Hi, I've just purchased a 12V 0.5A regulated plugpack, Altronics M9449. Several cm from the device along the outlet cable is a cylindrical plastic lump, about 25mm long and 18mm dia. It appears to have ventilation apertures. Any ideas what it might be, and is there a reason why it would be interposed in the lead rather than incorporated in the main body? I guess one would be that they found that they needed to add something after they'd locked the packaging design in.
If you're thinking of this plugpack and it's going to be regularly moved around, then you might want to reconsider, the output cable is fairly thin and the weight and bulk of the 'thing' is great enough that it could contribute to early cable failure right up against the casing.