[RFI] Safety Recall: 15 million APC Surge Protectors sold before 2003

[Alan NV8A]

Thanks for that information. I just submitted the information for my 
PRF8T2, manufactured 2002. It did seem a little warm. It will be 
replaced by a PRO8T2, but I may have to wait 12 weeks, and I have 
declared that I have taken the old one out of service; what am I 
supposed to do in the meantime? It was also a nuisance having to take a 
picture of the bar code label, connect my camera to the computer, save 
the file, and then attach it to the form.

73

Alan NV8A


On 11/02/13 01:31 am, donovanf at starpower.net wrote:
>
> Now this is a good reason to avoid use of MOVs in branch
> circuits! There are 700 reports of overheating and melting
> caused by Surge Protector Devices sold prior to 2003 and
> 55 property damage reports from smoke and fire.
>
> Please read below to ensure that the Surge Protection Device
> you may be using is a UL 1449 Edition 3 listed product
> and not be a part of this recall.
>
> Anyone using one of these recalled products should discontinue
> their use immediately. Read the "Incidents/Injuries" section
> below and you will have a better understanding. These
> devices were tested to the older UL 1449 Standard. This UL
> Standard has undergone several revisions since these devices
> were manufactured and marketed.
>
> You should not use any AC power surge protection device that
> is not UL 1449 Edition 3 listed. The Edition 3 is the important
> part as that ensures testing to the most recent UL Standard
> (September 2009).
>
> An MOV should never be connected directly across the AC
> power line as a sustained over voltage may cause the device
> to go into thermal runaway resulting in a fire. A thermal
> disconnect associated with the MOV is required to open the
> circuit should the MOV become warm. This disconnects the
> MOV from the circuit before it gets to the point of thermal
> runaway that may cause a fire.
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> RECALL INFORMATION
>
> Schneider Electric Recalls APC Surge Protectors Due to Fire
> Hazard
>
> WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
>
> Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise
> instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a
> recalled consumer product.
> Recall date: October 3, 2013
>
> Recall Summary
>
> Name of Product: APC SurgeArrest surge protectors
>
> Hazard: The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt,
> posing a fire hazard.
>
> Remedy: Replace
>
> Consumer Contact: Schneider Electric IT Corp., toll-free at
> (888) 437-4007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through
> Friday, or online at http://recall.apc.com, or www.apc.com
> and click on the Recall link to submit a claim and obtain
> more information.
> Photos available at
> http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Schneider-Electric-Recal
> ls-APC-Surge-Protectors/
>
> Recall Details
>
> Units: About 15 million
>
> Description: 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 PER8T R
>
> PER7C PER8T R-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
>
> Incidents/Injuries: 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.
>
> Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled
> surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric
> for a free replacement surge protector.
> Sold at: Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores
> nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for
> between $13 and $50.
>
> Manufacturer: American Power Conversion (APC), now known as
> Schneider Electric IT Corp., of West Kingston, R.I.
>
> Manufactured in: China, Philippines
> The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still
> interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are
> either directly related to this product recall or involve a
> different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about
> your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.
>
> CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
> Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions
> about a recall:
> 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
> Times: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
> Call to get product safety and other agency information and
> to report unsafe products.
>
> Media Contact
> Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
> Phone: (301) 504-7908
> Spanish: (301) 504-7800
> SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
>
> Additional information may be found at:
> http://recall.apc.com/en