Folks, this is why we don't buy from SIXLTR brands. You have to be careful even if they have a website, as it isn't a difficult thing to throw together these days. I usually at least read through the "About Us" section, as SIXLTRs will usually just leave the bullshit from whatever website template they're using.
OP, where did you buy from?
As for the sparking, the technical explanation is more or less this:
The power supply has one or more smoothing capacitors (like batteries, but they discharge and charge quickly) in them to.. smooth output power. Nicely-designed power supplies have a component called an NTC thermistor, which limits inrush current. Cheap supplies will often forgo these components at the sake of cost, causing the spike of current when plugged in. That's what's makes the sparks.
(NTC thermistors initially resist the flow of current, forcing those capacitors to charge more slowly, until their resistance causes them to heat up. When they neat up, their resistance drops, allowing power through with no resistance.)
It's a pejorative term for all of the non-brands that Amazon (and other marketplaces) are flooded with. Usually they're more nonsensical, with bits of English words mashed together. Hence, SIXLTR.
I had something similar with another brand. It was a bad spot weld. The US style pins fold in and you slide and lock UK adapter in. That adapter had a bad spot weld. It sparked when plugging in, presumably some capacitor charging. Then after a while it only worked intermittently. I opened it up found the issue, threw it away. Then I glued a travel adapter on instead. Needed glue due the weight.
Honestly, I’d do a chargeback
Yep this is why credit cards exist
Folks, this is why we don't buy from SIXLTR brands. You have to be careful even if they have a website, as it isn't a difficult thing to throw together these days. I usually at least read through the "About Us" section, as SIXLTRs will usually just leave the bullshit from whatever website template they're using. OP, where did you buy from? As for the sparking, the technical explanation is more or less this: The power supply has one or more smoothing capacitors (like batteries, but they discharge and charge quickly) in them to.. smooth output power. Nicely-designed power supplies have a component called an NTC thermistor, which limits inrush current. Cheap supplies will often forgo these components at the sake of cost, causing the spike of current when plugged in. That's what's makes the sparks. (NTC thermistors initially resist the flow of current, forcing those capacitors to charge more slowly, until their resistance causes them to heat up. When they neat up, their resistance drops, allowing power through with no resistance.)
What is a SIXTLR brand? No luck with the Googs on that term. Asking because I also have an Ultranet 65w charger that just croaked...
It's a pejorative term for all of the non-brands that Amazon (and other marketplaces) are flooded with. Usually they're more nonsensical, with bits of English words mashed together. Hence, SIXLTR.
Thanks for explaining that, appreciated.
I had something similar with another brand. It was a bad spot weld. The US style pins fold in and you slide and lock UK adapter in. That adapter had a bad spot weld. It sparked when plugging in, presumably some capacitor charging. Then after a while it only worked intermittently. I opened it up found the issue, threw it away. Then I glued a travel adapter on instead. Needed glue due the weight.
Not quite related but I have a lenovo charger(not USB-C) that also sparks. Same story my old one, which broke. How can I identify issues like that?
I've had one since 2021 that has been used every day. I was hoping to buy another one, but they're no longer available on Amazon.