EEVblog #388 - Fake Apple USB Charger Teardown - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 11:36:50 am
content: Dave.

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 11:48:42 am
content: No wonder people get killed with those cheapo powers.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 11:58:31 am
content: No wonder most more advanced phones wouldn't accept a charge without having the UI going all wonky (Sensation and counting only my original LG Optimus would accept a charge no problem)Even charging a portable speaker is a problem, the noise it couples through to the ground plane while my phone is plugged in makes my phone go wonkyLack of filtering and lack of a bridge rectifier = DOUBLE TROUBLE

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:06:51 pm
content: Understand you're a "pro" ranter though, but c'mon Dave, 15 minutes duration should be enough to include some quick & fast measurement say at your scope on these crap charger output to let your audience see apart from the poor build, also how bad they are at their output to give the complete story. Just a suggestion.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:12:45 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 20, 2012, 12:06:51 pmI agree. I frowned the moment i saw the video is only 16 minutes, I knew it was rushed. Would have loved to see something similar to Mike's teardown, where he put some load and showed voltage dropping just from the length of the cables, not to mention the load amount... and heat going up in those transistors.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:25:59 pm
content: i would trust it any further than i could shove it up the designers arsethey do indeed kill this woman bought a gameboy charger for her son which killed himhttp://www.destructoid.com/young-boy-dies-from-gameboy-charger-29079.phtml

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:26:54 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on November 20, 2012, 12:12:45 pmSorry, I didn't have time to do it.There is always the opportunity for another video you know, it's not the end of the world...Dave.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:31:26 pm
content: it could be the end of the world, if you bought those apple chargers

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 12:49:44 pm
content: One thing -- that 4R7 resistor probably ties into the base of that NPN through another resistor.It's a ringing choke converter (two-transistor) and when well designed they can be a low cost alternative, unfortunately in most cases the cost cutting means they often fail. They are suitable for things like LEDs, but not suitable for delicate electronics. And by the time you've designed a really reliable one... you may as well just use a controller IC.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 02:16:42 pm
content: Do the AC prongs come off these clone chargers just by tugging, like early Apple ones and other cheap clones?

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:08:10 pm
content: It is obvious that the small creepage distance is the one hung lo version of a safety device, get the distance small enough so that if you get a power surge it flashes over, saves on a spark gap.

author: Winston
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 03:08:55 pm
content: Before you tore them down, I noted that even the "better" charger had to be a fake. Note the wording of the CAUTION message. They omitted the "mation" portion of "infor-mation." At least the worse looking charger got it more correct, but they still didn't use a hyphen as they should have to split "infor" and "mation," probably because they incorrectly perceived them as two different words.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 06:04:51 pm
content: Quote from: Sionyn on November 20, 2012, 12:25:59 pmFrom that article:QuoteHow many documented instances of lethal injury have occurred from these cheap chargers, relative to how many are in use? I'd think the actual (vs. perceived) risk is a lot lower than the big companies etc. would want you to think... and lots of people seem to have no trouble withgetting around using one of the most dangerous means of transport.The problem seems to be that these things are either ultra-cheap or ultra-expensive; there's nothing in between, and so tons of people are willing to take the risk.The lack of a fuse/fusible resistor does scare me a bit, however.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 06:10:28 pm
content: Quote from: Winston on November 20, 2012, 03:08:55 pmA hyphen in information would also ring alarm bells.

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 06:13:46 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 20, 2012, 12:26:54 pmDo it before Dec 21th 2012 !!!!David.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:14:32 pm
content: Quote from: DavidDLC on November 20, 2012, 06:13:46 pmOH SHIT!!!Dave.

author: PChi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:30:40 pm
content: Thanks for the tear down.Definitely a 'Don't turn it on take it apart' (then throw it away). A fire and electrocution hazard.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:34:11 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on November 20, 2012, 06:04:51 pmWho knows?But something else is apparent. A local newspaper recently published the first preliminary statistics for 2012 regarding causes of fires in this area, based on data collected by the fire brigades and inspector. We have an almost 10% year over year increase in fires caused by electrical appliances of all kinds. A trend continuing from previous years.From that you can say there is certainly coming a lot of dangerous crap from China, and it is not harmless.QuoteAnd ultra-expensive doesn't guarantee quality. You might still get crap. It could be genuine crap or counterfeit crap, but just because it is expensive doesn't mean you won't get crap.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:40:48 pm
content: If I need a cheap USB supply, I'll buy something like a used charger for an Android phone. HTC one for example is available for about £3.I'm sure it's possible to produce something low cost and reliable -- problem is, it's hard to compete with "absolute cheapest".

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 09:44:48 pm
content: Like the apple one, still a crap charger by any standards just look at the SAMXON caps! Bound to fail!That thing just terrifies me, well, it costs 30$If i wanted a USB supply a HTC one is excellent as well as a LG one that i use to charge my HTC (Uhuh ... yeah)

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2012, 11:34:47 pm
content: Apple's new iMacs have been seen with Taicon! and Ltec!!! Both have been seen failing in large numbers. Profit-squeezing bastards...

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 12:01:02 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 20, 2012, 12:06:51 pmIt's just a teardown! Without even thinking hard I can envision in my crystal brain: 1V+pp ripple, kHz+ noise, volts dropping 1% per mAI see a theme of impatience sometimes, "Dave do this! this!", I assume this is good as it'll spawn people wanting to actually make blogs about that stuff when Dave can't do "everything". He's just a guy with a scopeok...more like 20.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 12:03:11 am
content: I don't understand..How much more would it cost for 3 more bloody diodes?

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 12:04:14 am
content: here the full story from a bbc program about the fake gameboy chargerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9BZPadQuC8c#t=107s

author: kaindub
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 03:05:24 am
content: One charger has Australian pins, so I assume its targeted at Australia.It fails because Australian market plugs need to have a plastic ring about 50mm diameter around the pinsIts to stop fingers going behind the plug and touching the pins when its plugged in.

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 03:22:41 am
content: Quote from: kaindub on November 21, 2012, 03:05:24 amIt's more likely targeted for the China market. Chinese plugs/sockets have the same layout as the Australian's.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 04:26:37 am
content: Quote from: TriodeTiger on November 21, 2012, 12:01:02 amThat's my world!http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_thingsI don't mind people suggesting things for future videos, e.g. "I'd love to see some load measurements of this in another video"But it can be quite disheartening when you continually get comments the likes of "I'm disappointed in this video, I expected this and that, why didn't you do this" etc, and they thumb it down just because you didn't do something they wanted.That's the kind of stuff that leads to a "PhotonicInduction"Dave.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 04:28:27 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 21, 2012, 04:26:37 amYou're many things, Dave, but you're not a drama queen on his level.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 04:53:18 am
content: Quote from: T4P on November 20, 2012, 09:44:48 pmNeither of the chargers in the video was an Apple charger. Both were fakes and neither cost anything near $30.You can see if you follow the link in the description that the genuine iPhone charger has a different and very sophisticated design with many clever features.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 08:21:04 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 21, 2012, 04:26:37 amGrowing thicker skin is part of basic requirements in this kind of biz, other wise you've taken the wrong decision in your career. The bigger audiences you have, the thicker you need to grow it.Also sometimes swallowing a bit of own pride and the bitterness of criticisms (especially the constructive ones), is like having a smack at the head for a wake up call from complacency.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 08:28:18 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 21, 2012, 04:53:18 amI was looking at the teardown of the real one. That one has a badcap right where it matters the most, output!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 09:18:39 am
content: Here is a link to a very detailed tear down that I found on the web.This is genuine Apple power supply that is dissected.http://www.arcfn.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 11:26:42 am
content: That's the same page as in the blog post

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 11:08:41 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on November 20, 2012, 09:34:11 pmFrom that?So you have surmised that it only cheap & nasty Chinese product that causes fire from that? I call flawed assumption!Where is your evidence that all these faulty plug-packs etc, are of Chinese origin? How do you support your inference that Chinese manufacture equals cheap & nasty. You prime source of statistics being some "Local Newspaper", authoritative stuff that! Why not switch on some tabloid television too, they run this kind of crap at least monthly. Who needs standards and test labs when we have cadet journalists right?You need to think back to this quote from Monty Python which demonstrates the absence of wisdom in your wild assumptions."Fish live in the sea!" "Carp are fish!" "Therefore all fish are carp!"Sure there is a lot of rubbish coming out of China, as well as some quality product. This is a fact which prevails throughout most of Asia. Once again you are putting Xenophobia before fact or reason!"Made in China" does not instantly signify quality nor does it automatically equal death-trap. Lets face it if you were to solely rely on product from your own land, the technical pinnacle for most, would be the Austin Allegro and the open wire kettle. Safety plus, indeed!

author: Dread
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 12:05:51 am
content: Hi DaveThanks for the video, it was entertaining but like many other viewers I wish you had shown a true side by side comparison with Scopes/Load/Multimeter etc. of the Cheapo vs the real thing.If you are going to do a new video let me just add a few suggestions that will make it even more useful.Have a real one on HandAnd here is something you might want to let the viewers know:If a person wants to know if they have a real one versus a knock off I know a few methods that anyone can try. I will list them from the least reliable to the Most.1) The Label Info2) The Balancing trick, the real one can stand up on its plug connectors with ease when put on a level table. The Fake ones are almost impossible to make them stand up. Sometimes it can be done but it takes many tries, while the real Apple ones do it on almost the first try every time.3) The Weight: A real charger weighs 23.07 Grams and the Fake ones vary all over the place. I have one of the Cheapos that is exactly the same one you used in the video marked “made by Apple”, it weighs 19.56 Grams. If you don't have access to a precision scale just pop by your local Pharmacy or Jewelry Store and explain that your trying to find out if you bought a real one or Fake and they will almost certainly weigh it for you.4) Connect it to a scope and the real one has almost no ripple or noise, the fake has a nice big layer of noise.5) Connect a Load and the real one will go up to 1100ma and maintain aprox 5V but the fake ones tend to drop off between 300ma and 500ma of load depending on the AC supply. At 110V they only go up to 300-400ma and 220V gets you 450ma to 600ma before the voltage starts to plunge.Those are the five best tests to know the real from fake (apart from opening and ruining the unit).For people who don't have any electronics background or equipment the best test is number 3. Almost all the fakes vary from Apples standard 23g weight and it's pretty easy to get it measured precisely.Robert

author: timelessbeing
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 05:40:32 am
content: I must have bought the deluxe wun hung lo charger. It has FULL-wave rectification!

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 06:01:09 am
content: Quote from: Dread on November 23, 2012, 12:05:51 amLooks like i got one the worst ones! It weighs 30 gramsI don't even need to plug it into a scope, my portable speaker tells the whole story!Oh, the 30g one i got can actually charge my phoneI give you : the blown up ones!

author: timelessbeing
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 06:20:38 am
content: Uncle Vernon:Of course, not every single thing made in China is crap. Nobody is retarded enough to claim that. But spare me the PC jingo. China specializes in cheap imitations. EU import statistics prove this. They even have their own term for it: Shanzhai.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 06:47:39 am
content: Quote from: timelessbeing on November 23, 2012, 06:20:38 amWasn't that what I had stated previously?QuoteOh, I wouldn't be too sure about that.QuoteYou could spare yourself lots of bother by obtaining a clue.QuoteChina produces, what its market demands, it has beaten the world in terms of low cost manufacture.QuoteWell bully for the EU. While they've been busy creating mountains of useless statistics, pointless legislation and meaningless standards, China and India and most of Asia has been busy actually making and selling stuff! With both the genuine item and the imitations originating in China, anyone using country of origin as a determinant of quality is making themselves look like a rank tool.

author: timelessbeing
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 07:09:48 am
content: Yah meaningless standards about poisonous chemicals and electrical safety regulations. Who needs their health anyway right.Sometimes, Chinese stuff is so bad, the problem isn't that it functions poorly, it's that it doesn't stand a hope of working. I call these deliberate deceptions "pretend products".I don't care if keep your head up yer arse, but if anything makes you look like a tool, it's your personal attacks.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 07:24:26 am
content: Quote from: timelessbeing on November 23, 2012, 07:09:48 amWho needs a bunch of self important garlic eaters incapable of managing their own economies, setting standard for them?QuoteSome Chinese stuff isn't and some Chinese stuff is of serviceable quality. You may be slow on the uptake, so I repeat again for your benefit. Country of Origin is not the sole determinant of quality or usability!QuoteThat's good, but you need to realise how much I care about, what you care about! Nof do I care about the personal insults or profanities you believe necessary to bolster your lack of reasoned or rational thought.QuoteYou're the one making the insults persomal. (see above) But if the shoe fits, and you can identify yourself within a generalised criticism then that's your issue. I cannot help it if you choose to be thick!

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 07:31:27 am
content: Not sure, but if many of you think that bashing certain country, because they're producing dodgy stuff is unique and new, trust me, nothing new about this at all.Just ask your parent or grand parents, this kind of bashing has been for ages ....60's - Damn Japanese clone, why we still buying this shitty stuff, next time buy anything made in German .....70's - Step over my dead body 1st before you bring those "Made in Hongkong" shit in here.....80's - Why these days we almost bumped into these shit labelled "Made in Taiwan" or "Korea" almost every where ? ....90's - Just couldn't stand it anymore, I want a native English staff for this telephone support call , not someone lives thousand miles away speaking English with "Indian" accent clown, anyway, these clowns are robbing "our" IT people's job as well.2000's - ..as seen in familiar video blog"made in German"... <two thumbs up> .......what ? made in China .... ... <thumb down> .... "damn chinese " .........

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 09:08:47 am
content: Rigol is made in china isn't it? But they're now up there with the big names in terms of qualityDave noted that too

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 09:52:56 am
content: Quote from: T4P on November 23, 2012, 09:08:47 amWhen something good comes out of China, I say so. And lots of good stuff comes out of China. Every product gets judged on it's merits.The reason I harp on about China a lot is because it'sboring. I don't want everything in the world to be made in China. I want other countries to keep their manufacturing capability too. Which is why I get as much of my uCurrent made here or outside of China, and get a nice little feeling when I see something that's not made in China.Dave.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 10:46:18 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 23, 2012, 07:31:27 amEventhe West was like this before.I think the Chinese would still be selling completely unisolated supplies if they could get away with it.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 02:38:55 pm
content: China is good at low cost manufacture. Depending on who makes it it can be low cost and good or low cost and junk. Plenty of labour, and a lot of it being skilled does do wonders.

author: timelessbeing
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 06:25:44 pm
content: I had big problems with my macbook adapter. (am currently using a cheap Chinese knockoff because I don't feel like paying $80 for a crApple one.) I just decided to look in their online store to see if they've come down in price at all. They haven't and all their adapters have two stars or less. People hate these things!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2012, 10:28:26 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 23, 2012, 09:52:56 amThat's it in a nutshellQuoteI agree entirely. and although China (as a nation) has contributed with exchange rate manipulation,it is a world problem and a problem created by the importing countries and consumers.There are / have been / and hopefully will be Chinese readers and participants on this and other forums. if those guys cannot cope with some Wun-Hung-Lo references that is tough, it's a big bad world no PC required. It is an entirely different matter however to see reader comments like "all Chinese are thieves", that is truly ignorant and offensive.Having to deal with legions of buyers always trying always to drive your minuscule margins below cost would make anyone a tough negotiator and will necessitate a lot of cost and corner cutting in any design.The reason we have retailers shelves full of Chinese made crap is because we the consumers demand it. Ask retailer how well sales will go for quality product at a 30 to 100% price premium and you soon realise what sells. It's not the fault of the Chinese or of any other low cost manufacturer.QuoteNice if you can do it, but hardly changing the world. While I'll commend any efforts to support local and diverse industry it remains a drop in the bucket compared to the political efforts to drive industry out of the country, to turn the place into a quarry with bike paths.Good luck selling Aussie made plug pack supplies at under $100 and making a profit from them, it wont happen. Worker rights and environmental considerations are not part of that purchase decision. We are happy to remain oblivious to all the factors that contribute to our being able to buy junk at low low prices.It's not China's fault it's ours!

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 01:07:22 am
content: I agree.... but I think it may be fixable, it's just going to be painful.Thinking about it from a purely economic standpoint: work in China is cheap because it is valued as being worth very little compared to other work. But, despite earning less than ~$15 per day average, they are able to afford rent, electricity, food, water, etc. Certainly not a premium lifestyle -- but FAR more than what $15 would purchase elsewhere.Why is this? Perhaps because everyone is earning more the value of real work (assembly/production) has gone down to the point at which it doesn't pay enough. But I think that's only happened because we've been willing to get rid of the manufacturing base for cheaper competition overseas. If we still had that, the value of real work would increase, people would be paid more overall and yes while products would be more expensive, people would have more money to spend on them so the increase wouldn't be so noticeable. Once we have more supply, the prices will fall to the point the market will bear and at which employees will be willing to work for.Problem is, if it were to be fixed... it would mean that we'd probably have at least a few years -- probably decades -- of economic gloom... It would have to be done very slowly. Politicians probably wouldn't support it.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 01:28:15 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on November 24, 2012, 01:07:22 amNever said it wasn't fixable! Is the pain of putting things right worse than the pain of watching them deteriorate?QuoteI don't agree it would be gloom other than for a select few, fostering real efficiency and real productivity does not have to be painful at all. Less of the nanny state and an environment where individuals can prosper from their own enterprise is all that is required.QuoteBegs the question, why the hell are we are supporting politicians who don't!

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 01:41:08 am
content: It seems the majority of the population don't like either of the two parties.However, we're drawn to decide which one to vote, because they're less evil than the other party. We are constantly voting red or blue. You are either supporting the red team or blue team. Neither brings much progress, just more fighting with the other side.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 08:51:29 am
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on November 23, 2012, 10:28:26 pmWell said UV !Sometimes its so funny to read people are complaining bout this thing like there is no bodies of authority at their own country say like import customs & inspection, import control and etc. Heck, its even easier to elect/vote for their own gov or political representative that will enforce a full embargo on everything produced from China if needed.I guess all of this noises its just the matter of the need for whining.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 12:24:26 pm
content: Thing is -- it's virtually impossible to avoid stuff made in China. But I do my part by rarely buying new, always buying used or faulty. My monitor (thrown out by my workplace) and computer have most parts made in China, but repaired in UK.

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 01:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: Uncle VernonI am Chinese and I don't have a problem with the one hung lo references. I simply take it as a general term for the low quality low standard manufacturers which certainly are in no shortage in China.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 02:07:20 pm
content: Quote from: iloveelectronics on November 24, 2012, 01:00:50 pmHave you seen any changes in the labor in China ? I am wondering how the increase of jobs and people now having more money to improve their lifestyle is changing what manufacturers have to pay for labor . As a population gains experience and knowledge it becomes harder to tell them , this is all you can get.

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 02:45:08 pm
content: Quote from: ptricks on November 24, 2012, 02:07:20 pmWell, I live in Hong Kong so I'm not entirely sure of the changes in labour in mainland China. But as far as I know wages have been increasing and margins shrinking (rather quickly) for the factory owners. Plus the Chinese currrency is slowly creeping up in value so I imagine at some point down the road Chinese products won't be as cheap as they are today. Whether that will mean a shift to a more quality centric production for a premium I'm not sure.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2012, 10:54:08 pm
content: FUUUUUUUUUUU----So basically I made a follow up video trying to see how these type of junk chargers behave under load (fairly limited test with my limited equipment) but I forgot to select the right audio source on my capture tool. So I got two nice mute videos of me fiddling around on my bench.Guess I have to retake the video and post it here later.*SIIIIIGH*

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2012, 11:08:05 pm
content: Quote from: LEECH666 on November 29, 2012, 10:54:08 pmBeen there, done thatOr have the 3.5mm external mic plug not fully inserted and you get massive 50Hz hum over all your audio.Why not just do a voice-over? No need to reshoot the video.Dave.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2012, 11:23:26 pm
content: I was sure this has happend to you before. I don't really take videos like that that often.Well anyway I am already done with the retake. Squeezed it into ~7 minutes. Hehe, the first time I am satisfied with the take (no editing needed).Well I need to reencode this now and then upload it to Youtube. That might take a while.Cheers,Florian

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2012, 11:52:26 pm
content: Still uploading, but here is the link anyway.I really need to build up a dummy load soon. :S

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2012, 07:28:11 am
content: I cam across another one of these chargers. This model even has a tiny little full wave rectifier on board, but is pretty crappy as well.Anyway, I know there is another video of Dave encountering a "ChongX" brand capacitor.Does anyone know which video this is? I can't seem to find it anymore.Cheers,Florian

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2012, 09:52:13 pm
content: ChongX caps are pretty poor, have seen them fail in some cheapo LCD TVs...

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2012, 12:48:57 am
content: I sometimes rewatch Daves videos just for certain comedic moments. The first "Chong" cap encounter was one of those moments for me that made laugh. That's why I asked for the video.I remember the part in the video like this: Dave opens a device and comes across the Chong cap and says "Chong, yeah im not gonna trust that one as far as I can throw it." But I might remember it incorrectly.It's not the charger video, so if anyone knows which video that was in, please tell me.Cheers,Florian

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2013, 05:38:07 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on November 21, 2012, 09:18:39 amOn the same website/blog I happened to find today a nice comparison of 12 different USB chargers:http://www.arcfn.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html

author: pussyfoot
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 25, 2013, 05:41:44 pm
content: After watching this video, I now know what a bad USB charger looks like. What I want to learn is what makes a GOOD usb adapter. Is there a schematic with explanation of what makes a good one? The same would apply to a DC-DC converter for a car. I'll build my own converters if need be, but I don't want to make the same mistakes.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2013, 07:29:15 pm
content: QuoteSome of the important things is a good distance between mains and low voltage side, if the PS uses a chip, instead of only a transistor, it will also be considerable better.I did measure and disassemble on a load of them, you can see the result here:http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/usbPowerSupplyTest%20UK.html.

author: HP-ILnerd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2014, 02:05:48 am
content: Here's a recent injury from my neck of the woods due to a knockoff charger obtained on ebay:http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25113149/knock-off-iphone-charger-leaves-man-with-electrical-burn-infection

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2014, 01:24:57 pm
content: Hackaday featured another counterfeit Apple charger teardown:http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.htmlVery detailed teardown, with measuring the voltage noise, unwinding the transformers and even with a die photo of some very cheap, but interesting, flyback controller IC (at the end of the article).I wonder why there is a slot cut at one place in the fake charger, but then they ruined it at another place with just 0.6 mm gap between high and low voltage. They could have produced it even cheaper without any slot cut, with the same non-existing safety.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 01:26:42 pm
content: Some information about quality Apple chargers:http://www.apple.com/uk/support/usbadapter-european/I have one of these chargers (I guess it was the standard model in Europe for 3 years) and I will replace it. The problem is most certainly not as worse as the problems in the fake charger, and an important difference compared to fake sellers is that Apple takes responsibility for their products and replaces it, but still not good that even original Apple chargers were unsafe.

author: hikariuk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 03:47:53 pm
content: Quote from: FrankBuss on June 28, 2014, 01:26:42 pmAll of mine are the 10W modular ones you can change the connector on (A1357), which I really like because they're great for travel - you just switch the wall connector on it.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 11:10:28 pm
content: This topic just resurfaced over at arduino.cc too. It resurfaced there because of a very sad story out of Australia of a woman being electrocuted by a bad knockoff charger. I figured it resurfaced, almost resurrected here, at the same time because of that story. But, I don't see that story listed here so I will repost it:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2671493/Woman-dies-electrocuted-headphones-plugged-laptop.htmlArduino.cc post:http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=251903.0I hope my cheap-ass Adafruit wall warts are safe.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 11:43:38 pm
content: Quote from: JoeN on June 30, 2014, 11:10:28 pmThere is already a thread about this here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/warning-over-usb-chargers-after-woman-dies-from-apparent-electrocution/QuoteDon't turn it on, take it apart, and post pictures

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 02:53:49 am
content: Quote from: FrankBuss on June 30, 2014, 11:43:38 pmYou know what, I did my due diligence before posting that by searching for the keywordelectrocutionin the search box (top right) and it did not come up, I guess because it is in topic title rather than the text. I guess I should not rely on that feature, it must have been written by the intern...

author: classical
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:14:58 am
content: Some measurements and a teardown of a true Apple charger bought from Apple web shop:http://lygte-info.dk/review/USBpower%20Apple%20USB%20power%20adapter%20UK.htmlA very advanced and expensive design.Btw that website contains a lot of valuable tets of USB chargers, accu chargers, accus and flashlights.

author: leroy_is_brown
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 02:01:02 am
content: Quote from: LEECH666 on December 10, 2012, 12:48:57 amI was watching some old videos and I remembered this thread from ages ago. I think I've come across the one you're looking for -at about 30:10. Dave's tearing down a USB Power adapter from that came with one of those cheap pocket DSO's. I know you you mean about these moments, classic stuff.CheersLee