is higher eg 240 v ac being delivered to the usb socket.

 

The cables if plugged in to an official charger will obviously only be getting 5v dc +/- the allowed .5v (if i remember correctly) but the poor construction and non use of correct cable (low smoke etc) can lead to the fire hazard we saw.

 

So worst for risk of death etc is the charger, the leads if on an official charger should pose little risk of death. But combine the 2 and there is the real danger.

 

I have non apple chargers but all are correctly approved and recognised brands that came with other devices that use usb or 1 5 way usb 5 amp multi charger that outputs correct current for ipad and 4 other usb devices from 1 mains plug.

 

I have a meter that I can put inline of any usb device with socket a that will tell me output voltage and current drawn by the device. Very handy to find the best usb leads to charge at max curent the device needs.

 

(I have a hobby that involves electronics and radio waves hence my knowledge)

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Anonymous
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@gemz4the1 wrote:

We have all seen in the news at least one article about an electrical shock or other damage caused by non-official products being used with Apple devices.

 

However I am confused as to whether it is the USB cable, the plug, or both that can be dangerous?


From what ive seen its the cable that's been the issue.

 

At one point £1 stores were selling them {lightening iphone cables} but they now seem to have been pulled from the shelves.

 

Rule of thumb : Use 100% Genuine accessories.

 

No point in potentially ruining a few hundred pound smartphone or worse.

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gemz4the1
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I agree - I would prefer to spend a bit extra to buy an official product and make sure that my iphone is safe rather than get a cheap £1 cable and end up damaging a £549 phone.

 

What is your view on the docking stations and speakers - would you buy more well-known products and preferably from the Apple site?

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MI5
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Don't be confused. Just buy everything genuine. Simples wink
I'm so OCD I even only buy genuine covers and cases!!
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Anonymous
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@MI5 wrote:
Don't be confused. Just buy everything genuine. Simples wink
I'm so OCD I even only buy genuine covers and cases!!

Me too.

 

£35 for the Apple 5s leather case. {Got it for £20 at CEX  Whistle  }

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gemz4the1
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I bought myself a lovely Radley iPhone case - it cost about £26 but it beats the cheap covers I've had in the past which kept interfering with my signal.

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Anonymous
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I've ordered a Radley iPhone case in the sale!

I do use genuine accessories but my case isn't Apple as I didn't like any of them.

Regarding speakers etc, I have a Bose docking station but thanks to Apple changing the connectors this only works with my iPod. The sound is so good though that I can live with that!
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gemz4the1
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@Anonymous wrote:
I've ordered a Radley iPhone case in the sale!

I do use genuine accessories but my case isn't Apple as I didn't like any of them.

Regarding speakers etc, I have a Bose docking station but thanks to Apple changing the connectors this only works with my iPod. The sound is so good though that I can live with that!

I ordered it just before christmas and a few days after it arrived the sale started - just my luck lol. 

Which one did you order?  I have the Skies The Limit one.  I'm tempted to get the one of my iPad (same design) as they are on offer (£20 instead of £40), however they only have the iPad 2 size and the Kindle cover isn't big enough for the iPad mini.

 

I don't particularly like the covers that Apple have.  I have a strange sense of style for my phone lol.

 

Thanks for the info on the speakers

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Anonymous
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I ordered the Sky's the Limit as well. I went for the black one - I wanted pink but also treated myself to the purse and I wanted them to match!

My current iPhone case is a Disney Minnie Mouse one so this will be a bit more grown up!
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gemz4the1
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I ordred the blue one as I like blue but it's more of a green than a blue

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