On October 3, 2013, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall (Recall Number: 14-001) of the Schneider Electric APC Surge Protectors due to potential fire hazards where the surge protectors can overheat, smoke and or melt. The CPSC recommends the replacement of the affected surge protectors. According to the CPSC, consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector. The CPSC website specifically addressing the surge protectors is http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Schneider-Electric-Recalls-APC-Surge-Protectors/.
According to CPSC, there are approximately 15 million units involved in this recall. This recall involves the APC 7 and 8 series Surge Arrest 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.
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
The manufacturer, American Power Conversion (APC), now known as Schneider Electric IT Corp., of West Kingston, R.I., has received 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire, including $916,000 in fire damage to a home and $750,000 in fire damage to a medical facility. There are 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to a product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please let them know about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov. IF you have additional questions concerning the recall, please call the CPSC Consumer Information Hotline on 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
