Safety Information

Product Safety

The base internationally recognized product safety standard for Information Technology Equipment (ITE), such as computer systems, printers and monitors, IEC 60950-1 or IEC 62368-1 provides design and testing requirements for safe use of the equipment. Designing products to this standard reduces the risk of hazards from electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and radiation conditions.

Safety standards appropriate to the category of equipment are used for the designing and testing of non-Information Technology Equipment.

General product safety information is provided within the Safety Information section of our Product Compliance Help Desk. Product-specific safety information which is intended to address a product-specific feature (e.g., wall-mounting brackets) is provided within the documentation shipped with an optional product-specific feature. Note that product safety warnings and cautions for certain components, accessories and peripherals may be provided within the product safety information applicable for the component, accessory and peripheral. Product users should ensure that they have read and are familiar with all product safety information applicable to the use of their systems, components, accessories and peripherals.

Swollen Battery Safety

Lithium-ion polymer batteries have become standard in the electronics industry due to customer preferences for a slim form factor and long battery life.  Inherent to lithium-ion technology is the potential for swelling of the battery cells.  Dell works with its battery supplier to minimize the potential for this issue to arise in our products, but we have seen a low incidence of swelling in some Dell branded batteries.  In rare cases, the swelling might result in cracking or separation of the product enclosure.  If this happens with your Dell product, please contact our product support for options to repair and/or replace by a Dell authorized service technician under the terms of the applicable warranty or service contract.  Swollen batteries must be handled with care during replacement.  A swollen battery in your Dell product does not pose a safety issue.  As a reminder, it is important to always purchase genuine replacement batteries from Dell.  

Swollen Battery Information and Guidance

 

Tingle Sensation

Some users may notice a mild tingling sensation when touching exposed metal surfaces on electrical devices powered by an AC adapter with a two-prong (ungrounded) plug. We want to assure users that this phenomenon is well understood, fully anticipated in the design process, and does not present a safety concern.

Whether a user perceives this potential as a tingling sensation depends on several environmental and physiological factors:

•            Skin condition — Moist or oily skin is more conductive, increasing the likelihood of perception; dry skin reduces it.

•            Footwear and flooring — Standing barefoot on a conductive surface (such as concrete or tile) increases conductivity, while rubber-soled shoes on carpet reduce it.

•            Ambient humidity — Higher humidity levels can increase skin conductivity

 

All Dell AC adapters are designed, tested, and certified to comply with applicable international safety standards, including IEC 62368-1, EN 62368-1, and UL/cUL 62368-1. The measured leakage current on devices powered by our adapters falls well within the limits prescribed by these standards, even at input voltages up to 240V. The sensation users may perceive does not indicate a product defect and poses no risk of electrical injury.

Air Travel

When traveling with your Dell computer or Personal Electronic Device (PED), it is important to understand the restrictions of use for your product while on board an aircraft. Dell encourages you to review the safety information applicable to your adapter, batteries and wireless device before traveling with your PED. Additionally, Dell recommends that you review the Air Travel information on our Product Compliance Help Desk and provided by your airline.


Product Use
Safety information is provided with your product at shipment.  Additional information is provided on our Product Compliance Help Desk article, Safety Information.  Dell recommends that you review the  Product Use and Handling information included on our Product Compliance Help Desk. Adherence to the guidelines provided on the Product Compliance Help Desk will assist in protecting your product.

Glass Warning

Touch screens on some Dell devices are made of glass.  This glass could break if the device is dropped or receives a significant impact.  To reduce the risk of cuts, do not touch or attempt to remove any broken glass.

Use of Symbols on Products

Some Dell products will display a symbol as shown in the Safety Information article.


Annex A displays pictures of the new symbols.