Note: This is a non-8052 topic.

The DC power cables of laptops that come from the mains adapter have a cylindrical piece of moulded plastic very close to the point where they het plugged into the laptop. Similiarly my telephone cable that came with the laptop also has this near the laptop end. I have also seen this on the signal cable for regular monitors.

Can someone say what does this contain ? I am sure it has some kind of surge-suppression or spike busting inductors ?

Why I am asking is,

A. Just curious to know .
B. Currently my laptop power cable is cracking near this element and I am planning to by pass it!! Would I ( or my laptop) come to any grief doing this ?

Thanks

Raghu