Spontaniously Exploding Bench PSUs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 05:19:27 pm
content: What happened?!

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 05:28:32 pm
content: Anyone around here have one of those?NowTHERE'san argument for, "Don't turn it on, take it apart!"

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 05:31:26 pm
content: Clearly something overheated, then caught fire and then it took the rest with it. Good luck finding where it started now...

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 06:16:09 pm
content: Maybe your student decided to connect the output to the mains with a nail in the fuse! has been known

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 06:18:55 pm
content: An over-unit or cold-fusion event.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:01:47 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on June 07, 2017, 05:31:26 pmOriginally I thought the peltier probably overheated, due to inadequate cooling.But from the wiring, it travels off to the right, so I don't think it is that.

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:59:33 pm
content: I've got the 30v 5a version of that power supply. Something about it made me very nervous the second I pulled it out of the box. Now I'm even more worried.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:20:37 pm
content: Quote from: skarecrow on June 07, 2017, 08:59:33 pm"Don't turn it on, take it apart!"

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:38:24 pm
content: Overrated? Cheap components? Poor thermal design? Assembly fault?

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:57:26 pm
content: Those sell for under $35 shipped. Why is anybody surprised it burned up?

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 10:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on June 07, 2017, 09:20:37 pmA-paaaaaaahhht!I may do just that this weekend if I'm not too busy with other things.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 12:20:57 am
content: I have one that I was tasked to fix, that assploded. I will post pics if you guys want them. Whatever died, took the transformer with it (yihua 3010 I believe)

author: abraxa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 06:22:21 am
content: Since there were high currents drawn when it went belly up it makes me wonder if maybe the ESR of the output caps is too high, causing excessive heat due to high ripple currents because of the high load? Or maybe some output-side FETs are undersized? But then again I wouldn't expect a SMPS to have FETs on the output side in the first place...Or maybe I'm overthinking this and some PCB traces are simply too thin and started to glow

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 06:33:07 am
content: This makes me wary of plastic instruments. If it was near the edge of a table, what could have been a simple smoke event could have turned into a pile of burning shit falling on a flammable chair with someones coat on it. (old) Sorensen (quality brand) does this with their power supplies too, the front face is basically held on by plastic clips sandwiched down by the case cover.I had a bunch of fire wood roll out of an overloaded chimney once... Scary shit, especially if the fire is started by a MOV when its off. This is a good reason why the protection circuitry should be placed after the switch, and why full burn testing is a good idea.Mine are high up on a shelf too (with power connected). Thankfully the PCBs are pretty well connected to a heat sink that is connected to the chassis base, but still, i would not want a ball of flaming shit to fall out of the power supply and spray all over the room! This shit made me paranoid. It's like a murder hole in a castle.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder-hole

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 03:05:40 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on June 07, 2017, 09:57:26 pmThis one was "10A". Most I've seen are 3 or 5A rated. Perhaps this had been aftermarket modified in which case who is surprised it melted?I wouldn't leave mine unattended though.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 03:45:04 pm
content: Quote from: RGB255_0_0 on June 13, 2017, 03:05:40 pmIs there no thermal cutoff built into these circuits, or is it something that does not apply for more extreme overheating cases, or is it simply impossible to fully protect against all possible overheating causes?

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 04:19:02 pm
content: The 10 amp versions actually cost an extra $25. I don't think they're a safety hazard because of where they are made, but there's no way they can be anything but cheap garbage and I wouldn't risk having one in my home even if it was free.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 04:34:59 pm
content: Quote from: kalel on June 13, 2017, 03:45:04 pmDoesn't look like it (2 NTCs on the mains input, though). But it's only 3A limit - if I want more I have other options.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 04:46:33 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on June 13, 2017, 04:19:02 pmBut has anyone done a side-by-side to see if they are using higher rating components? Just because it's more expensive doesn't change the argument that they weren't modified 5A ones to allow 10A.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 05:05:03 pm
content: It would almost be worth the price to do a comparison if no one has done it already. I looked for 10 amp versions on ebay this morning, but it seems they are all "out of stock" now.I have considered buying one of this type just to see how bad it is inside. It might actually be okay for the price and able to meet its specifications.http://www.ebay.com/itm/15V1A-Precision-Variable-DC-Power-Supply-Clip-Cable-Digital-Adjustable-Lab-Grade-/390681828322

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 05:36:38 pm
content: I seehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/30V-10A-Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-Precision-Variable-Dual-Digital-Lab-Test-110V/391321591608?rt=ncwhich has sold 1,000+ units already. I'm leaning towards the on fire one was likely isolated and not something to be too concerned about in all honesty.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 05:49:08 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on June 07, 2017, 09:57:26 pmOut of curiosity, where? I'm not seeing them for under $60 shipped.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 05:58:26 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 14, 2017, 05:49:08 pmI had to later qualify that statement.Quote from: rdl on June 13, 2017, 04:19:02 pmSo there may be more differences than just the labeling.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 06:34:20 pm
content: Quote from: Tomorokoshi on June 07, 2017, 05:28:32 pmYes... thanks for the heads up!My general rule is that China && cheap == fire.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 07:28:22 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on June 14, 2017, 05:58:26 pmI know, I wasn't even talking about the 10A versions later mentioned. I'm not seeing 5A ones for under $60 shipped. (OK, I came across one for $55. But nowhere near $35.)

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 07:38:10 pm
content: Here is one, but it only ships to the US. Elsewhere, I guess you would have to source direct from China for a similar price.http://www.ebay.com/itm/30V-5A-Digital-DC-Power-Supply-Variable-Adjustable-Lab-Bench-Test-Equipment-Tool-/272661212540A lot of the sellers are somewhat sneaky, advertising the 3 amp price (or even 1 amp), but actually selling multiple types, all of which are more expensive once you make the selection.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 09:27:41 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 14, 2017, 05:49:08 pm$59 shipped with multiturn pots:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MCH-K3010D-0-30V-0-10A-Portable-Mini-DC-regulated-Adjustable-DC-power-supply-Mobile-phone/32813431096.html$58:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LW-3010D-110V-220V-Mini-Adjustable-Digital-DC-power-supply-0-30V-0-10A-Switching/32798990486.htmlI would spend $2-3 more for one from a highly rated seller though.Also these are switching supplies so, maybe the shipping cost of the linears is too high?

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 10:35:26 pm
content: Quote from: madires on June 07, 2017, 09:38:24 pmThe perfect reply if you leave out out all those '?'s

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 01:20:00 am
content: Come on, they are ~cheapskate magnet~TRASH, end of storyI've been in enough of them to see consistent "Overrated, Cheap components, Poor thermal design, Assembly fault,"and CLUMSY DANGEROUS STUPIDITY that's allowed to 'slip' past the sweat shoppe assembly lines, and find it's way to our shores.Buy your son and daughter one of these POS to work with at home, for their school course or hobby,and if/when the house catches fire because a project was left powered up or the user took a nap,PRAYyour insurer pays out, once the investigator has a good look and sniff around, and spots a cremated shoddy product gone south.Assuming everyone got out in time to call the insurer, pets included

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 01:58:35 am
content: Maybe these use Samsung Note 7 parts?

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 02:36:04 am
content: Don't turn it on,DON'T take it apart!(sorry Dave, not this suss puppy)Save the carton box for storage,Toss the crap in the trash BEFORE it takes out your lungs, DUT and LAB!(yes, yes, the rubber feet and nice power cord too, ALL in the trash, and smother it with greasy food and used engine oil too, take no chances on it ever returning again, anywhere!)

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 08:16:50 am
content: What difference does it make whether the fire started inside or outside the power supply, take a look at that hellbound joke of a PSU!the owner is FORTUNATE he still has somewhere to shack up and sleep,and to have such GOLD neighbors that noticed the indoor BBQ going on and took actionWe are also fortunate to have people like Big Clivebringing issues like this to our attention, AGAINand to never forget that MOST of these -cheapskate magnet- excuses for lab equipment are undeniable POSso...BUY AT YOUR PERIL !

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 08:39:00 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on June 14, 2017, 09:27:41 pmI guess you missed my other comment, where I said I saw some for $55, but nothing distantly approaching $35 shipped, which was the original claim.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 09:31:48 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on June 15, 2017, 06:05:37 amI would normally suspect the PSU, in the first instance, but people with DIY 3d printers have had the printer catch fire. Inadequate connections or wiring lead to overheating, and untreated plastic burns really well.It isjust plausiblethat something near the PSU caught fire, and that ignited the front panel, but it is hard to tell from the video. Still, I would not expect the PSU to burn so comprehensively due to external heat source, the plastic on the PSI should be flame retardant. That stuff is impossible to light even with a direct flame, like a cigarette lighter. I have tried this on the plastic we use in our products at work.Well, I am not going to set fire to my Aim-TTi bench PSU to find out!

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 10:08:55 am
content: I would bet the Chinese power supply was not UL approved. But westerners are so greedy and foolish, they would risk life and limb to save a few dollars when buying this crap made in China.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 10:48:28 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on June 15, 2017, 10:08:55 amWow, beat me to it, you must be youngeror same school

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 10:58:50 am
content: This (different) power supply, catches on fire, while being filmed, here:(N.B. Note the amazingly safe mains voltage (and wiring) handing by the film maker)

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 12:43:45 pm
content: Forget the "Spontaniously Exploding Bench PSUs" and future ulcers and go for one of these instead:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/%28fs%29-clear-out-sale-lots-of-adjustable-power-supply-%28kenwood-kikusui-%29/msg1234293/?topicseen#msg1234293

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:03:18 pm
content: Here is the label from a 5 amp version. It has both the CE mark and a "QC Passed" sticker. What more could a person want?

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:28:28 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on June 15, 2017, 06:03:18 pmBut noone has shown proof that these are inherently unsafe beside the usual rhetoric "made in China" garbage. From what I can see the solder quality, filtering is pretty good. Better than some Lite-on and Delta laptop supplies I've seen.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 10:22:24 pm
content: EVERY ONE of these products, the re-badges, and other similar products from the same production lines I have opened up, ALL needed attention of some sort,even if the soldering and layout was passable, there is always something loose, cold solder joints in hard to access places, rattling transformers rivetted down instead of bolted, cheap capacitors near heatsinks, glue gunk everywhere to hold the s*** together, loose or flakey earth/ground wiring,the list goes on and on...They are suspect ticking time b0mb crap and avoid them like the plague

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 09:51:09 am
content: Shouldn't it be the standard procedure for cheap stuff? I mean, to open it before plugging in the first time, and doing your own QC.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 12:30:38 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on June 15, 2017, 10:58:50 amAnd that is exactly how UL do their testing

author: X
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 12:55:51 pm
content: Undertakers Laboratories?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 01:06:23 pm
content: Quote from: donotdespisethesnake on June 16, 2017, 12:30:38 pmI'm not sure that I understand your post, sorry ?

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 01:31:17 pm
content: Could do with a better quality picture, but we can isolate down where it began fromFrom the image in the video, the fire was occurring at the front edge of the main pcb, possibly the connectors / mains switchAs the supply is current limited, I forsee 3 options,1. Component near front side of the board, say an output capacitor blew, and remains as a partial short, drying out its paper then catching fire.2. The output connectors to the front panel had poor connections, and 1 began heating, oxidising and so on until it was consuming almost the full power (unlikely as he had a load on it)3. The mains switch wires shorted to case, either nicked in assembly, crimped against the casing, or a loose spade crimp, this i see as the most likley, as if its not an RCD protected circuit, and its not a perfect short, it can generate far more heat than the output ever could, while still not tripping the fuse depending on where in the circuit it sits.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 01:14:13 am
content: Quote from: madires on June 16, 2017, 09:51:09 am100% must doespecially in this century, even with the good stuff, I've seen and fixed some amazing silly blunders on top shelf equipment !covered in safety and testing lab passed stickers aka (()) 'BS testing'But not everyone is aware of that, nor what to look for, especially newbies to electronicsand classic 'smart cheapskates' that believe good looks, cheap prices and sniping in the final bid on Ebay means a great bargain

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 02:33:39 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 17, 2017, 01:14:13 amMost people have no hope of doing their own QC. Who is going to test internal wiring for flammability? I would not trust any safety labelling on any electronics that come from a Chinese brand. Their safety labels mean nothing. The more of this crap you have in your home, the higher the changes of a major fire.There is little incentive for shady characters not to import dangerous goods into Australia if they are going to make money. The "cable girl" Lu Luo who imported the time-bomb Infinity brand TPS cable from China, creating the biggest recall in Australia, only got fined just $18,000.With the apartment tower fire in Kensington, the working class residents were ignored by the council over fire safety concerns. Here in Melbourne we have many high-rise buildings (maybe as many as 100) with the dodgy Chinese cladding. In 2014 there was a major fire in one of them (the Lacrosse building) due to this highly flammable unapproved cladding.It is still on the building after three years since the fire. Maybe if family members of our politicians were in the building it would be a different story.The point is, no one really cares when there is money to be made.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 03:10:08 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on June 17, 2017, 02:33:39 amThat is crazy as regards the skyscrapers with the dangerous cladding. We have lost something like 100 people, because of it, in London, in the last few days. Exact death figures not released yet (but at least 30, with up to 76 still missing, last I heard, so far).Hopefully some good will come out of the recent tragedy in London, and they can make the skyscrapers in Australia, safer, as a result.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 03:58:23 am
content: This is all along the same lines as...

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 05:08:19 am
content: The dog box high rise 'housing' in Australia is going up faster than one of those crappy PSU housings can burn to the groundI don't think anything would be done to increase safety here, even after 60 unfortunate and tragic incidents like the one in LondonToo many rich psychopath neanderthals here with big pockets and small ****s grabbing the fast easy cashCrummy payola councils have awarded them a license to print money,yet will give red tape admin hell to any wage earning battler who wants to build a small extension to their house,so their last parent with one foot at death's door can live comfortably and be close to familyThe most 'action' you'll get is BS drama on current affairs shows,chasing suspect builders exhibiting monster tradie cracksdown back alleys,and into a waiting limo

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 05:19:58 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 17, 2017, 05:08:19 amThat would be crazy and highly dangerous. All it would need is one or more of these potentially dangerous/unsafe electronic products, such as these power supplies. To set a building on fire, possibly during the middle of the night. Then another terrible tragedy could unwind. Like this recent London one.I can understand that there are businesses that would build, these skyscrapers, as cheaply as possible. But there should be robust building laws/regulations and checks/inspections etc. To ensure things are built to a reasonably good, or better safety standard.If such a fire killed one person, in the immediate vicinity of the problem (e.g. a psu which catches on fire), I can sort of understand this, but it is still very sad. But it must not rapidly set the whole skyscraper on fire, and hence potentially kill a hundred or more people. That would be crazy.tl;drIn the same way electronics should be designed and built to be SAFE.Skyscrapers round the world, should also be designed and built to be safe.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 05:56:37 am
content: They can build well enough to pass strict building codes,codes which may take years to script up,but who knows how shoddy and quick the gas and electricals were done once it's all cladded up, rendered and 'out of sight'and who knows what rate the building materials and furniture are going to bake and spread in a real fire ?You can take it to the bank that at 4.30 am, any incident will be at least a 90 percent people cash out rate by the time any alarm is raised,and the stressed heroic fire crews, harassed by imbecilic street 'panickers', get a chance to rig up their gear,assess priorities,and make the hard decisions of who and what can be saved,without getting trashed themselves.

author: X
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 06:44:40 am
content: Give me an old well-built asbestos-riddled building over a modern flimsy "artistic" hipster-grade building any day.As for the small shits who are in it for the quick cash:

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 08:38:17 am
content: LOL, I haven't watched the video yet to already KNOW exactly where it's at(I wouldn't hire either of these clowns as shark bait or even for street drug dealer target range practice)An "asbestos-riddled building" can be sorted out with suitable body, face and breathing mask protection, and a good coat/s of sealer paint,if you don't want to get medieval and needlessly remove the asbestos.Yep, old school buildings are the way to go, and the neighbours are usually not pretentious ****heads

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 11:04:42 am
content: The cheap USB chargers from China are another example. A woman was killed in Sydney thanks to a faulty one where 240V active was connected to her iPad. The NSW government subsequently lied to the public to cover up their incompetence over shonky USB chargers being sold out of cheapo Chinese imports stores.I would bet a week's salary that in the UK, no politician's head will roll and no council employees will face criminal charges over the Kensington fire. Cressida Dick, the Teflon-coated woman who ordered the murder of Jean Charles de Menezes actually got a huge promotion to the top job in the Met Police soon after. No charges were ever laid against Jean's executioners or anyone else involved with the murder.I guess in a class-based society like the UK, some people are more valued than others based upon their class. If the Kensington flats were inhabited by A-list celebrities or politicians, the fire would not have happened in the first place. In most if not all countries, poor people do not really have much of a voice.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 01:52:49 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on June 17, 2017, 11:04:42 amQuote from: Cyberdragon on June 17, 2017, 03:58:23 amI got a cheap pink usb charger...from China

author: X
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 02:13:56 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 17, 2017, 08:38:17 amI've seen enough of these clowns in action in recent years to confirm the accuracy of the video.I don't fully blame the tradies for this mess. Clients want quick and cheap, so they get cheap architects, and cheap builders who hire cheap clowns. Mandatory standards in the hands of privatised standards bodies, architects obsessed with art instead of function, builders being the Safety Gestapo, and stereo-enriched tradies importing junk from China yield interesting results.Quote from: Electro Detective on June 17, 2017, 08:38:17 amIt's good practice to avoid drilling or cutting into it, but even that's easy if need be. Flood the area liberally with lots of water while drilling and collect the contaminated water for disposal where possible, like concrete core drilling. Afterwards, seal the hole up with sealer or paint. The only asbestos I would be worried about removing is the friable fluffy insulation stuff they used to use.Quote from: Electro Detective on June 17, 2017, 08:38:17 amThere are exceptions though, such as housing commission buildings and ghetto areas run down by immigrants of bad character and councils who don't give a shit.

author: tronde
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 07:06:45 pm
content: The National Electrical Safety Board (Elsäkerhetsverket) in Sweden has just published a safety report on USB chargers sold in Sweden.They tested 60 chargers for safety. Besides the usual errors in documentation they found among others that17 chargers had critical errors in the safety transformer14 chargers had critical errors in the X/Y capacitors14 chargers had too small clerarance distances15 chargers had too small creepage distances12 chargers was not made of fire retardant materials so they burnt out completely in case of a fire13 chargers failed the 3000V test on mains supply8 chargers had less than 1mm creepage or clearance distances, 5 had between 1mm and 2mm. Clearance should be at least 4mm and creepage should be at least 5mm.The report is available from here, unfortunately only in Swedishhttp://www.elsakerhetsverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/rapporter/elsak-granskning-usbladdare-2017.pdfFor those not familiar with Swedish, it should be mentioned that all tests related to market control was conducted by an accredited test laboratory. They did some tests inhouse regarding temperature, EMC, output voltage stability and current capacity, but those tests does not have any legal implications.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 01:33:26 am
content: Do the USB car chargers fare any better ?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 03:48:42 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 18, 2017, 01:33:26 am

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 04:47:09 am
content: for the car ones, 9 out of 10 times, they are built to a cost, then cost reduced 2 more times, and cost at the store really doesnt play into it at all, e.g. the $5 one may have a decent chip based buck regulator, while the $35 one may be a single transistor pwm regulator,this is outside of meeting any automotive power system filtering or protection, in all the ones i have come across even some of the oem ones leave this out past a diode and an LC filter.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 06:38:44 am
content: So does the consumer have half a chance in hell (of not going there) if they use the charging accessories supplied with the main phone and tablet vendors?i.e. Samsung, Apple, LG, Nokia etc

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 08:58:12 am
content: for mains chargers, yes, but only if you buy them directly from the manufacturer, otherwise its far too easy to get a fake,For car chargers, i prefer to get the cheapies with a screw together casing and assess them myself, if its crap, throw an automotive 5V switcher from digikey in and be done with it,

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 09:49:52 am
content: I found out the hard way when I bought 2 DSE 240 volt to USB chargers,they looked well built, ok specs, blah...one killed a Samsung S4 battery, the other caused other issues,took a while to work it outBoth are now charging my USB sledge hammerThe scumbags that make and dump these pos on our shores in unbreakable blister packagingdeserve a tar and feathering,and a camel to have their way with them in publicand **** DSE, they didn't do aussies any favors towards the end,good riddance to a waste of shopping mall space

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 11:31:05 am
content: Quote from: Rerouter on June 18, 2017, 04:47:09 amPWM regulator?Couldn't you just use a boring 7805 regulator that costs peanuts, if you're not using a buck converter?

author: uwezi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 11:57:19 am
content: Quote from: tronde on June 17, 2017, 07:06:45 pmInteresting report - thanks for posting!

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 12:18:17 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 18, 2017, 11:31:05 amRegulators! That's high quality! The REAL cheap shit ones have...DIODES...that's right, just diodes, nothing else except maybe a resistor and a LED.

author: tronde
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 03:44:07 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 18, 2017, 06:38:44 amThe Swedish report is based on chargers sold as a separate item. None of chargers carrying "brand names" had critical errors. Some of them failed on the paper work (EU declaration), but it was not considered as critical.Page 82/83 in the report shows the results.Avslut utan anmärkningmeans everything OK.Avslut med överlåtelse av ansvarmeans small errors that can be rectified by the supplier without intervention from the authorities.In this group you find 17EV2198 Samsung (kopia) EP-TA50EWE which is a copy of a Samsung product.Försäljningsförbudmeans not allowed to sell.Säljstopp/försäljningsförbud med återkallelse från konsumentmeans not allowed to sell and product recall from consumers.In this group you find 17EV1970 Nokia (kopia) AC-50E. This is a copy of Nokia AC-50E, not the real thing.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 08:31:24 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on June 17, 2017, 02:33:39 amJust to be clear, the cladding used on the Grenfell tower in Kensington was made by Omnis Exteriors, a British Company. The kicker is that it is now emerging that it only had building standards approval for low rise use.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 05:44:13 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on June 18, 2017, 08:31:24 pmAuthorities better block the airports asap in case negligent parties do a runner in private jets, helicopters out to sea boats,or call in favors from their saucer flying pen pals on Planet Xotherwise there'll no one to get money from, much less blame

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 10:12:30 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 19, 2017, 05:44:13 amYou don't know how this works do you? All the people who are culpable are in public office in some way or the other, either elected or staff. This will cost them not one penny in fines or compensation and they will spend exactly 0 seconds in jail. Scapegoats outside their political class will be found...

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 11:50:59 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on June 19, 2017, 10:12:30 amHow right. No-one in public office will spend any time in jail over Kensington. Public servants and the political class are like coated with Teflon. There is little if any accountability. In the end they are in it for themselves and their own interests first and foremost. You as a citizen come second.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 10:23:57 pm
content: Totally agree, the blame will get hand balled around for years till 'time heals', memories wander, and a few payouts eventually made.The next big disaster overshadows the last, and so forth.Works every time, amazing how those creeps running these shows can sleep at night in their cushy solid built mansions

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 02:01:30 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 19, 2017, 10:23:57 pmA few years ago the Australian government here handed out massive pay rise to all federal politicians, some as high as a 40% increase. The cowards announced it during the Christmas break to minimise the fallout, hoping that the media and the public would forget it by the time they went back to work weeks later. They also announced huge pay rises to top public servants on the basis of compensation for the removal of the bonus system - they instead get the bonus every year irrespective of performance - all paid by taxing the workers. When queried by the media about justifying the pay rises of the politicians, the politicians stated, "We just follow the independent pay tribunal." And guess who pays the salaries of the "independent pay tribunal?" Their government. Not surprisingly it is one thing all politicians agree on when they vote - pay rises for themselves. This subclass is the one big reason our young cannot afford to buy a house, and the number of homeless are growing alarmingly. Meanwhile workers wages have gone backwards in real dollar terms. In fact just today they voted to remove penalty payments for our lowest paid and most vulnerable workers. Calling them hypocrites and bastards is being kind to this political class.I think the reason most engineers never go into politics is they have too much integrity, are more useful to society and less concerned about "what is in it for me". For a start, engineers could definitely do a much better job at introducing change because they understand control theory.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 04:31:50 pm
content: Clive's done a teardown.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 04:42:32 pm
content: Lol.. ugly british plugs... Would not happen with a proper EU/Schuko oneBut really worth noting for the UK users!That unstable current regulator is funtastic!