Square D recalls safety switches due to potential hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

  Name of Product: General Duty Safety Switches
  Units: About 27,600
  Manufacturer: Square D Company of Palatine, Ill.

Hazard: The safety switch can continue to supply electricity even after being placed in the "OFF" position. This poses the risk of an electric shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes General Duty 30 and 60 ampere, 240 volt, 1 phase and 3 phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are typically used to control the flow of electricity to outdoor motorized units that are hardwired to a household or business' electrical system such as outdoor air conditioning and heating (HVAC) equipment. The switches contain "ON" and "OFF" positions. The "OFF" position is designed to cut the flow of electricity to an outdoor motorized unit to protect the person who is servicing the unit. The recalled switches have the following date codes and catalog number printed on bottom of the wiring label inside the front cover or on bottom of the package label.

                  Date Codes            Catalog Numbers

                                            D211NRB
                                            D211NRBBP
                 06371 through              D211NRBCP
                    06446                   D221NRB
                                            D221NRBCP
                                            D321NRB
                                            D321NRBCP
                                            DU221RB
                                            DU222RB
                                            DU321RB
                                            DU322RB

Sold at: Electrical distributors and retailers from September 2006 through November 2006 for between $120 and $300.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should return the uninstalled safety switches to the retailer or distributor where purchased for a free replacement unit. Installed safety switches will be replaced free of charge by contacting the firm.

Customer contact: Contact Square D toll-free at 877-202-9046 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.us.squared.com.

  Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 202-9046
  CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
  CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908