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CPSC, Schneider Electric North American Division Announce Recall of AFCIs

U.S. CPSCFireNov 3, 2004
Recalled QOAFI CIRCUIT BREAKER
Recalled QOAFI CIRCUIT BREAKER
Recalled HOM CIRCUIT BREAKER
Recalled HOM CIRCUIT BREAKER

Photos from the official notice: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · image rights

Hazard

An AFCI is an electrical circuit protection device (circuit breaker) that detects electrical arcs from cracked, broken or damaged electrical insulation and shuts off power to the circuit before the arcing leads to a fire. An electronic component failure inside the AFCIs can cause the devices to not detect an electrical arc. Although the AFCIs will function as regular circuit breakers, they may not detect an arc fault, posing a safety risk to consumers.

Remedy

Installed AFCIs will be replaced free of charge through electrical contractors. Consumers can return uninstalled AFCIs to the retailers or distributor from whom the unit was purchased for a free replacement unit.

Incidents & injuries

Schneider Electric is investigating one reported fire during a new home construction that may be related to this problem. No injuries have been reported.

Product description

The recalled Square D QO® and Homeline® Arc Fault Interrupter circuit breakers are used with 15- and 20-amp branch circuits. They are required to be installed in bedroom circuits in accordance with the 2002 National Electrical Code. The recalled units were manufactured after March 1, 2004, and have a blue test button. The AFCI circuit breakers have one of the following date codes - CN, DN, EN, FN, GN, HN, or JN - stamped in red on the breaker label located just above the wiring terminal. The recalled units also have one of the following catalog numbers printed on a label on the front of the breaker: QO115AFI, QO115AFIC, QO120AFI, QO120AFIC, QOB115AFI, QOB120AFI, HOM115AFI, HOM115AFIC, HOM120AFI, HOM120AFIC, QO115VHAFI, QO120VHAFI, QOB115VHAFI, or QOB120VHAFI.

Sold on

Electrical distributors and retailers sold the AFCIs between March 2004 and September 2004 for between $30 and $130.

Contact the company

Consumers should call the Customer Care Center Number “888 SQUARED” or 888-778-2733 to return the product for replacement or refund. Consumers can also call 1-800-634-8730 and ask for the Product Services Support Manager.

What should I do?

Stop using the product and follow the remedy below. Contact the company for a refund, repair or replacement — recall remedies are free.

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