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Macbook Air not grounded
I just bought a refurbished Macbook Air. It arrived yesterday, however my initial excitement is now very dampened; when the laptop is plugged into the mains, there's a mild electrical current , buzzing on the machine, and I can feel it, every time I touch it. I just went down to the Apple store in town, and was informed that this was "totally normal" ("no it's not" was my reply, in case you're interested). My 2015 macbook pro doesn't do it. So why does a brand new 2025 Macbook Air do it?
Before I send it back for a refund, just wanted to hear what other people think about this? Seems incredibly odd, that I haven't read anything about that - I've spent many, many hours investigating the silicon chip machines, so if it was "totally normal", you'd think maybe someone would've mentioned it.
Comments
I think it’s quite normal, at least ime. I have a 2015 MacBook Pro and it often feels like that when charging, depending on the socket I have it plugged into. My previous MacBooks were the same. I notice it the most when the MacBook is plugged into an extension lead.
Ok. So if I want to make music all day, and I have the laptop plugged in (which I need to do if there are multiple hubs/keyboards/midi controllers connected), then I just have to put up with this? That seems utterly bizarre
Thanks for reply Tom
I've a couple of suggestions/questions:
Yes, Apple charger. It's a refurbished machine, but came in original box, like new.
Home wiring is fine, as far as I'm aware
Not sure what you mean by turning over @uncledave
Looking at other forums, lots of people are saying that a 3-pronged extension cable might resolve the issue.
Is that something like this? : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/397286133055?_skw=3+prong+extension+for+apple+macbook+air+2025&epid=1241075530&itmmeta=01KBFEQN9EG9PE90N0CCSFYP45&hash=item5c80194d3f:g:w6IAAeSwNPdpHKRp&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAABEFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fjj8OOVmQ+CW8h1zL3uhfOJ1cSthQPVdQF4qGTYq0VwkUwPsO8QbzQ9XpBhE24MlElIiBagd1H1f7CwJI4lV8WR5COOWGB4c42BJvYl5PPk3AY6i/+alAp2f7NdmIa9lsl/FA2EXdwg68sxAdM1LdZLCY1b1iW46txD0udg5fHIrEeac2OeEamdPlEpC9mkE95UYRTCAyJQYI2ToeZZ+96NxrMISAM0Mrs3INQ0vXOY5KBDEDy8gXSECqHAOrJB712MsbH09nnsiqZyp1HDke7j0B0DwOnCDd7knqk3tLD3Cp4BDk4G20+aOF/A713usWHk2s5M0AseAQ0A8WXHlK+|tkp:Bk9SR4LV3u7bZg
Yeah, I’ve experienced the same with devices (including iPad Pro).
I believe I didn’t feel the current when I plugged in the wall the other way around (180 degree turn).
But not sure if this was with my iDevices (charger) or with a lamp (direct plug).
Try it.
Edit: just tested with my iPad Pro, slight current on the side. Turning the charger around doesn’t change it, same with plugging the USB into the iPad the other way.
Same with my MacAir M1. It’s never bothered me.
Unfortunately, it is actually considered "normal" nowadays. The culprit is the Class Y capacitor in SMPSs, which is required by dumb regulations for noise suppression, but also means that you get a mild electric shock when you touch a modern device's metal case. Yes, believe it or not: electric shock is required by regulations! 🤡
(it's worse when the device doesn't have an earth / ground connection, as indeed most Apple devices don't -- as you noticed.)
(EDIT: Nothing keeps you from "manually" grounding the case if it really bothers you, i.e. just connecting the case to a known ground (i.e. in an actual wall socket) with a long wire, which would eliminate the buzz.)
Turning the charger over: If it's an old-style 2-pin plug, you can try turning it 180°, to exchange the pins. If you're using 3-pin connectors, as shown in your eBay image, that's not possible.
If you have one MacBook plugged in and you don’t hear the hum, then it’s the MacBook that’s producing it rather than anything else.
However, it doesn’t mean it’s not grounded - there’s something that is allowing EMI interference. Could be bad wiring, internal devices lacking separation (could be a result of refurbishing), fan noise, etc.
If it was me I’d return it as faulty as you seem to have isolated the issue to the MacBook itself.
Thanks folks. Yes, unfortunately @SevenSystems is correct - it is viewed as completely normal apparently. Went into the Apple Store and subjected myself to the Apple Store experience, which I always hate. The goon there told me it was totally normal with all the aluminium-bodied laptops, and if I want a refund they'd be happy to give me one.
So, spending a grand on an electrical product, and that product giving off an (albeit mild) electrical current is now totally normal. "My 2015 macbook pro doesn't do it" I said. They shrugged, and smiled, and reiterated that they'd be happy to refund me....
I'm gonna order a 3 prong extension cable, because lots of people have said that resolves it...
i think when you connected your adapter to power "reversed" (you know what i mean, rotate from top to bottom 180 degrees) it should disappear ..
Most (more expensive) devices have a Class Y cap on both mains leads now so that won't work anymore...
The only solution really is to ground the case or snip the capacitors (which voids the warranty obviously).
@uncledave mentioned this, but I don't understand what you mean. I'm in the UK, if that makes a difference (?)
Anyway, I've ordered one of those extension cables for 7 quid, so let's see...
I believe he's saying to pull the plug from the wall, flip it 180° and replug it in
I am completely unfamiliar with this as I'm in the US and have mainly polarized plugs. But if you can do that with yours, that's what the suggestion sounds like
Yeah, I kinda assumed he meant that, but that won't work in the UK. Thanks though!
ah.. ok .. didn't know that
and extension power cable with surge protection doesn't solve the problem ? i it removed some ground loop issues for me (hum in headphones caused by ground loop) so it may solve this problem too ?
I don't think so. The Y capacitors create an intentional, direct, current-limited bridge between the primary (high-voltage) and secondary (low-voltage) sides of the power supply. Why? Some weird electrical noise / emissions regulations stuff that nobody asked for and nobody needs 😃
I can confirm that it works. At least with the grounded Type F / Schuko socket variant of the extension cable (but I guess it should work with any other grounded socket variant).
Wikipedia — Type F
http://web.archive.org/web/20251203113654/https://www.apple.com/es/shop/product/mw2n3z/a/cable-alargador-para-el-adaptador-de-corriente
I'll only notice the current on the chasis while charging if using the stock, cheap ungrounded Type C socket.
Wikipedia — Type C