Schneider Electric IT Corp. has issued a recall of over 15 million surge protectors after it was learned that the devices were capable of starting fires when they would become overheated, according to Reuters.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that there were at least 700 reports of the APC-brand surge protectors overheating and melting. Fifty-five instances of the device catching fire and causing property damage were also reported by the agency. One home incurred $916,000 of damage and a medical facility received $750,000 in fire damage from the devices, according to the Associated Press.
The devices have also caused 13 reported injuries from burns received from touching overheating devices and from smoke inhalation after fires were caused by the faulty surge protectors, according to the CPSC statement.
Schneider Electric IT Corp., based out of West Kingston, R.I., is recalling all of the APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors that were sold in the United States prior to 2003, according to a statement from the CPSC.
The following 7 Series model numbers are subject to the recall: NET7, NET7T, NET7T-C, PER7, PER7C, PER7T, PER7T-CO, PER7T-U, PER7TX137, PRF7, PRF7T, PRO7, PRO7C, PRO7T, PRO7TX183.
The following 8 Series model numbers are subject to the recall: NET8, NET8N, PER8T, PER8TR, PER8TR-CN, PER8TVR, PER8XTV, PRF8T2, PRF8TT, PRO8, PRO8T2, PRO8T2C, PRO8T2MP12, PRO8T2MP12B, PRO8TV.
The surge protectors were sold in the United States from January 1993 until December 2002 at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA and other similar stores.
Owners of one of the recalled model should stop using the device and unplug it from the wall as soon as possible. Consumers can then contact Schneider in order to receive a free replacement.
Schneider Electric IT Corp. can be reached at the following toll-free number between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET: (888) 437-4007.
