Schneider Electric IT Corp. is recalling about 15 million
APC SurgeArrest surge protectors.
The surge protectors can overheat, smoke, and melt, posing a
fire hazard, said the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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.
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.
Click here to see the model numbers included in this recall.
Manufactured in China and the Philippines, the surge
protectors were sold at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores
nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and
$50.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge
protectors, unplug them, and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement
surge protector, the company and commission advise.
For more information from Schneider Electric IT Corp., call
888-437-4007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit http://recall.apc.com or www.apc.com and click on the Recall link to
submit a claim.
