Anker Power Strip Surge Protector 2100J: known problems
4 sourced reports, with what to check before you buy. Each one links to the page it was reported on.
1 of these reports describe a fire, explosion or shock risk.
Worth checking
Anker officially states power strip overheating is abnormal and may indicate a problem
Anker's official support documentation acknowledges that power strips can get hot and that excessive heat is abnormal. Anker instructs users to verify loads don't exceed maximum output and to contact support if overheating persists. This is the manufacturer's own admission that overheating is a recognized failure mode requiring attention, though it does not document specific incidents on the 2100J model.
What to check. If the strip runs hot to the touch under normal loads, unplug it and contact Anker. Do not ignore excessive heat, as the manufacturer itself flags it as abnormal. The 8-Point Safety System claims temperature control, but the support page confirms abnormal heat is possible.
Forum expert raises concern that Anker AC power strips may lack proper UL standards listings
A forum member with apparent electrical standards expertise (posting on Linus Tech Tips in response to a CPSC advisory discussion) raises concerns that Anker AC power strip products — including the 12-outlet power strip (the 351/A9192) — may not be listed under the appropriate Underwriters Laboratory standards (UL 817 for power strips, UL 1363 for relocatable power taps) or may lack proper labeling. This is a forum opinion, not an official regulatory finding, but it questions the adequacy of the product's safety certification. The product is marketed as 'TUV listed' rather than UL listed, which is a different certification body.
What to check. Verify the specific certification markings on the unit you receive. The product is marketed as TUV listed, not UL listed. If UL listing matters to you for insurance or safety confidence, consider a UL-listed alternative from Belkin or APC. This is a forum-level concern, not an official finding, but it raises a legitimate question about certification adequacy.
Anker A9192 user manual: surge protection light off means protection is no longer functioning
The official Anker A9192 user manual states that the surge protection light turning off indicates surge protection is no longer functioning. This is the manufacturer's own acknowledgment that the MOV-based surge protection degrades and can fail, consistent with the pack's principle that MOV-based surge protectors degrade with use and can fail hot. The light is the only indicator of protection status.
What to check. Check the blue surge protection light periodically. If it is off, the surge protection has failed and the unit is functioning as a plain power strip — replace it. The manual confirms this is the intended diagnostic indicator.
Anker's recall history involves power banks with fire/explosion reports, not this power strip
Safety risk
A Hacker News thread references a CPSC recall of Anker power banks (not power strips) involving 19 reports of fires and explosions, two minor burn injuries, and over $60,700 in property damage. This establishes Anker's brand-level recall history for fire risk in power products, but the recall specifically covers power banks, not the 2100J power strip. No recall was found for the A9192 power strip itself.
What to check. The 2100J power strip has no recall on record. However, Anker's brand history includes a CPSC recall of power banks for fire/explosion risk, which is worth knowing when assessing the brand's overall safety record. This does not directly implicate the power strip.
These reports come from the pages linked under each item: owner forums, repair guides and workshops. They are not a diagnosis of any one unit, and a careful check of the one you are buying still applies.
Text from the Kriko Power strips and surge protectors catalog, version 0.1.1, under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 license.
