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   Apple Taking Back Third-Party USB Power Adapters

   Josh Centers

   From 16 August 2013 through 18 October 2013, Apple [1]will be accepting
   and recycling third-party USB power adapters for the iPhone, iPad, and
   iPod at Apple retail stores and authorized service providers. Apple
   will also replace the third-party adapters, which usually cost at least
   $19, for $10 (or the equivalent in other countries). However, you must
   bring in the associated device, and Apple will replace only one adapter
   per device. Apple's Web site [2]shows examples of what official Apple
   adapters look like.

   The trade-in program comes after a couple of distressing news reports
   from China. [3]A 23-year-old Chinese woman was killed via an electric
   shock after answering her iPhone 5, and separately, [4]a 30-year-old
   Chinese man was put into a coma after being shocked by a charging
   iPhone 4. In both cases, the victims were using unauthorized power
   adapters.

   While alarming, U.S. readers shouldn't panic. The power outlets into
   which you'd plug a USB power adapter in the United States are only 120
   volts, while Chinese outlets are 220 volts. In the United States,
   220-volt outlets are usually reserved for major appliances and
   industrial equipment. Speaking from personal experience, a 120-volt
   shock is distressing, but usually not lethal.

   Regardless, if you own an unauthorized and potentially dangerous USB
   power adapter, it's worth $10 and a trip to an Apple Store to trade it
   in for an Apple power adapter.

References

   1. http://www.apple.com/support/usbadapter-takeback/
   2. http://www.apple.com/power-adapters/
   3. http://www.ibtimes.com/family-claims-iphone-5-killed-daughter-electrocution-apple-investigate-1346177
   4. http://www.ibtimes.com/iphone-electrocution-puts-man-coma-unauthorized-apple-charger-blame-1353435

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