HP Recalling Six Million Power Leads Due To Fire Hazard
HP is recalling six million power cords due to a fire hazard.
It is not all that often that we come across product recalls in the computer world, so even the smallest recall will catch our attention. Yesterday, HP recalled an unexpected product: the power leads that shipped with its laptops throughout September 2010 and June 2012.
This power cord (model number LS-15) is being recalled because of fire and burn hazards due to the cable overheating. HP has received 29 complaints about overheating LS-15 cables, 13 of which included claims of minor property damage. That’s apparently enough to have the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and HP recall over six million cables. Most of these are in the U.S. and Canada. Some Compaq-branded laptops also came with this cable.
The U.S. CPSC advises customers to stop using these cables immediately and contact HP for a replacement. In the meantime, the agency's proposed solution is for folks to use the laptops off battery power -- which is pretty much a non-solution solution. (Next we're going to be advised to drive our daily duties with the leftovers in our gas tanks because all of the nozzles at fuel pumps are being recalled.)
We reckon that this is all a bit overly dramatic, but we would still like to advise you to be careful. If you’re going to be stubborn enough to continue using the cable in the meantime (which we can’t blame you for) at least try to keep it away from carpets, wooden furniture, yourself, and other potential dangers.
Follow Niels Broekhuijsen @NBroekhuijsen. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
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Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.
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dovah-chan I would also like to inform everyone that my Lenovo G505 that I purchased in 2012 also included an LS-15 power lead. http://puu.sh/ba5OA/8aea160cbc.jpgReply
Oh fermi save me please ;---; -
COLGeek Or get your own here (likely faster arrival):Reply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812196313 -
ickibar1234 There are a TON of aftermarket 'mickey mouse" power cords for AC adapters... I wonder what portion of HP's power cable is dangerous?Reply -
dgingeri Let's see: 6 million cords, 29 complaints of overheating, 13 of those with property damage. I don't see the reason to "immediately" stop using the cord until a replacement can be obtained unless I actually see the cord melting and exposing wires. If the insulation is still intact, order the replacement and proceed as normal until the replacement arrives.Reply -
robertkey Good to see that Hp really cares about it's customers and is not ignorant about safety precautions as some of the other companies, well I hope the consumers also take this thing serious and get their cables replaced from Hp.Reply