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Xbox 360 Power Supply Blamed for Arkansas House Fire

Posted by timothy on from the when-burning-in-hell-is-just-too-late dept.

Beryllium writes "In Arkansas, an XBox 360's power supply (or power cord, the story is a bit ambiguous) apparently caused a fire with over $10,000 in damages. The fire chief says that it was probably due to the power supply unit being crammed into a space that had poor air circulation. The previously-documented heat issues with 360s led me to buy 'Andy', an affordable IKEA wireframe stand for my gaming system — with drawers! Since I've also got the power supply inside one of the unit's drawers, it should have more than adequate airflow to dissipate heat. I wonder what other airflow-improving ideas Slashdotters have come up with for their consoles?"

4 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Huh? by B3ryllium · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't know about yours, but my XBox manual doesn't have any nudity or swearing.

  2. Re:Are you sure...? by OMNIpotusCOM · · Score: 3, Informative

    From the XBox 360 Manual

    Failure to properly set up, use, and care for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system can increase the risk of serious injury or death, or damage to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system

    Do not block any ventilation openings on the console or power supply. Do not place the console or power supply on a bed, sofa, or other soft surface that may block ventilation openings. Do not place the console or power supply in a confined space, such as a bookcase, rack, or stereo cabinet, unless the space is well ventilated.

    From the Amazon description of power cables

    Features: Internal cooling fan
  3. Unlikely by gweihir · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Birch-type PSUs have to have overheating protection. Without that the diesign would be crimonally neglient. It is far more likely that this was one of the incompetently done power connections, were MS showed its typical lack of understanding for engineering questions.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  4. Re:Are you sure...? by enosys · · Score: 3, Informative

    There should be protective devices inside which prevent a fire even in those conditions. For example simple transformer based wall warts have an overtemperature protector inside the transformer windings. I thought such protection was necessary to get UL certification.