Cheap chinese laptop adapters - Safe?

[Compman55]

I recently evaluated and fixed 3 unknown laptops. They all were missing adapters. Being we did not know the sate of the laptops hardware we went the cheap route and bought $7.95 ebay Chinese adapters. Although they work great and serve the purpose, are they dangerous to use?

 

[UsandThem]

I recently evaluated and fixed 3 unknown laptops. They all were missing adapters. Being we did not know the sate of the laptops hardware we went the cheap route and bought $7.95 ebay Chinese adapters. Although they work great and serve the purpose, are they dangerous to use?

Can be. There can be little to no quality control among the manufacturers. Just look at all the generic battery packs that people have problems with.

 

[nerp]

I'd never buy cheap chinese junk when it comes to power and batteries. I value the safety of human life too much to risk anyone suffering a fire.

http://www.epanorama.net/newepa/2016/01/25/power-supply-teardowns-reveal-safety-issues/

http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.html

Until you cut something open, you'll never know. And that's not worth the risk.

 

[nerp]

Here's more:
http://www.edn.com/design/pc-board/...e7de&elqaid=31925&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=27841

 

[VirtualLarry]

I wonder the same thing. I broke down and bought, one, and then, two, adapters for an older laptop that would charge sporadically. I thought maybe the laptop jack was bad, but after getting the Chinese replacement chargers, it behaves fine, so it was in fact the wiring in the OEM factory chargers that had likely gotten damaged due to use.

Still, I worry a little bit about a fire. I use it on my bed.

 

[nk215]

I bought a Chinese adapter for my X201 along time ago. That adapter got very hot to the touch after an hour or so of use. I took it apart and the internal was too hot to touch. Needless to say I no longer use it. My OEM adapters don't even got warm.

 

[Phynaz]

Yes, they are dangerous.

http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.html