Schneider Electric Recalls APC Surge Protectors Due to Fire Hazard
Recall 14001 · Oct 3, 2013 · Schneider Electric
15,000,000
units affected
15,000,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 14001
- Date
- Oct 3, 2013
- Company
- Schneider Electric
- Units affected
- 15,000,000
- Product
- APC SurgeArrest surge protectors
- Product type
- Surge Suppressors or Power Strips
- Remedy
- Replacement
- Hazard
- Fire
The product
This recall involves APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003. The model and serial numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the surge protector. The two numbers that follow the first letter or letters in the serial number sequence indicate the year of manufacture. The unit is included in the recall if the numbers are 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 or 02. APC and the words Personal, Professional, Performance or Network are printed on the surge protectors. The following model numbers are included in this recall. 7 Series model numbers 8 Series model numbers NET7 NET8 NET7T NET8N NET7T-C PER8T PER7 PER8TR PER7C PER8TR-CN PER7T PER8TVR PER7T-CO PER8XTV PER7T-U PRF8T2 PER7TX137 PRF8TT PER7-U PRO8 PER7X148 PRO8T2 PRF7 PRO8T2C PRF7T PRO8T2MP12 PRO7 PRO8T2MP12B PRO7C PRO8TV PRO7T PRO7TX183
What can happen
The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard.
The fix
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- The firm has received 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire, including $916,000 in fire damage to a home and $750,000 in fire damage to a medical facility. There are 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors.
- Sold at
- Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and $50.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled apc surgearrest surge protectors?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector.
What is the hazard?
The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.