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I got an power strip from IKEA around 12 months back. I used it for at my desk with the laptop, pc, printer and light plugged in simultaneously. Now I discovered when I was moving that there's a burn mark midway covering around a sixth of the circumference and around 0.5 cm long. There's clearly heating since it's deformed/bent but it's hard to judge the extent of the damage.

  • Since it's only a year old, is it reasonable to go back to IKEA and ask for a replacement?
  • Could the fact that I used the extension cord on a non-earthed wall socket have contributed to the problem (old dutch houses just don't come with them...) and if so, I am liable to see this problem again?
  • Is it safe to continue using this one?

pic http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/images/products/koppla-contactdoos-schakelaar--contact__0293166_PE425719_S4.JPG

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  • I've had something like this happen with a mouse USB cord due to external heating (it was a portion that was near the vent output of the PC) - Was it an actual burn mark (with scorching/melting), or was the insulation just discolored and brittle?
    – Random832
    Mar 19, 2015 at 15:33
  • I had 3 larger size power strips from Ikea, none of them had a burn mark, but every now and them, when plugging something it, there'd be a hiss or pop ... I was lazy and never tossed them - even though I completely agree with @diceless comment below. Luckily in the 10 years this was occurring nothing happened. Upon a recent move, I tossed them and am super thankful that I finally got those pieces of crap out of my life. Not sure I really trust such items to an Ikea branding product.
    – cgmckeever
    Apr 30, 2019 at 22:48

1 Answer 1

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Don't risk your life over a power strip. Throw it away and get a new one.

You can try taking it back and Ikea is pretty good with customer service. But I personally wouldn't be trusting an Ikea power strip with my computer equipment. I would get something a little more heavy duty and has surge protection.

Also is your printer laser or ink jet? If laser you should be treating that device as a small appliance. IE, no power strip/extension cords as they tend to draw high current during the printing processes.

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