HP announces recall of millions of AC adapters, power cords

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announced a recall of millions of AC adapters and power cords of its PC products and warned that the affected units might be at higher risk of overheating and possible fires.

This move is expected to impact around 6 million AC power cords that had been distributed globally. The accessories had been supplied with notebooks (HP and Compaq) as also mini notebook PCs. The recall also includes AC adapters with accessories like docking stations that had been released from September 2010 to June 2012.

The PC manufacturer said in a statement, that power cords that might have been shipped with PC and notebook products in the past, and AC adapters, might pose risks of fire. These might, however be hazardous to affected customers. The company added the recall was part of its commitment to bring about the highest service quality to its notebook customers.

Replacement of power cords and AC adapter would be provided to affected customers and users could check their HP PCs and look for the code 'LS-15' imprinted in the power cords (at the end part). However, users should note that not all LS-15 power cords were among the affected units.

The worldwide safety recall comes after 29 reports of overheating, melting and charring - with two people reporting burn injuries, and 13 claiming damage to their homes or offices.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission website has called on users who had a laptop cable to stop using it immediately as they ''can overheat, posing a potential fire and burn hazard''.

According to HP 5,577,000 of the cables were sold in the US and 446,700 were sold in Canada, however the company did not rule out the possibility that some of the defective cables having being sold in the UK.

Under US law, now that a recall had been ordered, it was illegal to sell or attempt to sell the cables, and HP would be offering free new cables to affected users .

HP said in a statement, ''In cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, HP has announced a worldwide voluntary recall and replacement programme for certain AC power cords used with AC adapters shipped 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.''