napoleon1769
Jan 22nd, 2008, 02:52 AM
Dell customers who purchased the new XPS m1530 are literally in for a shock. The laptop is apparently giving some users an electric shock when they touch it. The shock varies in intensity from a minor tingling sensation to a full jump-backwards-shaking-your-hand shock.
Various posts on the Dell forums has led to the problem being tracked down to the combination of the power adapter connection on the machine combined with the brushed aluminum casing. The adapter uses two pins instead of three, meaning it isn’t earthed correctly, so the current jumps ship to your body when you come into contact. There is no official warning or explanation currently forthcoming from Dell customer support, however.
There is a knowledge base article, but it seems to reassure customers this problem is not a fault and something that should be accepted. Here’s the description the company gives:
A tingling sensation may be noticed when connecting devices to Dell notebook computers or printers and touching exposed metal parts of the devices being connected or the parent device. This tingling sensation can occur any time the AC adapter is connected and the user touches any exposed metal surface on the computer, the printer, the PDA, etc. This may lead to the conclusion that the device is unsafe. The electric current on all Dell products has been measured and proven to be well within the safety limits per safety standards - IEC950, EN60950, UL1950, etc., even with an input voltage of 240 Volts. The voltage (tingling sensation) does NOT present any risk of injury to the user. It is recommended to unplug the AC adapter from the parent device before attaching any cables or accessories, as this reduces the possibility of experiencing the tingling sensation.
Various posts on the Dell forums has led to the problem being tracked down to the combination of the power adapter connection on the machine combined with the brushed aluminum casing. The adapter uses two pins instead of three, meaning it isn’t earthed correctly, so the current jumps ship to your body when you come into contact. There is no official warning or explanation currently forthcoming from Dell customer support, however.
There is a knowledge base article, but it seems to reassure customers this problem is not a fault and something that should be accepted. Here’s the description the company gives:
A tingling sensation may be noticed when connecting devices to Dell notebook computers or printers and touching exposed metal parts of the devices being connected or the parent device. This tingling sensation can occur any time the AC adapter is connected and the user touches any exposed metal surface on the computer, the printer, the PDA, etc. This may lead to the conclusion that the device is unsafe. The electric current on all Dell products has been measured and proven to be well within the safety limits per safety standards - IEC950, EN60950, UL1950, etc., even with an input voltage of 240 Volts. The voltage (tingling sensation) does NOT present any risk of injury to the user. It is recommended to unplug the AC adapter from the parent device before attaching any cables or accessories, as this reduces the possibility of experiencing the tingling sensation.