How hot should a laptop charger get?

[kherrmann3]

Here's a question for anyone who knows electronics/computers. How hot should the AC adapter for my laptop charger get? I wouldn't think that it should get hot enough to burn someone, but mine just burned me! I have a red area on my thumb and it is stinging now, too. I grabbed the box to move it and I got burned! Here is a picture!

It is kind of hard to see, but the inside of my thumb (by the joint) is where the burn is.


I used a kitchen thermometer (you know, the kind you stab into meat) to measure it, and it topped at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It has been in the 110 range last time I checked (a minute ago). Don't believe me? Check out the pic! (I was using the blanket to hold the charger while I got the temperature. It was not under the blanket or in it before I got burned.)



I am not 100% sure what temperature can burn skin at, but my finger is still red and tender. It's a first-degree burn at MOST.

Any ideas? I am assuming this is NOT safe...

 

[MissBinky]

I burnt myself nicely with my laptop in the past after falling asleep with it on me. Lol. Those things can get quitehot. However, an important thing to take note of is if it might have been covered by accident and how long it's been plugged in. I do not think you should be able to burn yourself so badly just by moving it so you may want to considerreplacing the battery just to be sure.

On a positive note, that is definitely not a first-degree burn

 

[mouse_chalk]

That sounds pretty hot for a laptop charger, although I have known them to get pretty warm before! :?

Question- is there any chance a little bunny could have nibbled it a little bit? I ask because that happened to one of mine, and it used to get very hot, and didn't charge my laptop particularly well, even though I had covered it with insulation tape lol. I was amazed at how well it charged after I got a replacement!

 

[NZminilops]

I would say it shouldn't get that hot :shock:.

we have two laptops plugged into the wall 24/7, I've just gone and touched the boxes and both are warm, but nowhere near hot.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Wow! That's crazy! I have my laptop plugged in all day long (including at night) unless I take it someplace with me. It never gets that hot! Sometimes I'll be laying in bed with it on my stomach, and I have to shift around because it gets really warm, but I've never burned myself, and it's never burned anything else.

Maybe it's the outlet you have it plugged into?

Do you leave it plugged in 24/7? If so, test different outlets, and record the temperature of the charger after the same amount of hours on each outlet. That will help you to determine if maybe there's too much power going to all/or just one outlet.

Hope that helps!
Emily

 

[kherrmann3]

MissBinky wrote:

On a positive note, that is definitely not a first-degree burn

It is redder than what the picture shows. I couldn't get a good shot at it with the camera. It was *almost* a blister (the skin is "loose" there, but no liquid accumulating under the loose skin). Blisters are only present for second-degree burns. I learned that first degree burns are just a little red/pink with possibly some whiteness. It's still red with a little white near the center this afternoon. It still is a bit tender, but other than that, OK. I don't know what temperature your skin can "burn" at, but all I know is my thumb is red and unhappy!

mouse_chalk wrote:

Question- is there any chance a little bunny could have nibbled it a little bit? I ask because that happened to one of mine, and it used to get very hot, and didn't charge my laptop particularly well, even though I had covered it with insulation tape lol. I was amazed at how well it charged after I got a replacement!

I know I need a replacement one. There are plenty of little "nibble marks" through the plastic covering (none into the wires). I have electric-taped them back up. This charger ran hot before the nibbles, though. I took my laptop in to Best Buy (where it was purchased) and they needed to take MY charger with them to fix the computer. When I came to pick it back up, they replaced MY charger with this impostor. They argued with me and said that this was the one I dropped off. Liars. I had them order me a new one (free with the service plan that I have) and the one they sent DOESN'T EVEN WORK. I've tried it in multiple outlets and no luck. I am dragging my heels to go in and get a new one. I hate Best Buy...

 

[Brandy456]

My chargers gets REALLY hot, also the battery of my laptop witch sticks out underneith usually burns my legs if i dont have a towel or pillow. Try wrapping the carger in a little face cloth with some duct tape ( just a little peice so if you want ti off you can take it off)

 

[NZminilops]

kherrmann3 wrote:

MissBinky wrote:

On a positive note, that is definitely not a first-degree burn

It is redder than what the picture shows. I couldn't get a good shot at it with the camera. It was *almost* a blister (the skin is "loose" there, but no liquid accumulating under the loose skin). Blisters are only present for second-degree burns. I learned that first degree burns are just a little red/pink with possibly some whiteness. It's still red with a little white near the center this afternoon. It still is a bit tender, but other than that, OK. I don't know what temperature your skin can "burn" at, but all I know is my thumb is red and unhappy!

Yeah that ^, a first degree burn is the lowest classification of a burn so looks like it could be one to me. Second degree involves blistering and so forth, and you can get up to a 6th degree burn.

I still can't believe it got that hot! Hmm, I wonder could you call the company who made it and enquire about how hot it should be getting?

 

[Brandy456]

Yeah, Maybe call them..

But have you not shut off your laptop in a while.. because if its over heated then yes.. it will be hot.

 

[kherrmann3]

My laptop is plugged in all day, but maybe on for a few hours at a time. I am unemployed, so it's been getting a lot of use (more cute bunny pictures, please?)

 

[Brandy456]

When your not using it maybe it would be best if you shut it off/?

 

[Luv-bunniz]

Brandy456 wrote:

My chargers gets REALLY hot, also the battery of my laptop witch sticks out underneith usually burns my legs if i dont have a towel or pillow.)

I the fan under the laptop or at the side? if so, the reason it gets hot is because, get this, LAPtop's are not made to be put on a flat surface or on clothes. I was having this discusion with a friend the otherday...he burnt his knee, I told him and he said "aaaaaaaaaaaw what dunce made these then? " :biggrin2:

 

[Brandy456]

The fans are usually under, to cool off what ever it is on.

 

[kherrmann3]

I leave the computer off when I am not using it. I meant that when it is on for a few hours a day, that is when I am on it It is normally shut down when I am not using it.

My fan points to the side...

It doesn't matter anymore, though. Toby made sure that this charger will never be used again :grumpy: He chewed through it today and we had to go order a new one (and my laptop is DEAD). I don't have a spare charger. I am on my roommate's computer for the next week... *pout*

 

[MissBinky]

Oopsie sowwy, my bad, I reversed the order of degrees... As in, I thought the 1st degree was worst than the 2nd. Hey I didn't sleep and I'm medicated ok, shhhhhhhhhhh

 

[kherrmann3]

That's OK, I know the feeling. I live with someone, not naming names (WILL ), who will put the gallon of milk "back" into the cupboards if he is too tired. I have found some weird surprises!

 

[MissBinky]

Lol I do all kinds of weird things like that. Me being tired is a danger to society

Oh btw, I thought of you when I saw this... Just forwarding it to you in case. http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/10/31/sony.laptop.recall.ap/index.html

In any case, it'd probably be wise to inform the company