Cisco Systems Inc. (San Jose, CA) issued a recall for approximately 95,000 power adapters that it had sold worldwide because of overheating problems, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The adapters, which are used with certain Cisco ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) routers, can overheat and melt a hole through the housing, posing a fire hazard. In addition, the resulting exposed wires pose an electric shock hazard.
Cisco has received only one report so far of a unit overheating, and no property damage or injuries were reported, the CPSC stated.
The adapters are used with six different models of router sold for use in homes and small offices. They were sold through service providers and distributors worldwide between April 2000 and September 2001, the CPSC said.
The power adapters are those shipped with Cisco's 827, 827-4V, 826, SOHO77, SOHO77-50 and 827-EUR routers. The small, black adapters carry the part number 34-0949-02.
Customers who purchased affected adapters should stop using them immediately and contact Cisco for a free replacement.
