Mac Mini - Lack of a Ground Plug

[novice_mac]

Hi,

I noticed my Mac Mini (2011) only uses a 2 prong plug. I didn't notice a grounded prong.

I remember reading on another forum that this is an intentional design - that somehow the mac mini's power supply and design compensates for not having a grounded plug.

Not being an Electrical Engineer, I thought I'd ask - is this true?


The reason I ask is because I charge my iPhone on my Mac Mini. Sometimes the lightning cable gets dust, debris on it so I use a microfiber cloth to clean it and I may have felt some ESD having come in contact with the lightning connector's metal. I was concerned I did damage to the Mac Mini, but was hoping the ground wire would offset the static. But wouldn't that only work if the Mac Mini was grounded?

 

[pigoo3]

Hi,

I noticed my Mac Mini (2011) only uses a 2 prong plug. I didn't notice a grounded prong.

I remember reading on another forum that this is an intentional design - that somehow the mac mini's power supply and design compensates for not having a grounded plug.

Not being an Electrical Engineer, I thought I'd ask - is this true?


The reason I ask is because I charge my iPhone on my Mac Mini. Sometimes the lightning cable gets dust, debris on it so I use a microfiber cloth to clean it and I may have felt some ESD having come in contact with the lightning connector's metal. I was concerned I did damage to the Mac Mini, but was hoping the ground wire would offset the static. But wouldn't that only work if the Mac Mini was grounded?

The charging plug or nub for the iPhone has only 2 prongs as well.

Same answer as I posted in your iPhone & static electricity thread. If this were an issue (considering the millions & millions of iPhones in the world)...we would know about it.

Not a problem or concern as far as I can tell.

- Nick

 

[novice_mac]

The charging plug or nub for the iPhone has only 2 prongs as well.

Same answer as I posted in your iPhone & static electricity thread. If this were an issue (considering the millions & millions of iPhones in the world)...we would know about it.

Not a problem or concern as far as I can tell.

- Nick

Oh! I just saw your reply on my other question. Thank you for both responses.

I think I overthink it - I have to wonder where that stray static electricity goes to, if the mac mini doesn't have a ground plug.

 

[pigoo3]

...I have to wonder where that stray static electricity goes to, if the mac mini doesn't have a ground plug.

It gets stored in a big black box at the bottom of the ocean (beneath the whale duty). When it gets full...the Earth explodes into a trillion-trillion pieces..then we don't need to worry about static electricity anymore!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

It gets stored in a big black box at the bottom of the ocean

Awww, come on Nick, you're spoofing the poor guy and we all know the surplus static flies up into the sky to help form and generate the Northern Lights. Gee.






- Patrick
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