by: John Gall
Dell Computer Corporation Recall of Latitude / Inspiron Laptop AC Adapters
If you own one of the following models of Dell Latitude or Inspiron PC laptops you may want to check your AC Adapter part number. Dell is recalling 990,000 AC Adapters used on the following Laptop Models: Latitude CP, CPi, CPiA, CPtC, CPiR, CPxH, CPtV, CS, CSx, CPxJ, CPtS, C500, C510, C600, C610, C800, C810, V700, C-Dock and CPort
Inspiron: 2500, 2600, 3700, 3800, 4000, 4100, 4150, 5000, 5000e, 7500, 7550, 8000, 8100
The Dell AC Adapter recall is due to the possibility that the AC Adapter could overheat and start a fire or produce an electrical shock. The issue appears to be in the cord which is damaged at the connection to the AC Adapter from bending in regular use. Dell is requiring that the AC adapter be shipped back to ensure that it is no longer in use.
The AC Adapter Part Numbers affected are:
P/N 9364U
P/N 7832D
P/N 4983D
The Manufacturer must also be Delta Electronics and made in Thailand
I have many Dell AC adapters with the affected part #'s and are not made by Delta Electronics but made by ASTEC in China. Those AC Adapters are ok. If you want to verify this please call the 1-800 number at Dell to confirm your AC Adapter is safe. You will need to read them the last twelve numbers on the AC Adapter bar code label. The web site also has a form to enter this information and generate a request for a new Dell AC Adapter.
Owners of these AC Adapters can visit http://www.delladapterprogram.com or call 1-800-418-8590 to obtain a replacement AC Adapter
At my company we did have one of these smoke and start on fire. The FAQ on Dell's AC Adapter recall website states that it is a very small number of these Recall affected AC Adapters that have actually caught fire.