tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post1497775255051261544..comments2024-03-27T22:51:35.227-07:00Comments on Ken Shirriff's blog: iPad charger teardown: inside Apple's charger and a risky phonyKen Shirriffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08097301407311055124noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-19295952384153155872021-03-08T08:43:49.630-08:002021-03-08T08:43:49.630-08:00Excellent work my friend. I thought I had bad grou...Excellent work my friend. I thought I had bad grounds but it’s looking like a shit charger is doing it thank you kindly for this knowledge cheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-45323008590817379642020-09-07T16:30:12.699-07:002020-09-07T16:30:12.699-07:00An anonymous commenter said: " I've chang...An anonymous commenter said: " I've changed 7 chargers in the last 7 months ... ... why doesn't anyone comment on the real issue - why do we need to replace an Iphone/ Ipad charger so frequently in the first place?"<br /><br />OK, I'll comment.<br /><br />I've seen A LOT of similar comments and in EVERY single case I've looked into either the charger WAS NOT an authentic Apple charger, or (most commonly) the cord connecting the charger to the device failed, not the charger! Most non-technical users refer to the cord as "the charger" and unfortunately, genuine Apple cords tend to fail right near the connector. Someone disconnecting the charging cord from the device by pulling on the cord instead of by grasping the plug could easily go thru 7 cords.Gold47https://www.blogger.com/profile/05509254159607481532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-112760011808904912020-07-29T01:09:32.316-07:002020-07-29T01:09:32.316-07:00The I Phone charger is made @Foxconn and ARTESYN
T...The I Phone charger is made @Foxconn and ARTESYN<br />The cost is USD1.5!!!Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-66757559183136983552020-07-09T04:35:54.466-07:002020-07-09T04:35:54.466-07:00Hi, does anyone know which zener diode is on the i...Hi, does anyone know which zener diode is on the ipad charger?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-18220184462388653022019-10-14T19:39:39.027-07:002019-10-14T19:39:39.027-07:00I believe the Y capacitors from line to the output...I believe the Y capacitors from line to the output ground or common, is what causes the tingling sensation one often gets from the metal case of a device being charged. It acts as a capacitive divider across the line input. So the case of the device is floating at half the mains voltage, relative to earth ground.<br /><br />That, combined with body capacitance provides a fairly high impedance path for AC current to flow through your body. I generally feel it at my wrists that touch the edge of the case while typing on my laptop (2 prong adapter). This is mostly in countries with 240VAC mains, not so much in the states on 120VAC.<br /><br />Any two prong device with normal RF bypassing from the lines to the output can do this. 3 prong adapters with a proper ground pin generally don't exhibit this, as long as the ground has a good connection.Mike Chadwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700485545119704122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-61157166729254005332019-05-28T03:56:45.502-07:002019-05-28T03:56:45.502-07:00I know clearly about ipad charger, for example, it...I know clearly about ipad charger, for example, it's structure.<br /><br />but what kinds of <a href="https://www.jotrin.com/" rel="nofollow">electronic components</a> does the ipad charger use?PANSYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04464059311123789588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-81191349776518448672019-03-12T05:37:53.542-07:002019-03-12T05:37:53.542-07:00Dear Ken,
please takle a look to my charger. If I...Dear Ken, <br />please takle a look to my charger. If I connect it to my iPad, the keyboard beginns to weaves:<br /><br />Is it original or a fake?<br /><br />https://www.bilder-upload.eu/bild-779404-1552394072.jpg.html<br /><br />best regard, andreasandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15125406461197050131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-31593852299762112472019-03-12T05:33:18.488-07:002019-03-12T05:33:18.488-07:00Dear Ken,
maybe take a look to my charger. If I ...Dear Ken, <br /><br />maybe take a look to my charger. If I connect it to the iPad, the keyboard beginns to waves<br /><br />[URL=https://www.bilder-upload.eu/bild-0f6f38-1552393801.jpg.html][IMG]https://www.bilder-upload.eu/thumb/0f6f38-1552393801.jpg[/IMG][/URL]<br /><br />Best regards, Andreasandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15125406461197050131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-1459263702823225712018-12-13T15:04:29.017-08:002018-12-13T15:04:29.017-08:00Very well done! a few comments arising from other ...Very well done! a few comments arising from other comments:<br /><br />These absolutely are flyback converters. The thing commonly referred to as a flyback transformer is not used in the normal sense of a transformer where current flowing in the primary causes simultaneous current to flow in the secondary. It is actually an inductor with two windings. The input winding on the AC mains side is used to store energy in the inductor during part of the cycle. The sorted energy is delivered to the DC output side during another part of the cycle. To facilitate sufficient energy storage the core of the inductor will have a small air gap, normally in the centre leg but sometimes in all three legs (which are actually just 2 legs topologically). A flyback converter is instantly recognizable because there is only a single diode in the output circuit and no additional inductor. It is pretty much the only topology commercially used for low-power switchers. The name does derive from the circuit used in raster CRTs where the electron beam "flies back" across the screen. Because there is true transformer action among output windings, a decent job of regulating the main output voltage can be done with the winding that supplies the control circuit, saving the need to cross the isolation boundary with, typically, and optocoupler.<br /><br />Kapton tape is about as useful for heat shielding as a t-shirt is for stopping bullets. It is moderately common as in inner layer in thermally conductive mounting pads for power semiconductors.<br /><br />Triple insulated wire generally allows better "window area fill" in small transformers. Creepage and clearance requirements apply in the transformer too. You can loose a lot of the bobbing width to this with ordinary magnet wire which is considered to have no insulation for safety purposes. With some VDE standards, you'd lose 4 mm at each end, which is a heck of a problem when the whole bobbing might only be 15 mm long.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-1903996386723283842018-02-27T18:41:10.502-08:002018-02-27T18:41:10.502-08:00I just wanted to comment on the 4 pin IC used in t...I just wanted to comment on the 4 pin IC used in the fake charger. ON Semiconductor has a 3 pin that looks like a Transistor but it's actually a 4 pin Ic thats looks very similar to the one used in the fake charger. It's model number is NCP1075. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328320824315844393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-35975619608723509922017-11-11T07:02:34.271-08:002017-11-11T07:02:34.271-08:00Hi Ken, I am using an original charger for my MacB...Hi Ken, I am using an original charger for my MacBook Air. Some times the charger "shuts off". The led on the connector does not light up at all. However, after a few minutes, I am able to use it. Could it be because of spike in voltage beyond 250V?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-90893546975170575892017-05-26T09:06:51.483-07:002017-05-26T09:06:51.483-07:00Anonymous: to take the charger apart, I use a 3/4&...Anonymous: to take the charger apart, I use a 3/4" wood chisel and hammer all around the seam to break the bond between the two halves. It sounds strange, but it works.Ken Shirriffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097301407311055124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-25549564201457686302017-05-25T15:32:03.397-07:002017-05-25T15:32:03.397-07:00How did you take apart the two halves? I have an ...How did you take apart the two halves? I have an issue with mine and would like to open it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-58796260318178332952017-03-16T07:29:38.100-07:002017-03-16T07:29:38.100-07:00Ken... DAMN good post and thanks for the excellent...Ken... DAMN good post and thanks for the excellent meaty engineering you provided. I just linked my Facebook friends to your post. First the eastern markets give us tainted food, then lead in toys and now this. I understand people want to make money with their products but these guys have crossed the line into social irresponsibility. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512060401236181530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-7583748042084226812016-09-18T16:03:06.559-07:002016-09-18T16:03:06.559-07:00Thanks for a brilliant article! Found it while loo...Thanks for a brilliant article! Found it while looking for a reason for the mains ripple buzz felt on my new-to-me iPad 4 case while charging.<br />Plugged the Lightning lead into different usb chargers - no buzz.<br />Opened the charger and your photo told me it's the genuine Apple charger.<br />At some point it's suffered moisture ingress to the pcb at the exact point where the 240V wires are soldered - live and neutral separated by only 4mm. <br />Genius.<br />Never ever had ripple through a usb lead before - ubiquitous with Apple products apparently.<br />Still, if Apple say it's normal...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-18900574537520054892016-07-05T17:06:57.861-07:002016-07-05T17:06:57.861-07:00Hi Ken!
There are a few points I'd like to me...Hi Ken!<br /><br />There are a few points I'd like to mention.<br /><br />1. Your use of "high voltage" versus "low voltage" isn't the right term in dealing with creepage or clearance. While there are distances between conductors the rules based solely on voltage are straightforward. I believe "primary" and "secondary" are better terms because that will indicate the requirement for isolation from the AC line.<br /><br />2. The enamel coating on the cheap transformer windings needs to only stand off the turn-to-turn voltage, except at the crossover. This isn't much voltage. And a single piece of tape can easily handle the crossover. Using triple insulation is a tool, not a requirement, and there are valid reasons for using it and valid reasons for avoiding it in any specific design. And each designer may have their own preferences. While it's unquestionable that triple-insulated wire will have a higher voltage breakdown, that does not mean it's less safe.<br /><br />3. Some transformers may not want to have tightly-coupled windings. In fact, flyback converters must have some substantial uncoupling to provide the primary inductance that stores energy. So using a sandwich construction may be a good design, or it may not be. It just depends on how the circuit is designed. In fact, avoiding a sandwich and intentionally separating the windings to increase inductance can be of great benefit if the flyback is designed to take advantage of that construction technique. While it does add more money, the cost is slight and doesn't reflect on the build quality or design. Most SMPS topologies want tightly coupled windings with tiny leakage inductances to avoid spikes, which is where sandwich construction is typically critical.<br /><br />You're doing great work here and I applaud your contributions to improving the internet's signal-to-noise ratio. Thanks!Evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16169950031633252100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-64997172365686191232015-10-14T04:26:26.687-07:002015-10-14T04:26:26.687-07:00very interesting article , never thought i would g...very interesting article , never thought i would get to see the internal part of charger..thanks for sharingravinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-39278225413328679232015-10-01T05:48:59.236-07:002015-10-01T05:48:59.236-07:00I REALLY love this series of breakdowns on the App...I REALLY love this series of breakdowns on the Apple chargers, etc. They not only provide a meaningful analysis of what a good component is - but make it clearer from a grand perspective - why and how these now-pedestrian, yet insanely complex devices are built the way they are. Cheers!Alex Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14875316786245869341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-62590786390794541002015-09-09T16:01:54.222-07:002015-09-09T16:01:54.222-07:00Thanks,
I purchased two of these counterfeit char...Thanks,<br /><br />I purchased two of these counterfeit chargers for my MacBook from eBay which is notorious for counterfeit electronic peripherals. At the time I didn't think it was counterfeit until I went through the first one in less than 3 months. It started making this "clicking" noise. So I figured maybe I burned it out or shorted it out by mistake. The second one, the cord didn't feel genius like the original. Luckily I kept the original charger that came with the MacBook and didn't throw it away. Make a long story short, the best way I can tell if a charger is real or not, is compare it with the original. If the other charger weighs less, then it more than likely is fake.Trevornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-84189861220123920902015-05-17T18:38:46.793-07:002015-05-17T18:38:46.793-07:00Thanks for the in-depth article. I was just about ...Thanks for the in-depth article. I was just about to crack open my Ipad 3 10W charger to check out the innards. Now I don't have to.<br />While these supplies are called Flyback ,Aurizon's comment about the old CRT scan circuits being the origin of the flyback designation. In those supplies the magnetic storage was primarily in the deflection yolk and the flyback pulse routed through the High Voltage transformer. These supplies have more in common with older automobile ignition systems than the CRT supplies.<br />to answer two queries above. The leakage current through the Apple supply is about 8 microamps at 60 hz 120 VAC. while at 400 hz while the noise factor and filtering will be markedly better, the AC leakagage through the Y caps will increase to nearly 46 microamps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-8789179535891772952015-04-03T14:38:51.802-07:002015-04-03T14:38:51.802-07:00I just want to know, of the knock-off brands, whic...I just want to know, of the knock-off brands, which are considered the better ones. Anyone?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06145152217118663558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-30383925507435750462015-02-27T02:53:22.767-08:002015-02-27T02:53:22.767-08:00Thanks for great and informative article!
I wonde...Thanks for great and informative article!<br /><br />I wonder if supplying a power to iPhone from any Mac has any difference comparing to wall chargers? All Macs since 2007 can add 500 mA to standard 500mA USB output for iPhone (and additional 1600mA for iPad!).<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-90560773831046845662015-02-20T15:51:33.608-08:002015-02-20T15:51:33.608-08:00Thanks for your article, very informative. I reall...Thanks for your article, very informative. I really like that you not only posted an opinion, but real facts. I have bought non-Apple cheap chargers in the past and when I opened one I realized it was different than the Apple original, I saw some of the differences you pointed out. But with your article I learned mode about that differences (specially the safety related ones). Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Regards, MV.<br />Mvaldeznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-74071921949132735132015-02-19T15:22:41.910-08:002015-02-19T15:22:41.910-08:00Apple doesn't seem to care about the 80% derat...Apple doesn't seem to care about the 80% derating rule. In products with universal input (for both US and Europe) the filtering capacitor after the bridge should have 450V voltage rating. This is the norm everybody follows, except cheap Chinese manufacturers. Apple too uses 400V.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6264947694886887540.post-88067965685532873882015-02-16T16:11:02.914-08:002015-02-16T16:11:02.914-08:00"Anonymous" above complained (understand..."Anonymous" above complained (understandably) about having to replace AC adapters 7 times. I'd be upset, too.<br /><br />That said, there's just no way that's normal. Something really bad is happening with your power, frying those adapters.<br /><br />I still have every iPod/iPhone AC adapter I've ever had, and none has ever failed. (That's something like 7 or 8 in all.) Nor have I ever heard of them failing from friends or acquaintances. This just isn't some widespread problem.<br /><br />Whatever the cause of the failures, it's not the build quality -- assuming you're talking about genuine Apple adapters, not counterfeit ones.tookihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103801212970697711noreply@blogger.com