Introduction
This document provides general information about metal surfaces on specific 2008 models of
HP Business Notebook PC products and their interaction with HP Notebook PC 3-prong grounded AC adapters and with third-party 2-prong or otherwise ungrounded AC adapters.
Metal surfaces
For appearance and durability, some HP Business Notebook PC products announced in calendar year 2008, listed below, utilize an aluminum alloy material on some exterior surfaces:
HP EliteBook Series Notebook PC
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC
HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client
HP Docking Station and Advanced Docking Station
On the notebook PC models listed above, this aluminum alloy material is used on the display enclosure that surrounds the display panel and on the area surrounding the keyboard. On the docking stations listed above, this aluminum alloy material is used on the top and sides.
HP Notebook PC AC adapters
HP Omnibook brand notebook PC models were announced prior to 2002 and shipped with a
3-prong grounded AC adapter beginning in 2002. HP Compaq, HP Pavilion, Compaq Evo, and Compaq Presario brand notebook PC models have shipped with a 3-prong grounded AC adapter since 1995. HP plans to continue using 3-prong grounded AC adapters for all notebook PC models.
The benefits of using 3-prong grounded AC adapters include safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. HP Notebook PC AC adapters comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards that include but are not limited to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specifications and international EN 55022 EMC specifications. Through the use of a 3-prong grounded plug, HP Notebook PC AC adapters help reduce the potential for electric current leakage, lower the risk of electric shock, and provide increased user protection from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Third-party ungrounded AC adapters
Under certain circumstances, the use of a third-party 2-prong or otherwise ungrounded AC adapter with a 2008 HP Business Notebook PC product listed above can cause a user to feel a slight tingling sensation when touching the aluminum alloy surfaces. This is not typically a safety concern, and in most cases, it is not harmful to the user or to the product.
HP Notebook PC products and HP Notebook PC AC adapters meet or exceed current applicable safety and regulatory requirements. Therefore, the tingling sensation should not be felt when a listed product is used with a supported HP 3-prong grounded AC adapter. Possible exceptions could be when the notebook PC and a supported HP 3-prong grounded AC adapter are used with an AC outlet which itself has a poor ground or when the 3-prong grounded AC adapter is used where only 2-prong (ungrounded) AC adapters are supported.
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