Power Adapters with IBM RDX Back Up Hard Disk Drives
CPSC Recall #10-706 — November 9, 2009
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 10-706 |
| Recall Date | November 9, 2009 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 90 |
| Manufacturer | Hon-Kwang Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., of Guang-Dong, China |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| IBM authorized distributors and resellers nationwide from January 2009 through July 2009 for between $330 and $760. |
Product
Power Adapters with IBM RDX Back Up Hard Disk Drives
Description
This recall involves power adapters sold with IBM RDX removable back up hard disk drives. The data storage devices were sold with a power adapter that fits various country specific plugs. "Hon-Kwang Electric (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd" is printed on the adapters. IBM and RDX are printed on the back up hard disk drives.
Hazard
A plastic weld on the power adapters can fail and allow two parts to separate, exposing live electrical contacts. This poses a shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the power adapters and contact your IBM service provider to determine if their adaptor is involved in this recall. Consumers with the affected adapters will receive a free replacement adapter.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.