Steam Controller charger nearly caused a fire for one owner
▼ Summary
– The Steam Controller’s magnetic charging puck has exposed contacts that can cause a short circuit and fire if they touch metallic objects, as one Reddit user experienced when their watch strap contacted the puck.
– The Reddit user reported that the puck “started sizzling due to a short circuit” and “almost started a fire” after their metallic watch strap hit it at a wrong angle.
– Valve’s included manual warns that the controller and puck contain magnetic parts that may attract metallic items, posing a risk of sparks and property damage.
– The manual advises users to keep both the controller and puck free of metallic objects to reduce fire hazards.
– The manual also notes that the magnets could interfere with medical devices, credit cards, and magnetic data storage.
When we reviewed the new Steam Controller last month, we praised the magnetic charging puck for its satisfying click and ease of use, noting how it lets users “save the hassle of fiddling with a power cord.” However, a recent incident shared on the r/SteamController subreddit reveals a serious safety concern: those exposed contacts can pose a fire hazard if owners are not careful.
Reddit user Toikka described a frightening experience where the metal portion of the charging puck “started sizzling due to a short circuit” after coming into contact with their metallic watch strap. The strap reportedly flopped down from a nearby watch charger and hit the controller puck “at the exact wrong angle,” an event the user said “almost started a fire.” This highlights a specific risk when metallic objects bridge the exposed contacts on the charging puck.
Valve appears to have anticipated this danger. In the manual included with every Steam Controller, the company explicitly warns that both the charging puck and the controller contain “magnetic parts [that] may attract magnetic items.” Users are instructed to keep both “free of metallic objects” to “reduce the potential risks of sparks and resulting property damage or possible injury.” The manual also cautions that the magnets could interfere with medical devices, credit cards, and magnetic data storage placed nearby. For Steam Controller owners, this serves as a crucial reminder to keep the charging area clear of any loose metal.
(Source: Ars Technica)
