08/03/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL , USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
Miami, FL—Miami Breaker Inc. (MBI), in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), voluntarily recalled counterfeit “Square D” circuit breakers due to fire hazards associated with them. The CPSC announced the recall on Monday, August 2, 2010.
Miami Breaker issued the recall after concluding the circuit breakers were counterfeit by Square D and “could fail to trip when overloaded.”
While no injuries have been reported as of yet, the defective circuit breakers can leave consumers susceptible to burns and other fire-related injuries.
The counterfeit circuit breakers were labeled “Square D” or “SQD” and imported by General Breaks and Panels Inc., based in Miami, Florida.
According to the CPSC, “The counterfeit circuit breakers are marked as Square D in the QO series. The models are QO115 (about 7,800 units), QO120 (about 26,300 units), QO130 (about 3,200 units), QO215 (about 350 units), QO220 (about 720 units), QO230 (about 1,780 units), QO240 (about 1,130 units), QO250 (about 1,150 units) and QO260 (about 1,150 units). Genuine Square D QO breakers have the following: (1) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker, (2) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side; (3) a yellow chromate clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.”
The recalled circuit breakers were made available for purchase from electrical product distributors and wholesalers throughout the nation between March 2005 and July 2006.
Single pole breakers reportedly cost $3 to $4, while the price of double pole breakers ranged from $8 to $9.
Consumers are advised to contact Miami Breaker to verify if their circuit breaker is indeed counterfeit. If so, consumers may schedule a complimentary inspection and obtain a replacement circuit breaker.
Miami Breaker Inc. can be contacted at (800) 941-1112 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or via e-mail at [email protected].
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