Apple issued a voluntary recall this week of certain AC wall plug adapters because they may break and cause electrical shock when touched.
In a statement posted on their site, Apple said it's recalling AC wall plug adapters designed for users in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Continental Europe, New Zealand and South Korea. The recall also affects adapters sold in the United States as part of The Apple World Travel Adapter Kit sold for $29.
According to Apple, there were 12 incidents globally of defective adapters causing an electrical shock.
Apple stressed the recall "does not affect any other Apple AC wall plug adapters designed for Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, United Kingdom, United States or any Apple USB power adapters."
The two-prong adapters affected by the recall have either four, five, or no characters on an inside slot that connects to the primary power adapter. They shipped with certain Mac and iOS devices between 2003 and 2015. A redesigned and unaffected adapter has a three-letter regional code, like EUR, KOR, AUS, ARG or BRA, instead.
Round thin pins, slightly slanted inward | Round thick pins | Flat angled blades | Round thin pins |
Continental Europe | Korea | Australia New Zealand Argentina | Brazil |
Consumers who purchased the travel kit are urged to visit Apple's website to get it exchanged for a redesigned model. They can also exchange the adapter at a local Apple Store or an authorized Apple service provider.
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Although not common for the Cupertino giant, recalls have occurred before. In 2008, Apple launched the Power Adapter Exchange Program for the iPhone 3G power adapter, which also could break and create potential for electrical shock to users.