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Fire / OverheatingNovember 3, 2004CPSC #05035

CPSC, Schneider Electric North American Division Announce Recall of AFCIs

Product
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)
Units affected
700,000
Remedy
replacement

What was recalled

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.

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.

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.

Made in

Mexico

Where it was sold

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

Photos

Recalled QOAFI CIRCUIT BREAKERRecalled HOM CIRCUIT BREAKER
View official CPSC recall

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