THHN Electrical Wire

CPSC Recall #10-319 — August 17, 2010

Recall Summary

Recall Number10-319
Recall DateAugust 17, 2010
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 1,000
ManufacturerCerro Wire Inc., of Crothersville, Ind.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Home Depot & Menards stores in the following states: Colo.
Iowa
Idaho
Ill.
Ind.
Kan.
Ky.
Mich.
Minn.
Mo.
Mont.
N.D.
Neb.
Ohio
Ore.
Pa.
S.D.
Utah
Wash.
Wis.
Wyo. from December 2009 through April 2010. The 50-foot wire spools were sold for $9 and the 100-foot spools for about $16.

Product

THHN Electrical Wire

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of Product: THHN Electrical WireUnits: About 1,000Manufacturer: Cerro Wire Inc., of Crothersville, Ind.Hazard: While the actual electrical wire has "14 gauge" printed on it, the packaging incorrectly labels the electrical wire as 12 gauge. If used as a 12 gauge wire, it can overload, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: This recall involves THNN electrical wire labeled on its packaging as 12 gauge solid white 100' UPC 48243982721 and 12 gauge stranded red 50' UPC 48243229215. The actual wire has "THHN Cerro Wire 14 gauge" printed on it. The UPC number and 12 gauge is found on the plastic wrap and on a label at the bottom of the reel.Sold at: Home Depot & Menards stores in the following states: Colo., Iowa, Idaho, Ill., Ind., Kan., Ky., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., N.D., Neb., Ohio, Ore., Pa., S.D., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo. from December 2009 through April 2010. The 50-foot wire spools were sold for $9 and the 100-foot spools for about $16.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using any switches, outlets or electrical devices using this wire and contact Cerro Wire for instructions on returning the product for a refund. Any contractor or subcontractor who used this wire should inspect their work to see that their work meets local electrical wiring code.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cerro Wire toll-free at (866) 572-3776 ext. 269 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.cerrowire.com.

Hazard

While the actual electrical wire has "14 gauge" printed on it, the packaging incorrectly labels the electrical wire as 12 gauge. If used as a 12 gauge wire, it can overload, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using any switches, outlets or electrical devices using this wire and contact Cerro Wire for instructions on returning the product for a refund. Any contractor or subcontractor who used this wire should inspect their work to see that their work meets local electrical wiring code.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.