Your cheap Apple charger could be 'life threatening'

Investigators have warned consumers they face potentially fatal risks

Third party chargers for Apple devices may come cheap, however a study now shows that these counterfeits may not be safe to use.

A study conducted by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) tested 400 counterfeit chargers for Apple devices and found out that only three had enough insulation against electronic shocks.

A second study also found out that out of 3019 second hand goods, 15 per cent were non-compliant. The lack of basic insulation against heat and sub par standards make these items very risky to use and potentially life-threatening.



Speaking to BBC, chief executive of CTSI Leon Livermore urged users to buy electric goods only from trusted buyers. "It might cost a few pounds more, but counterfeit and second-hand goods are an unknown entity that could cost you your home or even your life, or the life of a loved-one," he said.

How to spot a fake charger

CTSI has also highlighted a few tips for users to see whether the charger they are using is fake and unsafe. Users should first examine the charging pins and see if they meet the standard 9.5mm distance between the edges. A charger that does not fit easily into a socket would suggest that its charging pins may be of the wrong size.



Marking on the chargers can also show if a charger is fake. Look for a manufacturers' brand name or logo, model and batch number. Also check for CE safety mark, however this can be easily forged.

Users should also examine instructions feature on the charger that should include conditions and limitations of use, how to operate the charger safely, basic electric safety guidance and details of safe disposal.

This article originally appeared on BBC