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Consumer product recall

Schneider Electric IT Corporation recalls APC SurgeArrest Surge Protectors

Starting date:
October 31, 2013
Posting date:
October 31, 2013
Type of communication:
Consumer Product Recall
Subcategory:
Tools and Electrical Products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Fire Hazard
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-36531

Affected products

APC SurgeArrest surge protectors

Product 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.

Surge protectors affected by this recall:
7 Series model numbers 8 Series model numbers
NET7 NET8
NET7T NET8N
NET7T-C PER8T
PER7 PER8TR
PER7C PER8TR-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

 

Hazard identified

The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard.

Schneider Electric IT Corp. has received a total of 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire.  There are 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors. Out of these numbers, in Canada there have been 8 claims of property damage and no reports of injuries.

Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the use of these surge protectors.

Number sold

Approximately 860,000 units of the recalled surge protectors were sold in Canada through electrical distributors and IT and office supply stores.

Time period sold

The recalled products have a date code January 1993 to December 2002 (see list of codes above).

Place of origin

Manufactured in China and the Philippines.

Companies

Manufacturer
American Power Conversion (APC), now known as Schneider Electric IT Corp.
West Kingston
Rhode Island
UNITED STATES

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What you should do

Consumers should stop using the recalled surge protectors immediately, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector.

For more information or to submit a claim, consumers may contact Schneider Electric IT Corp., 24 hours a day, seven days a week at firm's website, or toll-free at 1-888-437-4007 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada.

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.