Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., Alpharetta, Ga., has recalled 2.2 million circuit breakers, load centers and meter combos manufactured under the Siemens and Murray brands between June 2010 and August 2010, according to a Sept. 23 release by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC release says, “The recalled circuit breakers have a spring clip that can break during normal use, leading to a loss of force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panelboard. This can lead to excessive temperature, arcing or thermal damage at the connection point, and damage to the panelboard's electrical insulation and can result in a fire, property damage, or personal injury.”
Siemens has received one report of a circuit breaker spring clip that broke during installation. No injuries have been reported. According to the CPSC, the products were sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, hardware and building supply stores and numerous electrical distributors nationwide from June 2010 through August 2010 for between $2.50 to $235. The products were manufactured in Mexico.
Detailed instructions on identifying the faulty products are available at www.sea.siemens.com (type “recall” into the search engine). According to information on the Siemens website, the recall involves Siemens and Murray 15A through 50A single- and double-pole circuit breakers, load centers and meter combos. “Siemens” or “Murray,” date codes “0610” or “0710” and the catalog number are printed on a label on the side of the circuit breakers.
Date codes between June 2010 through August 2010 are stamped on the inside of the metal box of the load centers and meter combos. The catalog number for the load centers and meter combos is printed on a label inside the metal box door and on the packaging.