How do I handle exposed live 240v pins on an iPhone charger?

First of all, if any part is still connected to the AC wall socket, immediately switch off electricity via a main circuit breaker/switch/fuse. Make sure that nothing can be touched by anyone. Call an electrician.

Yes, a photo would help. Is this an original Apple charger? Which exact model? Also, would a plug adapter mentioned in the following articles be involved?

Apple Three-prong AC Wall Plug Adapter Recall Program - Apple Support

Apple AC Wall Plug Adapter Exchange Program - Apple Support

Do you mean the entire charger assembly fell apart? Or are you talking about the actual plug component, which is designed to be swappable for different international markets.

A picture of what you're referring to would help.

An extremely dangerous situation.

A qualified electrician would probably begin by completely switching off electricity to the double socket using a main circuit breaker in the house. The socket switches must also be turned off. The electrician would use a multimeter or other test equipment to confirm zero voltage at the visible terminals before doing anything else. Using electrician's gloves and special high-voltage insulated pliers, it should then be possible to safely remove the piece still in the socket. Do not do this yourself. In the meantime, make sure that access to the socket is blocked in order to protect people and animals.

Would this possibly be a third-party charger? Any text/label on the already removed part indicating its origin? Manufacturer, part or model number, certification icons, et cetera?

The good thing is that the UK electrical standards are pretty solid - turning off that socket via the adjacent rocker switch is the clear and obvious first thing to do (not sure why you haven't already done that).

That will take care of isolating the pins and would facilitate its removal, without needing to trace back to the breaker panel or calling an electrician (although you're still free to do that, of course).

Secondly, is this an Apple USB power adapter? Being in the US, I'm not 100% familiar with the UK models but that doesn't look like the official Apple adapter to me.

Either way, Apple or not, you should report it to the relevant authorities. They can track this, alert the manufacturer if there's an endemic problem with their product, revoke licenses if they're deemed unsafe and issue recalls if warranted: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consumer-products-reporting-product-safety-issues

Camelot wrote:

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That will take care of isolating the pins and would facilitate its removal, without needing to trace back to the breaker panel or calling an electrician (although you're still free to do that, of course).

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One reason for mentioning the extra steps in my message is that a (1-pole) socket switch cannot always be trusted. Also, the higher voltage (compared to the US) must be taken into account. Calling an electrician is of course not necessary if you are experienced and well-informed, but we do not know the exact situation for everyone posting here, and others may read this as well.

+1

> One reason for mentioning the extra steps in my message is that a (1-pole) socket switch cannot always be trusted.

True, but coming from the UK myself, I know for sure that switch will isolate the pins. UK sockets are not like the ones in the US, which are live all the time and cannot be isolated other than via the breaker panel.

Seriously, if the pins were still live with that switch turned off, the OP has bigger issues to worry about than just this power adapter.

Camelot wrote:

> One reason for mentioning the extra steps in my message is that a (1-pole) socket switch cannot always be trusted.

True, but coming from the UK myself, I know for sure that switch will isolate the pins. UK sockets are not like the ones in the US, which are live all the time and cannot be isolated other than via the breaker panel.

Seriously, if the pins were still live with that switch turned off, the OP has bigger issues to worry about than just this power adapter.

All true if your sockets were wired in by an electrician. When I moved into my house there were extra sockets in the small bedroom which had been used as a study which I assume had been installed by one of the previous owners. Not only were they switched on the neutral side, but they were wired to the 30A cooker ring using the sort of cable you'd put on a bedside lamp.

The OP needs to turn the socket off at the fuse panel/consumer unit, test it's turned off by plugging something into the other socket then, if it is off, prising out the remains of the plug somehow and hope bits don't get left in the socket. I'd have a spare socket handy as well, just in case.

> When I moved into my house there were extra sockets in the small bedroom which had been used as a study. Not only were they switched on the neutral side, but they were wired to the 30A cooker ring.

Like I said, you have bigger problems than a broken power adapter :)

Hello~ I would strongly urge you to take *Jan Hedlund’s* advice…

~Katana-San~