Apple will voluntarily recall AC wall plug adapters across its range of portable devices. The two-prong adapters if broken, in rare cases might create the risk of an electrical shock when touched.
The AC wall plug adapters are designed for use in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Continental Europe, South Korea and New Zealand. Apple recalled after admitting that few customers had received electric shock from the adapters.
According to The Wall Street Journal blog, Apple didn't say how many AC adapters would be included in the recall, but given the time span of the recalled hardware time, millions of them could be affected. These adapters were shipped with the "Apple Travel Adapter Kit" between 2003 and 2015. It was also shipped along with computers, tablets, iPhones etc.
The company said in a statement that, "Because customer safety is the company's top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using affected plug adapters." The company said it was aware of 12 "incidents" worldwide, however it's not clear whether this involved customers' actually suffering electric shocks as a result of the adapters breaking, said The Sydney Morning Herald.
This has occurred as Apple began shipping remodeled versions of the adapters at an unknown date. Thus, not all Apple wall adapters that attaches to the power brick is affected. Some of the square shaped redesigned adapters are understood to not be affected by the recall. While the round shaped, as the majority of them are, you can determine whether it's affected by removing it from the power brick and checking the underside.
Business Standard reported that, people were advised to stop using the adapters and bring them to an Apple shop for replacement. Also, the recall did not affect Apple power adapters tailored for Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Britain or the US.
Apple is encouraging customers to make an appointment at a Genius Bar and exchange the faulty adaptors. Customers need to get their relevant device serial number and take it to an Apple Store. Also,If there is a country code written on the underside instead, e.g. AUS or EUR, then this is a newer model and is not affected.
Also, those who have been injured by a product or who have personally suffered loss or damage as a result of a defective product, can bring an action for compensation on a number of grounds. These include negligence or a breach of Australian consumer law.
Previously, Apple recalled iPhone power adapters which were sold in some countries after it was found that the prongs would snap off and expose the users to the risk of electric shock.
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