CPSC, Square D Recalls Safety Switches Due to Shock or Electrocution Hazard

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Summary Statement

The safety switch can continue to supply electricity even after being placed in the “OFF” position. This poses the risk of an electric shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.
December 15, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2006
Release #07-062

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 202-9046
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: General Duty Safety Switches.

Units: About 27,600

Manufacturer: Square D Co., of Palatine, Ill.

Hazard: The safety switch can continue to supply electricity even after being placed in the “OFF” position. This poses the risk of an electric shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported..

Description: The recall includes General Duty 30 and 60 ampere, 240 volt, 1 phase and 3 phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are typically used to control the flow of electricity to outdoor motorized units that are hardwired to a household or business’ electrical system such as outdoor air conditioning and heating (HVAC) equipment. The switches contain “ON” and “OFF” positions. The “OFF” position is designed to cut the flow of electricity to an outdoor motorized unit to protect the person who is servicing the unit. The recalled switches have the following date codes and catalog number printed on bottom of the wiring label inside the front cover or on bottom of the package label.

Date Codes
Catalog Numbers
06371 through 06446 D211NRB
D211NRBBP
D211NRBCP
D221NRB
D221NRBCP
D321NRB
D321NRBCP
DU221RB
DU222RB
DU321RB
DU322RB

Sold at: Electrical distributors and retailers from September 2006 through November 2006 for between $120 and $300.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should return the uninstalled safety switches to the retailer or distributor where purchased for a free replacement unit. Installed safety switches will be replaced free of charge by contacting the firm.

Consumer Contact: Contact Square D toll-free at (877) 202-9046 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.us.squared.com

photo of safety switch

Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638- 8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/Subscribe. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.