AC Adapter Cord Fraying

Question

I received my Inspiron 9100 around the middle of April of this year (2004).  I use it daily and excessively... to the point of constantly needing to have the AC Adapter plugged in.  The cord that is physically attached to the brick (and plugs into the system) started to separate from the brick about three months ago.  As of this week, it has completely come free of the brick and is now a mass of exposed wires.  Obviously, this isn't a good thing.  I'm submitting a Technical Support issue, but was curious if this is a common failure of the power adapter.  Replacing it with another unit that will separate and fray in a few months does not sound like a long term solution.  Are there compatable adapters that are a big more rugged (and perhaps smaller and lighter) that are third-party options?   Thanks for any help.   -Me

anettis · Answer

I am on my 4th Inspiron and have never seen that happen.  I suspect you got a lemon and the replacement DELL sends should hold up better.

pukame2 · Answer

We're on our 4th Dell Laptop. We have never seen your problem ever on our power adapters. We plug in the A/C device into our laptop or Docking Station. The one thing that we suspect might be happening is that the 'Brick' may be suspended from the power plug. In that case, the scenario as you describe maybe the reason the cord is separating or fraying. Use velcro strips to attach 'brick' to desk or elsewhere to support its weight.  MP.

charlesdarnold · Answer

Today, my AC adapter stopped working. It fell apart in the same exact place as you've described. This is the second time this has happened in 9 months. I have had this Inspiron 1100 since March 2003. The first time Dell Warranty took care of it for me by sending me a brand new AC adapter. Now that I'm out of warranty, I do not want to spend another $50 for this to happen again.

Because I use my laptop for home and office - all day, I needed to borrow my colleague's power charger today to get work done today. The ironic thing: His power cord (the hard-wire coming out of the brick) is frayed as well - and being held together with electrical tape!

At least in my office, this is a very common issue.

I do not suspend or let the brick hang. The bottom line is that these power adapters are not durable enough to handle being transported daily. A friend of mine who has the Inspiron 600M has an AC adapter that is more conducive to travel (comes with a strap to neatly hold cords).

I have looked into 3rd party AC devices (iGo, etc), but their tip replacements are not compatible with the Inspiron - only the Latitude.

If you've found a solution, please share. A machine that costs over $1000 should have components that aren't made from junk. One more thing to add about the poor workmanship of the Inspiron 1100 are the rubber feet pads - I've glued and re-glued those stupid things on so many times that I've decided to just rip them all off.

Yet, another example of poor workmanship on the detail work.

ElectricalEngin · Answer

Samething happened to me. I called tech support, they sent me a new one overnight, and I sent the old one back.

Problem is that whenever I pack up my powerbrick, I would hold it by the DC cord (the one that plugs into the system) as I wrap the cord up. That caused the vinyl/rubber sheath to pull out of the brick. Now, I set the brick on the table while wrapping the cord and try to not let the brick hang by the DC cord.

aznman43 · Answer

I have that same problem too.  I wondered if it would lead to serious problems later on.  Honestly, the rubber holding the cord in place isn't that great.  I wish it wasn't so heavy either!  You could build houses with the ones that come with the 5150.

ElectricalEngin · Answer

Yes, I think it would lead to some future problems. After the vinyl/rubber sheath pulls out, all that's left to support the brick are the power wires themselves. It would only be a matter of time before those weakened, too.

lawstudentuser · Answer

Disregard the few posts that say this is a 'lemon' problem or a fluke. I'm in an academic environment with many other heavy Dell users. Within a year or two from purchase 100% of the power cords are frayed. It's a manufacturing defect in the sense that Dell chose a poor functional design and brittle materials. Dell also considers it normal usage. No warranty coverage.

ElectricalEngin · Answer

I believe the unit is not made by Dell, but by LiteOn.

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AC Adapter Cord Fraying

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