While more and more technology becomes wireless, and our workspaces and homes are less cluttered by cabling, one cord remains steadfast. Most devices we own have a power cord. Cords like the iPhone or iPad cables are certainly low-power and pose less threat, but we need to stay aware of the ones powering bigger devices. Particularly laptop adapters.
As laptop adapters are bustled around and thrown through the cycle of unplugging, wrapping, shoving them in bags, untangling them from your headphones, yanking them out of the wall, catching under chair and table legs, and various other abuses, the insulation wears down and the copper inside can kink, break and cross with other wires. These can also kink at points where the wire meets another component, like the adapter block, or that magnetic end which attaches to the computer. Take great care not to bend these at an extreme angle.
These wires have a large amount of power flowing through them when connected to AC, and can pose a fire hazard when the insulation and shielding is worn or damaged. Should wires fray, or insulation become damaged, we highly recommend ceasing use of the cable. Damaged power cables cannot only start house fires, but may also damage the computer or the laptop’s battery over time as inconsistent power is applied and shorts are caused.
If you see cuts, kinks, fraying or otherwise incongruous/damaged insulation, it might be time for a new cable.