Schneider Electric is recalling 15 million of its surge protectors because they may overheat, smoke and melt posing a fire hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received over 500 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting. There have also been more than a dozen reports of injuries.
The 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 lettor 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 surge protectors were sold at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and $50. The units were manufactured in China and the Philippines.
The following model numbers are in the recall:
| 8 Series | 7 Series |
|---|---|
| NET8 | NET7 |
| NET8N | NET7T |
| NET7T-C | PER7 |
| PER8T | PER7C |
| PER8TR | PER7T |
| PER8TR-CN | PER7T-CO |
| PER8TVR | PER7T-U |
| PER8XTV | PER7TX137 |
| PRF8T2 | PER7-U |
| PRF8TT | PER7X148 |
| PRO8 | PRF7 |
| PRO8T2 | PRF7T |
| PRO8T2C | PRO7 |
| PRO8T2MP12 | PRO7C |
| PRO8T2MP12B | PRO7T |
| PRO8TV | |
| PRO7TX183 |
For more information on the recall or to file a claim click here.