Sony Ericsson has recalled around 350,000 phone chargers in the UK because of a fault that could cause the units to explode, resulting in flying pieces of plastic and exposed live wiring.
The CST-13 phone charger, which is manufactured in Thailand by a company called Delta, has an identification number -- BML 162 099/3 R1A -- printed on the socket and is supplied with Sony Ericsson Phone Models T68i, T300, T310, T610, as well as several Bluetooth hands-free accessories. The charger has also been sold separately.
According to Sony Ericsson, a pressure build-up in the charger can caused the top plastic part of the charger to break off, with the danger of hitting someone. When this happens, electronics within the charger could be exposed, creating the risk of electric shock or fire.
Richard Dorman, PR manager at Sony Ericsson, told ZDNet UK that the company is still not sure what causes the problem, but they suspect it is something to do with gas. "The units are ultrasonically sealed so when there is a build-up in pressure, there is nowhere for the gas to escape -- we are still looking at what causes the build-up of pressure."
Dorman said that there have only been 10 reported cases of the fault, and nobody has been injured.
Sony Ericsson advises customers with a suspect model to stop using it immediately and contact their customer care centre on 0800 587 6072. The company will dispatch a replacement immediately and send a pre-paid envelope so the user can return the faulty unit.
Talkback
To help the gas escape, sony ericsson could just put a hole in the top of the charger, then the gas could escape and the pressure wouldn't build up so the top would be less likely to blow off. The only situation in which this would not be appropriate would be if the gas is poisonous. Please let me know if that is the case.
My Sony Ericsson charger exploded last week in the same way. The electronics exposed and blackened with soot. However this is made in china by Astec. Model number AA21990(UK).
Standard charger CST-13
BML 162 160/3 R3B Type 4020074-UK
Surely this should also have been recalled?
A new charger I purchased for my Sony Ericcson exploded a few hours ago. This model was made by a company called "Millenium"
website: www.millenium.com.pl
Hopefully these will be recalled soon!
A charger I purchased for my Sony Ericcson exploded a few hours ago.... I am still shaking. This model was manifactured by a company called MILLENIUM (http://www.millenium.com.pl)
Hopefully these will be recalled too!