Dell Inc. is recalling about 38,000 power adapters sold worldwide that can cause an electrical shock if they are used with power cords from third-party manufacturers, a company spokesman said.

The Dell Combination Auto/Air Adapters were sold between December 2003 and May 2004 as an accessory with Latitude and Inspiron notebooks, said Tom Kehoe, a Dell spokesman. The adapters allow those notebooks to use either a standard AC wall socket or a DC power outlet such as a cigarette lighter in an automobile.

If combined with a power cord other than the one provided by the manufacturer, Mobility Electronics Inc., the adapters could pose the risk of an electrical shock. No reports of electrical shocks have reached Dell, but the company is recalling the adapters to prevent any such problems from occurring, Kehoe said.

Customers will receive a new power cord and adapter inserts that prevent any other power cord from being used with the adapter, Kehoe said. Dell is in the process of contacting customers who purchased the adapters, he said.

For more information, U.S. customers can call 888-245-3844. Dell is setting up a Web site (http://www.auto-air-adapter.com) for the recall that will feature more information and local telephone numbers for international customers.

IDG News Service

• Email
• Print
• Share
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Stumble
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine