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Comment by zz865 | Hacker News Reader

I've seen many house fires over the last few years that were from chargers. I'd hope risk of bursting into flames is one of the most important things when choosing - it freaks me out. I'd hope the big brands have 0% chance of this - is that correct?

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This is what sketches me out so much about electronics like chargers by random brands on Amazon (the trend lately seems to be random characters in all caps) that surely have no oversight or conformance to standards.

I have seen the result of two mobile chargers blow up in the office - the fire was only prevented by fuses and even so there were black scorch marks on the power outlets. My dads battery charger blew up similarly.

In all cases it was because they were brought cheap on Aliexpres. I haven't seen any chargers sold elsewhere have any issues. The closest thing I got was when I charged my laptop on my bed and had put the blanket over the charger - it didn't fail but it got really, really, really hot.

So based on anecdata: don't buy things things to stick in walls on aliexpress. Also fuses are really nice.

A lot of the chargers and cables you find in gas stations and the like are identical to the AliExpress junk, so it’s a good idea to be wary of those too.

Stuff like this is surely part of why modern tech companies design their products to not be opened any more.

Its been a while but my first macbook charger came close to setting a fire I think. I smelled something as I passed my bedroom, and found that the computer charger was smoking. I unplugged it from the computer/wall and put it in my sink and things were fine, but it definitely freaked me out. I haven't had similar issues since, but every single one of my dozen or more since have frayed _very_ quickly relative to other cords/chargers I use.

Apple Macbook charger was the only one charger in my life which released magic smoke. I must admit that it was after I soldered new cable and assembled it with duct tape (because it was glued and I broke the plastic casing trying to pry it off), but that does not inspire much confidence in me anyway. I don't know why everyone prays Apple hardware which was so terrible in my life in so many occasions and the only reason I tolerate it is their good software.

You're blaming Apple for a charger that you took apart, soldered, and then put back together with duct tape, Elmer's and prayers?

Of course I do. It's unreliable, unrepairable and outright dangerous to use. I repaired plenty of devices before and Apple is worst of them all.

LOL. This is sarcasm, right?

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