iPhone Wall Charger/USB Power Adapter Fried while charging my iPad :-(

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › iPhone Wall Charger/USB Power Adapter Fried while charging my iPad :-(

nayakmalayin

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#63595 30-Jun-2010 16:28

iPad Charging Tip: Only user iPad Supplied 10W Charging Adapter.

I had issues while charing my new 64GB wi-fi iPad via USB, as numerous other users have as per many blogs/ forums. As I already have iphone3G, I have used the Charging tips from following link on Apple's site.

As I was not sure if I can use iPhone’s USB Adapter/ Wall Charger (bought from Apple store).

I have Apple iPhone Power Adapter / USB Wall Charger. iPad was charging via USB when it sync with iTunes on Macbook Pro. But when not synching, it doesn’t charge via USB always. Apple says, it is because of low power on USB 2.0 because of high power demand for iPad battery for charging.

Well on first 20 minutes it worked fine and charged my iPad upto 50% charge from 10%. Then it just blown / Fried my Adapter with big Spark & Sound.

On the same multi point power charger, I had other mobile charging as well as my Mac book Pro, Nothing happened to those and those kept charging as usual.

NO Power surge at that time, as the Multi charger have surge protector and that didn’t affect other chargers or charging devices.

However it fried my Apple iPhone wall charger/USB Power adapter. I have also posted in Apple Forum.
Photo Attached.
I Think, It exceeded the max rated wattage capability of the Iphone power adapter, which is only rated at 5V 1amp, so max ~5watts. It appears in this case the ipad hasn't regulated the power its drawing from the power supply and burned it out it should drop down to a 5V draw.

So according to Apple Tips this statement is misleading " iPad will also charge, although more slowly, when attached to a computer with a high-power USB port (many recent Mac computers) or with an iPhone Power Adapter."
Image Below:

josephhinvest

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#346702 30-Jun-2010 16:46

But when not synching, it doesn’t charge via USB always.

There's an interesting fact about USB ports on Apple portables that you may not come across, that would perhaps explain this issue, if it only occurs sometimes.
When a new or recent portable is booted up, the USB ports can be either high or low power, depending on which type of device is connected to it FIRST.
So if you connect a high power device to USB port A, then USB port A will be the high power USB port, and USB port B will be low power, until the machine is rebooted.

So one of your USB ports may be high power, and one low power, this can potentially change each time you restart your machine.

Cheers,
Joseph.

josephhinvest

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#346705 30-Jun-2010 16:54

Hmm, this is from the iPad Technician Guide...

IMPORTANT: Only use the 10W USB Power Adapter when charging iPad from a power outlet. While the Apple USB Power Adapter or iPod USB Power Adapter may appear to be compatible, their power output is not sufficient to charge the device. Note: The iPad 30-pin USB cable is interchangeable with the iPod/iPhone 30-pin USB cable.

alasta

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#346750 30-Jun-2010 18:57

jofizz: Hmm, this is from the iPad Technician Guide...

IMPORTANT: Only use the 10W USB Power Adapter when charging iPad from a power outlet. While the Apple USB Power Adapter or iPod USB Power Adapter may appear to be compatible, their power output is not sufficient to charge the device. Note: The iPad 30-pin USB cable is interchangeable with the iPod/iPhone 30-pin USB cable.

Can you confirm my understanding that it works fine in reverse? i.e. the iPad charger can charge an iPhone, but the iPhone charger can't charge an iPad.

nayakmalayin

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#346758 30-Jun-2010 20:01

Hi,
True its my fault to use iphone wall charger / USB Power adapter to charge ipad.
Thats how we learn I guess.
I confirm the reverse scenario works ok.
I have checked on many online forum/blogs. it is true that ipad USB power adapter works to charge iphone/ipod touch fine.
THis is just to let everyone of our friends know, so no one else will suffer like me.
Cheers

JaBZ

404 posts

Ultimate Geek

#346816 30-Jun-2010 22:55

c71931f:
jofizz: Hmm, this is from the iPad Technician Guide...

IMPORTANT: Only use the 10W USB Power Adapter when charging iPad from a power outlet. While the Apple USB Power Adapter or iPod USB Power Adapter may appear to be compatible, their power output is not sufficient to charge the device. Note: The iPad 30-pin USB cable is interchangeable with the iPod/iPhone 30-pin USB cable.

So basically, it's the OP's fault for using the iPhone wall charger to charge the iPad?

Well not entirely, thats the iPad Technician Guide, I guess something normal customers don't have access to.
The Apple support site http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060 with the iPad charging knowledge base article mentions as a tip that the iPhone power adapter can be used!! Normal customers do have access to read this!

My opinions and ideas expressed in posts are solely my own and do not reflect the views of my employer in any way..

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#347154 1-Jul-2010 23:08

Im not sure of the specs of both chargers, but i know that the ipad came with a higher ampage charger as it draws more amps to charge.

the charger does not provide current as such the device draws it.

so the iphone will be fine with an ipad charger.

i charge my ipod touch with a 2000mA charger that i put a usb socket on the end of. though am curently using the wall charger that came with my logitech mouse which is 1A. standard USB 2.0 is 500mA

LennonNZ

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#347155 1-Jul-2010 23:21

So apple say one thing in one place and say another thing in another place..

I would get it replaced under warrenty as http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060 says you can charge it (slowly) with an iPhone Charger. I think you just had a faulty power adapter whiick blew up..

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ahmad

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#347660 4-Jul-2010 12:49

If you were in the US this would have surely made major Tech blogs by now. Surprised to read this for the first time today and see that it was first raised almost a week ago!

Apple fried my USB adapter! Potentially could have burned house down.

revolushn

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#351940 15-Jul-2010 15:35

I'm surprised I haven't heard of this before now too. I would have thought LOADS of people would assume that you could use the iPhone/pod charger with the iPad..

Could it be to do with our 240v system that we haven't heard anything from the US before? I wouldn't have a clue..

What about all the third party chargers that are starting to be sold saying "charges iphone/ipod/ipad? I wonder how safe they will be..