Fire starter PC cables

**weirdlookinguy** · 09-08-2010, 05:13 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

I'm going to go look through all my power cables, and if any are Fan-Jet I am going to cut the plugs off and throw them out.

**seanc** · 09-08-2010, 05:44 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Post a picture of the design? I have loads of different types power cables...

**momaka** · 09-08-2010, 08:10 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Interesting. Cut the burned cable where it wasn't damaged and see how it's constructed inside. Perhaps they used an insulation that was too thin or the wire was too thin? Also look on the side of the cable, and see if you can find any specs, like voltage and temperature rating, as well as gauge/thickness.

Most of the PC/IEC cables I use around here are UL certified, 3x18awg.

**dood** · 09-08-2010, 08:25 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

I had a laptop power cable burn up the other day. Nothing wrong with the adaptor, this was just the cable from the brick to the wall (straight AC). It actually created a little volcano in the plastic between the hot and ground on the plug and was spewing smoke from there. Grabbed it by the end of the cord and yanked it out. Very cautiously tried another AC cable with the same adaptor and have had no issues on the bench.

**kc8adu** · 09-09-2010, 06:44 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

no ul,csa,ce,ect logos?
toss em!
not that their presence means much on some stuff as they are often forged....

Originally posted by goodpsusearch

Ok, this is getting very irritating...

I have a bunch of computer cables and lately I had 2 of them suddenly catching fire!

My explanation is that 1 of the 3 wires got very thin or was completely cut and then it made sparks and melted the plastic.

This is very dangerous because if the cable is sitting on a carpet or wooden floor it can start a big fire and.... burn the house...

Does anyone have a similar experience?

I found out that those cables usually have several logos and marks on them and some technical info I am not familiar with. The cables that caught fire have only the name of the company Fan-Jet Enterprise Co. LTD, model names FJ-002 FJ-013 and the typical cable rating 10-16A 250V~.

Do you think I should toss any FAN-JET cables that I have, even if they still work (and haven't caught fire)?

**stj** · 09-09-2010, 08:50 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

i just had an xbox360 cable go, it went at the back of the inlet connector.
not the fault of the manufacturer, it was the owner constantly wrapping the cable up - caused a kink in the cable.
same as we'v all seen on vga cables behind pc's that get jammed against a wall.

**goodpsusearch** · 09-09-2010, 10:13 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Here are the photos... I put a random power cable near the jet-fan to compare...

Notice the complete absence of logos and specs/ratings on the cable, socket and plug of the fan-jet.

Other than that, I cannot find anything strange.

Originally posted by dood

It actually created a little volcano in the plastic between the hot and ground on the plug and was spewing smoke from there. Grabbed it by the end of the cord and yanked it out.

That is exactly what happened with my cables too! A volcano ejecting fire and smoke

Attached Files

**Shocker** · 05-02-2012, 12:56 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Apart from Fan-Jet, I've seen two other types of counterfeit power cords. One was branded "DHT Electrical" (for the record, their AS plug has the L/N closer to the outside edge than the E

), with fake ratings (I don't remember what they were) and one was completely unbranded, with "18AWG" and "6-10A" markings. Before I knew they were fake I left two in use at someone else's place. Better go and hunt them down, before something terrible happens

.

**c_hegge** · 05-02-2012, 01:55 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

The Fan Jet cable does seem thinner than the other one.

FWIW, I have had a cable burn up years ago, although I have no idea what brand it was.

**Shocker** · 05-02-2012, 02:18 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Also note the gap between the L and E wires in the Fan-Jet - unlike the neatly bundled wires in the real power cable. The Fan-Jet is actually about the same overall diameter as a real cord of type H03VV-F 3G 0.75mm².

This does look like a serious safety hazard. I'm glad you made the thread goodpsusearch - have to make others aware of the problem. To some extent they get away with crappy construction because PCs generally only draw about 150-200W. Of course it's only a matter of time before someone plugs a kettle into one of those...

I can bet that there would be a LOT less fires if strict quality standards were enforced on electrical equipment. I just thought up a good way to test IEC leads for safety - wire up a small electric heater with a C14, and insert the lead under test in the middle. If the lead goes poof, you have your proof.

**Shocker** · 05-02-2012, 02:23 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Oh and by the way, the Fan-Jet cables are aptly named.

They need a jet-fan cooling them to survive high wattages.

**Mad_Professor** · 05-02-2012, 02:25 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

The great solar storm of 2012-2013?

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859

Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed, in some cases even shocking telegraph operators.[5] Telegraph pylons threw sparks and telegraph paper spontaneously caught fire.[6] Some telegraph systems appeared to continue to send and receive messages despite having been disconnected from their power supplies.[7]

Further reading:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/20...150-years-ago/

ok I'm coming back from Koo-koo-land.

It's most likely defective or counterfeit cables.

If the cord is warm or hot, you better change it.

**c_hegge** · 05-02-2012, 03:07 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Originally posted by Shocker

Oh and by the way, the Fan-Jet cables are aptly named.

They need a jet-fan cooling them to survive high wattages.

**stevo1210** · 05-02-2012, 03:20 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

I had a problem with a cable a few years back that would lose ground because the connection inside the hole was crap. I switched to all Kema-Keur cables and have been trouble free ever since.

**Shocker** · 05-02-2012, 03:26 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Originally posted by stevo1210

I had a problem with a cable a few years back that would lose ground because the connection inside the hole was crap. I switched to all Kema-Keur cables and have been trouble free ever since.

Um...Kema-Keur is a certification, not a brand.

**japlytic** · 05-02-2012, 04:32 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Are there any recalls related to IEC-type cables? In the US, I have seen a number of recalls for extension leads; the most common reason is that the wires were undersized.

**b700029** · 05-02-2012, 08:43 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

They sell different thicknesses of cables:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10228

18, 16, and 14 gauge. They have different ampacities.

**ThePCDoctor** · 05-03-2012, 11:59 AM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Overall, in this topic, it appears that most of the problems are occurring outside the US, where the line power is 220-230 VAC.

In 30+ years as a professional tech, here in the US I've never seen a fire from a computer power cable.

I seriously doubt if any of those cables are made here,,,,,probably in China.
UL Rated? Forgetaboutit!

Interesting thread!

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

**popeye** · 05-03-2012, 04:29 PM

Re: Fire starter PC cables

Looking at the picture of the plugs above the copy ones have no safety marks so I would put them in the rubbish where they belong and get supplies from reputable sources in future and always disconnect plugs from the mains when not in use?

Fire starter PC cables

Fire starter PC cables

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