Hewlett-Packard is recalling about 6 million computer power cords after 29 reports of the cords melting or charring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday. The recalled item, the LS-15 AC power cord, was distributed with Hewlett-Packard and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers and with AC adapter-powered accessories such as docking stations, the commission said in a statement.
The affected AC power cords were shipped with products and accessories sold from September 2010 through June 2012.
It is not clear where the problem with the cords lies. Were the cords not made to specifications? Or, were they made to spec, but they were not specified correctly. A quick search on the net failed to turn up the root cause.
Though cords, wires, and cables seem so mundane, problems do arise when they are not up to the task. What problems have you encountered due to wiring issues?
(Score: 2) by shortscreen on Sunday August 31 2014, @01:14AM
I had a 486SX laptop which contained a 4-cell nicad battery pack. The cord from the power supply brick to the laptop was very stiff and heavy, and ended with a mini-DIN connector, of all things. After a while the plug and the solder joints on the PCB loosened up, connections became intermittant and the battery wouldn't charge sometimes. Then one time the battery got so hot that the plastic case (including the laptop itself) started to melt.