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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, Informative) by anubi on Sunday August 31 2014, @10:53AM
That is why I could not use it for the batteries. Too much current. It looked like a spool of heavy copper wire. It fooled me. It turned out to be the most expensive roll of baling wire I ever bought. Didn't make good baling wire either. Too weak.
After seeing speaker wiring, USB cables, and 2.5mm power plugs made using this copper plated aluminum wire, it would not surprise me to see it show up in other places. I have also noted a lot of copper and tin plated steel wire showing up as well - its attraction to a magnet is a dead giveaway.
Oh well... live and learn.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by VLM on Sunday August 31 2014, @11:46AM
"I have also noted a lot of copper... plated steel wire showing up as well - its attraction to a magnet is a dead giveaway"
That stuff is awesome BTW for ham radio antennas and is not necessarily cheaper than pure copper (if made properly out of good cabling steel, which the Chinese stuff probably isnt)
It doesn't stretch (as much) and you can use smaller diameter, lighter, wire. So lower wind forces, lighter cheaper constructed supports, lighter cheaper insulators, its just all around awesome for ham radio antennas.
A corroded copperclad antenna doesn't work all that much worse than a corroded copper antenna so its not much of a loss in that respect.
I just thought you might find it amusing that for a certain class of jobs, people pay a lot of money for that product.
As far as I know noone is selling kevlar reinforced copper wire for antennas. Kevlar reinforcement is popular for aerial optical fiber and it would be a step above the copperclad.
The main problem with the copperclad is kinks or tangles will damage the plating. Just gotta use it correctly, thats all.