iPhone electrocution stories

[dexters_lab]

seeing a load of stories like this:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/27/thai_man_dies_electrocution_iphone/

having been zapped a few times with 230v uk mains, it's not nice but i am still here, obviously the circumstances alter the outcome greatly but i'm still surprised there are deaths with burns etc. I realise that there are millions of them out there so there is a chance things like this could happen

so wanted to open a discussion about how death with burns etc could result from a faulty charger, it seems they are often reported while taking a call and charging at the same time...

[BravoV]

Another fake charger, no different from a "normal" electrocution incidents by a direct connection from the mains lines to the human body through the charger and the gadget, nothing new actually imo.

[Stonent]

As hard as I've tried, I've never managed to electrocute an iPhone owner.

[amyk]

He would've also needed to be grounded for the current to flow through him.

These stories seem to turn up every so often, but in comparison to all the other risks you take just by living through a regular day, being killed by your phone charger is miniscule.

(And electrically speaking, Thailand has a lot more of those dangers to worry about...)

[dexters_lab]

just seemed odd with the burns etc... like there must have been more going on than simple electrocution

hmm, guess without knowing the details it's a bit of a mute point!

[c4757p]

On his cement floor? If it's relatively fresh cement, or on a humid day, I can see it being conductive enough to release a few curse words, or maybe kill somebody with a heart condition or who is holding the phone in a very unfortunate way. But I refuse to believe that the cement conducted enough current to leave scorch marks. That is pure bullshit.

[G7PSK]

It takes a high current to cause burns by electrocution unless there is arcing. Whatever the cause it could only ocur where there is no RCD or similar device on the supply, for my part I am not going to Thailand or any where else where thay do not enforce strict power safety regulations. You have to wonder is it a case of murder and cover up by applying burns and putting an electrical device into the victims hands.

[macboy]

The fear of electrocution from dangerously designed and cheaply made 3rd party chargers is why Apple has offered to send a genuine one for free (you pay nominal shipping) in exchange for any knock-off.
http://www.apple.com/ca/support/usbadapter-takeback/

(edit: the exchange program is expired)

[G7PSK]

The fear of electrocution from dangerously designed and cheaply made 3rd party chargers is why Apple has offered to send a genuine one for free (you pay nominal shipping) in exchange for any knock-off.
http://www.apple.com/ca/support/usbadapter-takeback/

(edit: the exchange program is expired)

That's not surprising, after all who in their right mind with that offer would buy the genuine article, you buy the cheap knockoff then post it to Apple for the real thing.