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2-pole ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers

CPSC Recall #99-005 - October 6, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-005
Recall DateOctober 6, 1998
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 144,000

Where It Was Sold

The GFCI circuit breakers were sold primarily to electrical contractors and hot tub manufacturers through independent wholesale electrical distributors. A small percentage were sold to contractors and consumers through home improvement stores. They were sold nationwide from March 1996 through April 1998 for about $100.

Product

2-pole ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 144,000 2-pole ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers, typically used with hot tubs and spas to prevent shock or electrocution. These GFCI circuit breakers could overheat and lose their ability to prevent injury or death. Siemens is not aware of any injuries involving these circuit breakers. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The 2-pole GFCI circuit breakers involved in this recall carry the Siemens or Murray brand name. The face of the black plastic units have a large, white button with the word "TEST" molded into it. The circuit breaker's rating is printed in white at each end of the handle's horizontal bar. A product identification sticker is affixed to the face of each unit near the "TEST" button. The word "Siemens" or "Murray" will be found at the top of the sticker, and the phrase "2 Pole Unit" is printed on the bottom of the sticker. Only 2-pole units are being recalled. The GFCI circuit breakers were sold primarily to electrical contractors and hot tub manufacturers through independent wholesale electrical distributors. A small percentage were sold to contractors and consumers through home improvement stores. They were sold nationwide from March 1996 through April 1998 for about $100. Consumers should switch the recalled GFCI circuit breaker to the "off" position immediately to disconnect the power supply. Consumers should call Siemens at (800) 756-6996 between 7 a.m. and 12 midnight EST Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday to arrange to have qualified personnel replace the breakers at no charge to the consumer. Consumers should not attempt to remove the GFCI circuit breaker because high voltage can cause death or serious injury. Consumers should not use their hot tubs and spas until a replacement breaker has been installed.

Hazard

These GFCI circuit breakers could overheat and lose their ability to prevent injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

Siemens is not aware of any injuries involving these circuit breakers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should switch the recalled GFCI circuit breaker to the "off" position immediately to disconnect the power supply. Consumers should call Siemens at (800) 756-6996 to arrange to have qualified personnel replace the breakers at no charge to the consumer. 

What Should You Do?

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

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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 (Replace) 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.

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