News

6 Million HP Notebook AC Power Cords pose Fire Hazard

August 26, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Yesterday, Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) announced a worldwide voluntary recall and replacement program in cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, for affected ac power cords distributed worldwide with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers, as well as with ac adapters provided with accessories such as docking stations, sold from September 2010 through June 2012. This recall affects 5.6 million power cords in the U.S. and over 400,000 power cords in Canada.

HP has received 29 reports of power cords overheating and melting or charring, resulting in two claims of minor burns and 13 claims of minor property damage, according to a report in the Christian Science Monitor. The Hewlett-Packard LS-15 ac power cords were distributed with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers, and with ac adapter-powered accessories including docking stations. The power cords are black and have an "LS-15" molded on the ac adapter end of the cord. They were manufactured in China.

HP customers affected by this program will be eligible to receive a replacement ac power cord for each verified, recalled ac power cord at no cost. In a statement, HP said it believes that certain power cords shipped with notebook PC products and ac adapter accessories may pose a risk of a fire and burn hazard to customers. Recall details are available here.