Broken UK part of ASUS charger - scary safety concerns ( S200e ).

[pirran]

We have around 120 Asus S200e laptops, these are commonly purchased Windows 8 touchscreen laptops.

Recently a few plugs have been knocked by the users and they have fallen apart in a very scary way. I've spoken to ASUS technical support who said they couldn't really do anything, I've been passed through to the complaints department (just a form on the website) and am awaiting a response.

 

I'm posting this as a word of warning/caution in relation to these chargers.

 

Looking at the photo above you'll notice the lovely two pins connected directly to the 240v supply with no fuse in-line.

 

One thing I'm not sure about is whether the UK adapter part of the charger should have an CE stamp on it, I can't find one!

 

Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.

 

http://www.asus.com/websites/global/products/UDcCAxPBuhP8Wwmq/S200_1.jpg

Edited May 11, 2015 by pirran
add a photo of the product

[gtg93]

That does not look or sound legit - were these sourced from a proper supplier? Maybe they could offer you some further advice? I'm sure they'd like to know what they're selling, I for sure would!

 

I was under the impression that UK electricals all had to be CE stamped, and as far as I'm aware, they'd also have to be fused if handling 240V? I'm no expert however...

[LosOjos]

We have around 120 Asus S200e laptops, these are commonly purchased Windows 8 touchscreen laptops.

Recently a few plugs have been knocked by the users and they have fallen apart in a very scary way. I've spoken to ASUS technical support who said they couldn't really do anything, I've been passed through to the complaints department (just a form on the website) and am awaiting a response.

 

I'm posting this as a word of warning/caution in relation to these chargers.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30486[/ATTACH]

 

Looking at the photo above you'll notice the lovely two pins connected directly to the 240v supply with no fuse in-line.

 

One thing I'm not sure about is whether the UK adapter part of the charger should have an CE stamp on it, I can't find one!

 

Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.

 

http://www.asus.com/websites/global/products/UDcCAxPBuhP8Wwmq/S200_1.jpg

 

I'm fairly sure that it's illegal to supply an unfused plug in the UK - I'd give ASUS a call back and point that out! Did you buy these direct or from a third party? Whoever sold them to you may well need reporting.

 

Can't find much official documentation, but there's a charity that may be able to guide you further: BS 1363 Plugs and Sockets

[difinity]

Does the whole thing look like this ? NEW GENUINE ASUS S200E SERIES ADP-40MH CHARGER 19V--1.75A 33W FOR ASUS VIVOBOOK | eBay

 

It's not an unfused plug but part of the adapter, which doesn't need a fuse.

[pirran]

Thanks for your replies, they were purchased from a large UK supplier (not fair to put their name here, yet). I've looked at some pictures online and the chargers are the usual ones, we've even ordered some spares which turned up just the same. These are the original ones that come in the Asus laptop boxes:

 

http://laptopparts.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5f66bc532c8afee2b2a87b687010fa50/a/d/ad891m21-bi-1.91.jpg

 

The link above is just from a random google images search.

[Andrew_C]

No CE mark? Trading Standard. No ifs or buts.

[MatthewL]

I would speak to your local trading standards but I would also speak to your local fire service's fire safety department, they are hitting bad chargers big time especially with them e-cig things. Get them to check it out too.

[pirran]

I've just a reply from Asus - they're saying they are not genuine adapters. After some googling I'm not sure I believe that. . . I'm going to get in contact with the supplier again, and the fire service. @DocHouse any chance you could let me know what sticker/code you have on your adapters, perhaps PM me. Maybe we had the same supplier?

 

From ASUS:

Thank you for your email and supplying the pictures requested.

Our apologies for the delay in returning your email.

 

According to our information the adapter supplied with the model you have purchased should have the part number: 0A001-00340500. This does not appear to match the part number given on the pictures due to being: 04G26B001200. It appears that you have been supplied with non ASUS adapters with the products.

 

Could you please advise if you have also raised your complaint with your supplier as well?

 

Kindly be advised that we cannot assist further when the adapter are non ASUS products.

 

At this moment we strongly advise to contact your supplier to raise your complaint with them, to be provided with the ASUS adapters for the units.

 

Our apologies for the inconveniences caused to you.

 

Kind regards,

Thi D.

ASUS UK Support team

 

Hotline: 01442-265548

Email: http://vip.asus.com/eservice/techserv.aspx

Website: ASUS Global

[difinity]

I would question their reply. AC ADAPTER ASUS 33W 19V 2P VARIABLE Ref: 0A001-00340500 is the adapter and just below is the part number for the UK plug with part number 04G26B001200.

[pirran]

Thanks DocHouse, ours definitely came out of sealed asus boxes too. I'm not sure if it will do any good but I've replied to the ASUS ticket and will let you know of their response.

---

 

 

Dear Thi D,

 

I'm rather upset that you haven't even asked which supplier we used, I also suspect you are incorrect in your statement about the product codes. (Supplier = xxxxx a very large IT reseller)

 

Every supplier of this item states the code that we have on our adapters, these suppliers also state the manufacturer is ASUS.

 

AC ADAPTER ASUS 33W 19V 2P VARIABLE Ref: 0A001-00340500

http://www.asusparts.eu/Asus-04G26B001200

https://www.lambda-tek.com/ASUS-04G26B001200~sh/B1412756

UK Plug Accessory for Asus adapter (04G26B001200) - www.misco.co.uk

 

Next steps for us are going to be:

 

1. Give Asus 48 hours as a chance to deal with the matter or at least provide an accurate and informative response.

 

2. Contact supplier to discuss

3. Report to trading standards

4. Report to fire safety department

5. Discuss with our legal firm the most sensible course of action as hundreds of our students may have been put at great risk.

 

These chargers and UK plugs that are part of the charger all came out of SEALED ASUS s200e boxes direct from a very large UK supplier. I know this because I opened the boxes myself.

 

Regards,

[Edu-IT]

Regardless of their reply, I'd still be flagging this up to the relevant people.

[difinity]

tmp_9117-07-615-product-standards-electrical-equipment-plugs-sockets-guidance-notes-1110927172.pdf

 

Adapters do not need a fuse or to be CE marked.

[Andrew_C]

May not need a fuse, but I see nothing to exclude an adaptor from safety requirements. In fact

Supply of Electrical Devices: Specified plugs, adaptors and fuse links or cartridge fuse links for specified plugs, sockets and adaptors must comply with the specified standard, see Regulation 4 and Definitions in Regulation 3. However regulation 3(3) does recognize that where compliance to a British Standard is required a standard or specification recognized in another Member State may be used provided it gives an equivalent level of safety. A notified body must approve plugs to BS1363 (standard plugs) and conversion plugs. Where the use of a notified body is required, the notified body may approve products which provide an equivalent level of safety to the specified standard.

[difinity]

I read it as being covered under the excluded devices. "Any plug, socket or adapter which incorporates any other electrical device (other than a fuse link, switch or indicator light).

 

These are of a similar design to Blackberry chargers, the main electrical part being CE marked the UK plug adapter just being a bit of plastic and metal contacts.

I really think that if this kind of adapter were illegal we'd have seen something about them by now.

[Andrew_C]

I'm not saying it is illegal, just that it should comply with BS or EN whatever.

[difinity]

Although i think it is excluded, from the amount of these type of adapters i see, surely by definition if it's not complying with standards it is illegal ?

 

I had one here a second ago on my desk, main electrical part CE marked, the UK plug bit isn't.

 

It also details in the FAQ of that pdf.

Q. Does an adapter or travel adapter need a CE mark ?

A. No - they are covered by the regulations.

[segalp]

We have 1200 Asus Transformers and have had many charger failures of exactly the same kind. Same story from Asus too. We went to our H&S advisers and they advised us to issue a safety notice and if we felt it serious enough, a recall. We sent warnings out to all students and parents with photos but to be honest, not many people seemed that bothered - which is even worse!

[PotNoodleTech]

The fact that it snaps easily is poor.

 

The fact that is snaps off easily thus providing direct access to the 240v pins is outrageous. I would contact you're LEA legal department immediately.

 

I would also pull them from service immediately until the matter is resolved.

[Edu-IT]

Perhaps worth sending this to Benjamin Yeh who appears to be the UK Managing Director?

 

ASUS UK Managing Director Email address and Telephone number (Benjamin Yeh)