DC Jacks Archive • Notebook-Doktor https://www.notebook-doktor.de/en/category/dc-jack-repair Zuverlässige und schnelle Notebook Reparatur Werkstatt Tue, 26 May 2026 18:40:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 216335517 When a damaged charging cable becomes a hazard – a real-world case https://www.notebook-doktor.de/en/2026/03/when-a-damaged-charging-cable-becomes-a-hazard-a-real-world-case Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:32:16 +0000 https://www.notebook-doktor.de/2026/03/when-a-damaged-charging-cable-becomes-a-hazard-a-real-world-case Does your laptop only charge when the plug is in a certain position, or is the cable damaged? Learn why defective charging cables are dangerous and when you should replace them. Discover all tips and tested replacement power adapters in the IPC Shop.

Der Beitrag When a damaged charging cable becomes a hazard – a real-world case erschien zuerst auf Notebook-Doktor.

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In our workshop, we regularly encounter exciting and instructive cases – but this one particularly highlights how important it is to take even seemingly minor damage to the charging cable seriously.

A customer brought in a Medion Erazer Defender P20 with the error description: “Charging port has a loose connection – only charges when the plug is in a certain position.” The technician initially suspected a classic cable break in the laptop charging cable, as such defects often occur when the plug is sharply bent or frequently moved. However, after a thorough examination, it turned out: The power adapter plug was severely damaged – chewed by a pet.

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Table of Contents

Diagnosis: more than a simple loose connection

The charging port itself was firmly soldered, so the fault was not with the laptop but with the damaged charging cable. Although the device still worked, the rule here is: Safety first.

Even small cracks or bite marks in the insulation can cause current to flow uncontrollably, leading to short circuits or overheating. In the worst case, the motherboard, fuse, or battery can be damaged.

Workshop Procedure

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The laptop awaits repair in the Notebook Technology department
  • Defective power jack: Professionally desoldered and resoldered.
  • Top case: Replaced due to a housing crack.
  • Damaged charging cable: Replacement recommended and added to the cost estimate – strongly advised for safety reasons.

After the repair, the device was fully functional again. The report documented: “Charging cable severely damaged – safety risk, replacement recommended.”

Why can even "just" 19 volts be dangerous?

Many users assume that chargers are harmless because the output voltage on the secondary side is below 20 volts. However, this is a misconception.

Defective charging cables can:

  • cause short circuits in the plug or power adapter,
  • generate excessive heat,
  • and in extreme cases even cause fires or scorch marks in the port.

Therefore: Visible damage to the charging cable is always a safety-relevant defect and should never be ignored – whether it’s a pet bite, kink, or break.

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All spare parts for the Medion Erazer Defender P20

Search and find your spare part here in our shop.

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If your charging cable is damaged, hot, or loose – check it yourself immediately or have it checked, but under no circumstances continue to use it. Only tested power adapters ensure a safe and consistent power supply.

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Conclusion

A damaged or chewed charging cable is not a minor flaw but can cause serious safety problems. Even if the laptop still charges, replacing the cable is strongly recommended.

If you need a new, tested laptop charging cable or replacement power adapter, the IPC-Computer-Shop offers a large selection of original and tested replacement power adapters from Delta Electronics, complete with EU power cable, warranty, and express shipping directly from Germany.

Buy Laptop Power Adapters and Charging Cables

Laptop_Power_Adapters

Der Beitrag When a damaged charging cable becomes a hazard – a real-world case erschien zuerst auf Notebook-Doktor.

]]> 20958 Loose connection at the power jack on the Acer Aspire 5 (A517‑52G) notebook https://www.notebook-doktor.de/en/2026/02/loose-connection-at-the-power-jack-on-the-acer-aspire-5-a517-52g-notebook Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:51:54 +0000 https://www.notebook-doktor.de/2026/02/loose-connection-at-the-power-jack-on-the-acer-aspire-5-a517-52g-notebook A loose connection at the power jack on the Acer Aspire 5 can have serious consequences and cause major damage. This post shows how to identify and fix mechanical and electrical contact issues to make the laptop safe and fully functional again.

Der Beitrag Loose connection at the power jack on the Acer Aspire 5 (A517‑52G) notebook erschien zuerst auf Notebook-Doktor.

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Today we’d like to highlight a typical but often underestimated issue that can occur with laptops: a loose connection at the power jack. We’re sharing a real-world case by taking a closer look at an Acer Aspire 5 (A517-52G) from our workshop.

A private customer from Aichtal brought in his device because there were two issues: the touchpad mouse buttons no longer worked, and the power jack was worn out but still functioning. These mechanical and electrical contact problems can quickly get worse if they aren’t identified and fixed in time. With a loose power jack connection, there’s a risk of a short circuit that, in the worst case, can permanently destroy the motherboard. In this post, we explain what matters and how we solve this problem efficiently.

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Table of Contents

Fault analysis and repair

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1. Faulty touchpad

2. Loose connection at the power jack

  • Repair measure: replacement with an original Acer power jack (5.5 / 1.7 mm)
  • Procedure:
    – Desolder the old jack and solder in the new DC jack
    – Rework the connection points and reinforce them mechanically to ensure long-term stability

After both jobs, we carried out a final function and safety test (charging behavior, voltage spikes, power draw, touchpad response) – everything worked perfectly again.

Billing

For replacing the power jack, the jack replacement flat rate of €159 (including the original jack) was charged. In addition, one labor unit for the touchpad repair was added, bringing the total repair cost to €190 gross.

This made the notebook fully functional again – at a price well below the cost of a potential motherboard replacement.

Conclusion

A loose connection at the power jack is not a minor issue, but a potential hazard. Voltage fluctuations or short circuits can permanently damage the motherboard.
In this case, the customer from Aichtal did exactly the right thing by sending the device in for inspection.
Thanks to the professional repair – replacing the power jack with an original part and restoring the touchpad – the device was fully repaired in a cost-effective way.

Der Beitrag Loose connection at the power jack on the Acer Aspire 5 (A517‑52G) notebook erschien zuerst auf Notebook-Doktor.

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