T he breaker box that keeps the lights on at night in millions of homes may be at risk of igniting on fire.
Schneider Electric USA is recalling 1.4 million circuit breaker boxes, used to regulate the flow of electricity, because an unsecured screw could cause the load center of the electrical panel to overheat, which poses a fire and thermal burn risk, according to the company. Outside Electricity Meter Cabinets
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"This recall involves indoor, outdoor, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Square D QO Plug-On Neutral Load Centers that were installed in homes, recreational vehicles, or commercial establishments, including restaurants, manufacturing facilities and warehouses, commercial lighting, and others," the company said in a notice posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recalled circuit breaker boxes were produced between February 2020 and January 2022. Boxes with covers that were manufactured between December 2019 and March 2022 are also part of the recall, the company said. They were typically sold in gray and are either square or rectangular. Manufacturing dates for circuit breakers can be found inside of the cover of the unit, according to the company.
As part of the recall, Schneider Electric is encouraging customers to contact the company to allow for an inspection to see whether a repair or replacement is warranted. The company says it will issue inspections for free. A list of catalog/part numbers for units affected by the recall is available in the CPSC notice.
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So far, the company has only received one report of a loose wire, but no injuries were reported.
Electro Cabinet The breaker boxes can range from $90 to $1,660 in price and have been distributed by various vendors in the United States, such as Home Depot and Lowe's. Just under 300,000 units subject to the recall were sold in Canada.