Earlier this week, it emerged that Microsoft was planning to announce a global recall of AC power cords sold with some of its Surface Pro tablets.

Today, the company formally announced that, "in consultation with safety regulators", it is initiating a voluntary worldwide replacement program for AC power cords sold with:

all first-generation Surface Pro tablets

all Surface Pro 2 tablets

Surface Pro 3 tablets sold in the US and Canada before March 15, 2015

Surface Pro 3 tablets sold in all other markets before July 15, 2015

Microsoft emphasizes that the recall does not apply to Surface Pro 3s sold after those dates, or to its new Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book.

The nature of the recall relates to possible damage to the power cord if it is "wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time", which presents a possible risk of overheating. The company added:

While there are no reports of serious injury, a small number of our customers have reported this issue and we are taking action to address by making free replacement cords available to all eligible customers. The safety of our customers is our top priority.

Microsoft has launched a support site at surface.com/powercord at which its customers can check if they qualify for a free replacement. It explains that "no proof of damage is required to receive a replacement AC power cord".

Source: Microsoft / Surface power cable recall site