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PA-10 lacks 3-prong grounded plug - A problem?
My Inspiron 1420 shipped with a PA-10 family power adapter P/N GX808.
The AC plug is a standard two prong affair.
All of the Dell laptops I have previously owned have had a grounded (3-prong) plug.
Is this a problem?
Is Dell now routinely shipping non-grounded adapters?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Robin24k
617 Posts
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April 12th, 2008 18:00
I believe the 2-prong 90W power adapter is standard...don't know why that is. A grounded power adapter definately is a better choice, especially for something like a computer. So...the answers to your question is yes and yes.
With the Latitudes, you get to choose which power adapter comes with it (of course, I chose the grounded 65W one for my D620, which was $19 cheaper!), but I don't think you get that choice with Inspirons.
If you have a grounded PA-10 or PA-12, I would use that. Otherwise, it's not big enough of a deal to spend money to get a grounded power adapter.
BfloDoc
2 Posts
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April 16th, 2008 11:00
Thanks to Robin24k and jcn77056 for their replies.
I recently purchased a Dell grounded PA-10 replacement on eBay for an adapter which just died but when we travel to Europe this May and August I will be sure to consider the important issue of plug adapters.
Thanks again for your help.
jcn77056
667 Posts
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April 16th, 2008 11:00
Have fun over the pond. I used to do a lot of overseas travel and loved it but lately, I'm chained to a desk. :smileysad:
If you search some of my previous posts, I had a discussion on overseas travel with someone last year. It had some recommendations on adapters, etc. It might be helpful.
jcn77056
667 Posts
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April 16th, 2008 11:00
In order to sell the power supplies, they have to be certified by various organizations around the world. In the US, it's UL (Underwriters Laboratories) who tests and certifies the power supplies. The UL standards define how the equipment must protect the user from voltages. I'm not sure of the current standards but two-wire equipment used to be what was called double-insulated. That required to separate isolations between the high voltage and the user.
There's really no more danger from the laptop power supply than any other two-wire device. The high voltage is isolated and what is output (less than 20v) is relatively harmless. After traveling the world with these things, I appreciate the two-wire power supplies. It's easier to find an adapter in a foreign country for them. :smileyhappy: