Sony Recalls 3.6 Mln PS2 Power Adapters

Sony Computer Entertainment is recalling roughly 3.6 million power adapters which shipped with the thin version of the PlayStation 2 because they may overheat and melt.

Sony Computer Entertainment, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling approximately 3.6 million power adapters which shipped with the slimmed-down version of Sony’s popular PlayStation 2 gaming console. The adapters may overheat and melt, potentially leading to property damage, personal injury, or fire. Sony says 38 adapters have overheated in the U.S., including 19 cases where the adapters melted and three reports of minor injuries and shocks.

In North America, the recall covers about 960,000 power adapters manufactured by Hipro Electronics which shipped with SCPH-70011 and SCPH-70012 Playstation 2 consoles. The adapters bear date codes between 2004.08 and 2004.12 and with serial numbers beginning with F3. Serial numbers and date codes can be found on the decal on the back of the adapter. In Japan, the recall applies to approximately 60,000 adapters shipped with SCPH-70000CB model consoles with the same manufacturing dates and the model code HP-AT048H03.

The bulk of the defective adapters (approximately 2.3 million) shipped to Europe with SCPH-70002, SCPH-70003, and SCPH-70004 Playstation 2 models. Like the North American and Japanese recalled adapters, the impacted models carry date codes between 2004.08 and 2004.12, and, like the Japanese adapters, carry the model code HP-AT048H03.

Sony recommends users with affected adapters stop using them immediately, unplugging them and permitting them to cool before handling.

In the U.S., consumers can obtain a free replacement adapter from Sony. The company has set up a Web site at http://www.us.playstation.com/Adaptor/ to process adapter replacement requests, or the company can be contacted toll-free at (888) 780-7690 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. PT Monday through Saturday, and between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. PT Sunday.