Cat sleeping on Computer Spower Supply, is this safe?

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Progrocktv - 12 Nov 2006 01:45 GMT

Hi all,
I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
power supply on the floor (the black box between the computer and the
electrical outlet.) My cat likes sleeping on it whenever it's on the
floor (I'm sure it's the warmth). Is this safe for my cat or does it
produce any type of radiation??

Thanks!

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wester@laway.net - 12 Nov 2006 04:43 GMT

>Hi all,
>I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Thanks!

Not sure. If it's OK for us, it should be OK for them. But I don't
really know; ask a vet?

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Matthew - 12 Nov 2006 06:50 GMT

I would be more worried about the power supply getting cat hair in it if it
has an air vent it could short out

>>Hi all,
>>I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Not sure. If it's OK for us, it should be OK for them. But I don't
> really know; ask a vet?

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tension_on_the_wire - 12 Nov 2006 08:15 GMT

> I would be more worried about the power supply getting cat hair in it if it
> has an air vent it could short out
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > Not sure. If it's OK for us, it should be OK for them. But I don't
> > really know; ask a vet?

There's no air vent, it's just a transformer adapter. They do get
quite warm, which is why he likes it, and I have read that cats
can occasionally get bald in areas that are chronically exposed
to hot spots, like in hot water radiators and stuff. If his belly
startes shedding alot, you might want to do something about
it. You could wrap it in a towel, so it's not direct contact.
There's no radiation to worry about though, it's just electricity
changing voltage from one level to another.

--tension

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Roby - 12 Nov 2006 14:08 GMT

> There's no air vent, it's just a transformer adapter. They do get
> quite warm, which is why he likes it, and I have read that cats
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> --tension

Wrapping the power supply in a towel will cause it to get even
hotter, which shortens the life of the components inside. Find
a spot for the power supply where the kitty doesn't fit.

Roby

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null_pointer@nowhere.com.net.edu.gov.de - 12 Nov 2006 17:42 GMT

>Hi all,
>I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Thanks!

Electronic components need to be able to get rid of their heat by some
combination of radiation, conduction or convection. Having a warm
insulated object (fur is a good insulator) on it retards all 3 of
these processes. The cat could easily cause failure of the power
supply. and those things can be very expensive. I doubt there would
be any danger to the cat unless the PS burst into flames (unlikely).

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ChristyLynn - 12 Nov 2006 19:19 GMT

I sure wouldn't let me cat sleep on one. What if they got their claw in one
of the sockets?

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I dont know - 17 Nov 2006 07:57 GMT

> Hi all,
> I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks!

The only danger is if the cat digs its claws into the power cord and
shocks itself, but that could happen with ANY power cord. Even if it
did happen, it would probably survive and would have a healthy respect
for electricity after that.

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F.Robert Falbo - 25 Nov 2006 14:45 GMT

>> Hi all,
>> I use a laptop in my living room about once a week and put the plug-in
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> did happen, it would probably survive and would have a healthy respect
> for electricity after that.

It could be worse. One of my cats loved to sleep on top of my 17" CRT.
Talk about warm! That came to a screeching halt when I turned it on
one day to discover she'd coughed up a hairball into the electronics.
I replaced it with an LCD. :P

Signature

-bob-
_________________________
Unison on OSX... It's the Cat's Meow!

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Roby - 25 Nov 2006 17:29 GMT

> It could be worse. One of my cats loved to sleep on top of my 17" CRT.
> Talk about warm! That came to a screeching halt when I turned it on
> one day to discover she'd coughed up a hairball into the electronics.
> I replaced it with an LCD. :P

My first LCD monitor ($500) committed suicide by leaping off the
desk and landing face down on the floor. I found it in this state
when I got home. We don't have major earthquakes around here. None
of my cats would admit to any horseplay. My homeowner's insurance
did not cover the loss.

My second LCD monitor is placed screen down on the desk when not in
use ... and I make certain the connected cables don't dangle down
near the floor.

Hope this helps!

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