Mac Notebooks: Avoiding MagSafe Power Adapter Cable Failure

Apple Support says proper usage, care, and maintenance of Your Mac notebook’s MagSafe power adapter can substantially increase the the adapter’s service life.

Of course, MagSafe itself is an Apple technology that can be expected to prevent a lot of cable stress and damage. Sadly, the new 12-inch Retina MacBook is an indication that Apple is fixing to dump MagSafe and have a do-all USB-C port handle charge input on future Apple laptops.

Meanwhile, if you are MagSafe-equipped, while the MagSafe power adapter is designed to travel with your Mac laptop, Apple notes that certain usage patterns or habits can contribute to fraying and breaking of cables, and the MagSafe adapter cable, like any other metal wire or cable, is subject to becoming weak or brittle if repeatedly bent in the same spot.

Apple says the most important way to maintain adapter health is to regularly inspect the cables, connectors, and the adapter itself for any kinks, breaks, bends, or other damage. Should you find any such damage, discontinue use of the adapter, which could damage your MacBook’s internal electronics if it shorts out or arcs due to cable damage. Your reporter once fried a Pismo PowerBook’s power manager board by plugging its power adapter into a bad extension cord that arced.

Apple recommends, for example, that when unwrapping the cord from the adapter, be sure to support the weight of the adapter. If the connector is held and the weight of the adapter is used to unfurl the cable, the cable or the adapter itself could be damaged.

Also, coil the cable loosely rather than energetically wrapping it around the power brick when packing up for storage or going mobile.

For many more tips and illustration of wrong ways vs. right ways to avoid damage to your MagSafe cables and adapter, visit:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201600

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