SAFETY NEWS & RECALL NOTICES

Electrical Safety Related News – Recall and Counterfeit Notices

May 25, 2017 – Extech Recalls Digital Clamp Meters Due to Electrocution Hazard. The meters can fail to give an accurate voltage reading, resulting in the operator falsely believing the electrical power is low or off, posing an electrocution hazard. Click the following link to read more for full details.

January 12, 2015 – Eaton issues Product Safety Bulletin for DSL, MDSL and NPL Type Limter Fuses. They may not interrupt correctly under fault load. Operation of breakers with these limiter fuses may be unreliable. Click the following link to read the full safety bulletin for DSL, MDSL and NPL type limiter fuses.

December 18, 2014 – The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that Schneider has issued a recall for notice for J Frame PowerPact Molded Case Circuit Breakers. They had issued a Sales Hold for these breakers on November 5, 2014. It is stated that the circuit breaker will not trip duing an overload condition, posing a risk of fire, burns and electrical shock. Use the following link to view the full CPSC notice regarding the recall of Schneider PowerPact J Frame Circuit Breakers.

Eaton Recalls Electrical Meter Breakers Due to Shock Hazard (Recall Alert)

This recall involves MBED 3042 series residential meter breaker. The meter breakers are service entrance equipment systems that consist of a single meter socket and load center or a meter socket and main breaker combined in one enclosure. The meter breakers have gray metallic enclosures and measure about 14 1/4 inches wide by 42 1/2 inches high by 7 inches deep.

The recalled units have catalog numbers MBED3042B200BF, MBED3042B200BF6, MBED3042B225PV or MBED3042PV200BF.

You can use the following link to view the full Recall Alert for Eaton MBED 3042 series residential meter breakers.

Schneider Electric Has Issued a Sales Hold for J Frame PowerPact Molded Case Circuit Breakers with Thermal- Magnetic Trip Unit

November 5, 2014 – Schneider Electric has identified a potential nonconformance with certain J Frame PowerPact Circuit Breakers with Thermal-Magnetic trip units manufactured from March 26th – September 26th 2014, built to the UL489 circuit breaker standard. This issue was discovered during a routine internal audit.

Use the following links to read the full Product Sales Hold notice for J Frame PowerPact circuit breakers and its attachment.

Schneider Electric Recalls Square D-Brand F and K Frame Circuit Breakers Due to Fire Hazard

March 18, 2014 – This recall involves Square D brand models FA, FH, FI and FY one-, two- and three-pole circuit breakers rated 15 to 100 amps, and model KI two- and three-pole circuit breakers rated 110 to 250 amps.

The F model breakers were manufactured May 8, 2013 through June 10, 2013 and have date codes 13193 through 13241. The K models were manufactured May 2, 2013 through June 21, 2013 and have date codes 13184 through 13255. The date codes are YYWWD format (example: 13184 = year 2013, week 18, day of the work week 4/ Thursday).

The circuit breakers have a yellow label with the words “Square D” or the Square D logo. Model information can be found on the faceplate.

Use the following link to read the full news release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the recall of the Schneider Electric circuit breakers.

Presentation made at International Association of Electrical Inspectors covers Hazards of Electricity (shock, arc flash), Shock & Arc Flash Statistics, Most Common Violations, Training, and much more.

View online or download the presentation titled Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Schneider Electric has issued a second Safety Alert for FA, FH, FI, and FY and KI circuit breakers

A second containment activity is required for Offer Safety Alert (PRB-75865/RC104) for FA, FH, FI, FY (1, 2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers, 15A to 100A) manufactured from May 8th, 2013 through June 10th, 2013 (date codes 13193 – 13241 inclusive) and KI (2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers, 110 – 250A) manufactured from May 2, 2013 through June 21, 2013 (date codes 13184 – 13255 inclusive).

Prior containment at Schneider Electric was not effective and a second escape of affected product did occur. As a result, products shipped from Schneider Electric between the dates of August 23, 2013 through November 13, 2013 may have included these impacted products within the date code range of the first containment.

The affected circuit breakers may have a nonconforming latch in the mechanism. If the latch is nonconforming, there is a risk that the circuit breaker will not trip on an overload condition. This will result in the potential for property damage and personal injury. Schneider Electric is committed to offer the highest level of reliability in our products; therefore the decision was made to replace these products. Corrective actions have been put in place and production has resumed. Inventory is available in our Distribution Centers.

Schneider Electric Services will be contacting customers to notify them of the affected circuit breakers and provide instructions for replacement.

For more information, contact Schneider Electric Services at 1-800-634-8730.

Eaton Corporation has issued a Product Safety Bulletin:

DSL, MDSL and NPL Type Limiter Fuses May Not Interrupt Correctly Under Fault Load

Eaton Corporation has issued a Product Safety Bulletin for DSL, MDSL and/or NPL Type limiter fuses or assembled DSL Breakers with this component installed. Operation of breakers with these Limiter Fuses may be unreliable.

Use the following link to read the complete safety bulletin:

Eaton Product Safety Bulletin for DSL, MDSL and NPL Type Limiter Fuses.

Schneider Electric has issued a Safety Alert for FA, FH, FI, FY and KI circuit breakers

Schneider Electric has identified a potential non-conformance with FA, FH, FI, FY (1, 2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers, 15A to 100A) manufactured from May 8, 2013 through June 10, 2013 (date codes are 13193 – 13241 inclusive) and KI (2 and 3 Pole Circuit Breakers, 110 – 250A) manufactured from May 2, 2013 through June 21, 2013 (date codes are 13184 – 13255 inclusive) built to the UL489 circuit breaker standard.

Use the following link to read the full safety notice.

Schneider Electric has issued a Product Safety Notice to all purchasers/users of MasterPact NW Circuit Breakers (800 to 6300Amp)

June 20, 2012 – Schneider Electric has identified a potential nonconformance with the bus mounting hardware used with Masterpact NW Circuit Breakers (800 to 6300Amp) assembled in North America. This also applies to equipment utilizing these circuit breakers such as PZ-4, QED-6, QED-2, QEDS, and Model 6 MCC.

Use the following links to read the full safety notice and FAQ:

GE Industrial Systems has identified a potential defective component condition in MicroVersaTrip trip units used with Low Voltage Circuit Breakers.

February 2002 (this safety alert is being reprinted as a reminder to remain alert to this potential problem) – These trip units must be tested immediately per the attached procedure. Click this link to read the full Product Safety Alert on MicroVersaTrip trip units from General Electric Industrial Systems. The following link is to the field test procedure for MicroVersaTrip trip units.

Eaton manufactured IEC molded case circuit breakers relabeled and repackaged as NEMA/UL/CSA circuit breakers for sale in the U.S.

March 29, 2010 – Eaton has identified a significant number of Eaton manufactured IEC molded case circuit breakers relabeled and repackaged as NEMA/UL/CSA circuit breakers for sale in the U.S. The suspect molded case circuit breakers are being offered for sale by resellers outside of Eaton authorized distribution as well as eBay.

Click this link to read or download the full notification from Tom Grace, Manager, Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection, Eaton Corporation about relabeled and repackaged IEC molded case circuit breakers.

Square D Product Quality Notice – Masterpact NT & NW circuit breakers

August 21, 2009 – Reliability Upgrade for Electrically Operated Masterpact NT & NW circuit breakers with Micrologic X.0A/P/H trip units Advanced Protection (AP) Trip System Manufactured Prior to February 8, 2008. Use this link for additional details regarding the reliability upgrade for Masterpact NT & NW circuit breakers.

Siemens Type GMI Circuit Breakers and Electrically-Operated Ground Test Devices with type VS-15050 Vacuum Interrupter may have a safety hazard.

August 20, 2009 – Siemens Energy, Inc issued a product safety notice advising that they recently discovered an issue with GMI circuit breakers and type GMI-GTD electrically-operated ground & test devices rated up to 15kV and equipped with vacuum interrupter type VS-1050 shipped after March 2005. Use this link to read the full Product Safety Advisory on the Siemens Type GMI circuit breakers with VS-15050 vacuum interrupter.

Siemens circuit breakers, motor circuit interrupters, and molded case switches may have a defective handle shield

Siemens Energy & Automation issued a product advisory safety notice for several product types including JXD-2, JD6-A, JXD6-A, HJXD6-A, HHJXD6, CJD6-A, JXD6-A ETI, etc. Use this link to read the full Product Safety Notice regarding the Siemens circuit breakers with a defective handle shield.

Eaton VCP-W Circuit Breaker Type 150 VCP-W 500 – 1200A May Have Nonconforming Vacuum Interrupters.

February 11, 2009. Eaton Corporation published an “Important Product Safety Bulleting – Replacement Action Required” for the Eaton VCP-W Circuit Breaker Type 150 VCP-W 500 – 1200A. Eaton stated that “Reliabilty data indicates an unfavorable trend related to the loss of vacuum on our medium voltage circuit breakers using Vacuum Interrupter (VI) Type WL-35338A.” Use this link to read the full Safety Bulletin relative to the Eaton VCP-W Circuit Breaker.

Which General Electric Breakers Are Counterfeit/How To Identify Them

April 2008. In its Consumer and Industrial News Brief, General Electric highlighted its custom anti-counterfeit US breaker training (English and Spanish), saying “This report provides a summary of how to identify a genuine GE circuit breaker and distinguish it, for purposes of further counterfeit evaluation, from a counterfeit circuit breaker. For example, one key distinguishing feature of a genuine GE residential circuit breaker is laser etching of the GE logo and rating on the front surface of the breakers.”

Click this link to read the full General Electric News Brief about how to identify counterfeit GE circuit breakers.

Potential Issue with Square D Masterpact NW draw-out UL and ANSI Circuit Breakers

February 18, 2008. In two letters to it’s Masterpack NW customers, Schneider Electric advised “We have recently become aware of a potential issue with the connection between the clusters and the stabs on some draw-out type Masterpact NW breakers. This issue impacts only the draw-out version of the ANSI and UL listed Masterpact breakers. Fixed mounted Masterpact NW breakers, IEC Masterpact NW and draw-out versions of Masterpact NT breakers are not impacted.”

Read online or download the full letters in pdf format by clicking here:

letter-1: potential issue with the connection between the clusters and the stabs on some draw-out type Masterpact NW breakers.

letter-2: also about the Masterpact NW draw-out circuit breakers.

PRESS RELEASE (September 21, 2007) – Counterfeit Electrical Products

Recent attention concerning counterfeit electrical products from China and other countries was the subject of a Professional Electrical Apparatus Reconditioning League (PEARL) Special Meeting held in Dallas, Texas.

Click this link to view or download the full press release regarding the counterfeit electrical products from China.

Square D Company Settles With Specialty Lamp International to Prevent Sale of Counterfeit Products

18 Jan 2007 – Square D Company recently announced that it has reached a settlement with Specialty Lamp International, Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Florida, and that Specialty Lamp and its officers are permanently enjoined from importing, selling, or distributing Square D products.

Click this link to read the full news release on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association web site about Square D reaching a settlement with Specialty Lamp International.