Posted on 07/15/2013 2:55:16 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Technology giant Apple has confirmed it will carry out a "full investigation" of reports that a Chinese woman was killed by electrocution when answering a call on her iPhone while it was recharging.
(Excerpt) Read more at onenewspage.com ...
About the only way I can see this happening is if she was using the phone connected to the charger while taking a bath or shower. In which case, it’s a Darwin Award thing.
It’s low voltage DC, how does that kill someone?
I call B.S.
A current sufficient to ‘electrocute’ you would have fried the wires off the charger long before you would have been killed by it.
Not to mention the fact that the charger supplies low voltage and low current...
Oh no! I do this ALL THE TIME. This is disturbing.
Was she taking a bath or maybe brushing her teeth?
Sure it wasn’t an “iFone”?
After I posted I thought the same thing.
But, i can see it being possible to draw a higher current if she were in the bath.
Still, sumpin ain’t right.
More info (bath mentioned in comments section): http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/chinese-flight-attendant-electrocuted-iphone-5-article-1.1398925
Picture of the decedent: http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1398924.1373902196!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/shock16n-1-web.jpg
“Its low voltage DC, how does that kill someone?”
The Apple charger, like other USB type chargers provide 5V dc to the device through a USB cable. This 5V dc power could be referenced to nothing (floating) or it could be referenced to the power line neutral which is normally connected to earth ground at the service entrance.
If for some reason the wires going to the outlet box are reversed, this could make the USB connector be referenced to 120V AC or 240V AC, depending on the country. (in the US it would be 120, I don’t know what it is where she lived.
And, this could kill you... However, she would have been killed by improper wiring, not the device.
If this were really a common problem, you'd have heard about many more cases.
Quite obviously, there was Sum Ting Wong with that device!
I read an article over the weekend which said a poll (Harris, I think)showed 10 percent of Americans used their cell phone while engaged in sexual activities. 70% kept it within 5 feet of their person at all times. I don’t recall the exact number but 2 or 3% used in while bathing/showering.
I’ve seen many people use their cells while charging. I do, but I use a headphone and keep the phone away from my head, mostly because I don’t trust the cell companies saying their is no radiation danger.
Yes, this lady was very unlucky.
Sum Ting Wong, for sure.
This is a good chance at leaving an inheritance.
"I tell ya, my wife likes to talk during sex. Last night, she called me from a motel..."
Heh, good old Rodney...:)
Don’t taze me, iphone!
Ahh, too funny! One of his classics. Thanks for the reminder.
Now let me introduce the iPhone 6 with a 20% whiter case! Only $800!
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