How does AC power adaptor fail?

[Theyn]

My Acer VN7-591G's AC adaptor failed yesterday all of a sudden, without any sings of damage. I bought a new one today from Acer center. I'm wondering how an AC adapter fails and how to avoid a failure in the future. Maybe not unplugging and plugging in every time the battery runs low? Or using a power strip that protects from surges? I've never heard of an AC adaptor failing, usually it's the computer.

 

[1shado1]

What do you mean by it failing? Did the electronics in the power brick cash in their chips, or did the cable that plugs into the laptop go bad?

Sometimes a component inside the brick just fails. And sometimes the wiring inside the power cable that plugs into the laptop breaks inside the insulation without any obvious damage on the outside, due to being flexed back and forth so many times. Usually right before the end that plugs into the laptop.

Do you move your laptop around a lot, or does it mostly sit in the same spot? Both of mine just sit in the same spots, so I seldom unplug them from the adapter (maybe once a month to exercise the battery). Less movement means less flexing of the cable end.

 

[Scottray]

I've had a power brick go bad - it happens occasionally.

 

[Theyn]

Maybe I should just keep it plugged in all the time since it mainly just sits on the desk most of the time.

 

[1shado1]

Maybe I should just keep it plugged in all the time since it mainly just sits on the desk most of the time.

I agree. 😀