Category: Geeks r Us
Something very strange is going on. I had the adapter for my IBM Thinkpad X32 plugged into a power strip with the Mac's adapter and nothing else. When I plugged the other end into the Thinkpad, I started to hear this whining, like a small hair dryer. At first, I thought it was the computer's fan but then thought it must be coming from the adapter. I unplugged the Mac adapter. The second time I tried, when I unplugged the end from the Thinkpad, the sound continued for a few seconds. I then unplugged it's adapter completely and let it cool for about half an hour. Now, when I plugged everything back in, the sound wasn't there. But is it safe to do this? Will it explode, short out, damage the machine in any way or cause a fire or was that some kind of built-in warning from the adapter when it overheats? I never had this happen and almost always keep it plugged in, unless I take it into another room or outside. I highly doubt that it would explode but had to add it for good measure. Thanks.
No, no, no! My computer's adapter does this to, and it is a signal that it is working perfectly. I only become worried when it is silent, and then I check the connections. Of course, mine is extremely quiet, but that should varry on the adapter.
Thanks for responding so quickly. Mine never did this before so that's why it scared the hell out of me. It's plugged in now and isn't making a sound, so this is very encouraging. I checked the battery status and it also appears to be charging. I know it seems silly now, but never having had this experience, I thought it would start a fire or short out the circuit or something.
So did I, but I guess it's just the sound of the electricity being changed or something. I'd better go to bed, as its 11:05 here. Hum away my adapter goes.
This is a bit of a bump, but the sound isn't a good thing - I'm not the best electronics person, but it could be a couple of things:
1: Some form of insulation is used around the coils in the transformer to prevent vibration. On older or cheaper adaptors this can become less effective. I fixed a psu that was squeeling once by treating the coils.
In this situation, you don't really have anything to worry about.
2: There may be a bad cap inside the transformer. Capacitors don't make the noise, but it will be the bad cap which is making the transformer make a noise.
Capacitors do explode pretty violently given how small some of them are, so in this situation, I'd replace the transformer.
Rule of thumb as far as I'm aware is that quiet high pitched noise is just the coils; anything louder could be capacitors.
Mine is quiet high-pitched noise, not sure about tiff's though.
I agree with B3N it's the lower hum you don't want.
My daughter's iPod charger - which I bought at a Rat Shack to replace the original that got lost - has a tendency to do this. It's audible, in the RF or very high frequencies, like a television screen if you can hear that, only two-toned.
Probably two cheap coils.
Aside from what B3N said I'd just add don't let it get really cold, as in take it outside in the snow to go someplace, and then immediately plug it in. Not a good idea anyway, but the contraction expansion effect on the insulation will just make things worse.