cpjitservices Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Hi All, We received a phone call yesterday, A client of ours reported that A computer they have has gone up in flames... literally. Client had plugged an Ipad into front USB ports on PC (As you would I guess) and shortly after flames erupted from the front of the PC. Case is in a bit of a mess as you can imagine. We have also had a similar incident a while ago where someone had plugged a phone into the front USB ports. Anyone else come across this ?
Grey-gear Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 (edited) I think I have heard of something like this happening before, I think it something to do with people using non official cables? I could be very wrong hear as this is off the top of my head. Edited September 16, 2015 by Grey-gear
bladedanny Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Never seen it, but I can only imagine a faulty USB port causing a spark and igniting dust and fluff in the case. Would be interesting to know exactly what happened but doubt you'd ever be able to know for sure.
Grey-gear Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Here's the article I read about non official chargers. How dangerous are phone chargers? - BBC News
FN-GM Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 @cpjitservices Is this you? - Front USB Ports setting PC on fire! | IT Support Confessions
cpjitservices Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 Why yes it is me lol... @FN-GM Looks a nasty mess! and smells bad too.
peterp Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Sounds like a bad computer. The USB ports on the computer *should* not be able to source more than 500mA of power, no matter the drain. The worst that happens to any of our dell machines when someone shorts the USB is the power supply shuts off. Most USB charged devices will draw a max of 2A which at 5v is 10W of power. That shouldn't set fire to things unless it's running through very thin wires. The damage looks to be at the computer side of things, not the cable, so I'd blame the computer.
cpjitservices Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 I can confirm that the cable used was an official cable.
cpjitservices Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 Sounds like a bad computer. The USB ports on the computer *should* not be able to source more than 500mA of power, no matter the drain. The worst that happens to any of our dell machines when someone shorts the USB is the power supply shuts off. Most USB charged devices will draw a max of 2A which at 5v is 10W of power. That shouldn't set fire to things unless it's running through very thin wires. The damage looks to be at the computer side of things, not the cable, so I'd blame the computer. The damage is case only, Computer itself works fine.
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