Recall: Schneider Electric Recalls Xantrex GT Series Grid Tie Solar Inverters Due to Injury Hazard


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2011
Release #11-099
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 714-7176
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Schneider Electric Recalls Xantrex GT Series Grid Tie Solar Inverters Due to Injury Hazard

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: Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverters

Units: About 25,000

Manufacturer: Xantrex Technology Inc. - a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, of Livermore, Calif.

Hazard: A component of the inverter can degrade, causing out gassing within the wiring compartment of the inverter. When arcing occurs, gasses could build and force the compartment cover to be blown off. If the cover is blown off with sufficient force it can injure the user or person, or cause damage to property in close proximity to the inverter.

Incidents/Injuries: Schneider Electric has received five reports of wiring compartment covers being blown off. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Description: The recalled inverter converts solar photovoltaic voltages into utility grid voltages; allowing the owner to feed power into the electrical grid. The recalled units were manufactured between September 2005 and August 2010. These products were sold under the Xantrex, Sunpower, and General Electric brands. The brand name is printed on the front of the unit.

Affected part numbers, printed on the top of the unit, include the following:

864-0002 864-0117 864-0128 864-0139 864-1006 864-1011 864-1019
864-0107 864-0118 864-0130 864-0140 864-1006-02 864-1012 864-1021
864-0108 864-0119 864-0131 864-1001 864-1007 864-1013 864-1022
864-0111 864-0124 864-0132 864-1001-02 864-1008 864-1014 864-1032
864-0112 864-0125 864-0133 864-1002 864-1009 864-1015 864-1032-02
864-0114 864-0126 864-0135 864-1004 864-1009-02 864-1016  
864-0116 864-0127 864-0136 864-1005 864-1010 864-1018
X-864-0002 X-864-0117 X-864-0128 X-864-0139 X-864-1007 X-864-1014 X-864-1032
X-864-0107 X-864-0118 X-864-0130 X-864-0140 X-864-1008 X-864-1015  
X-864-0108 X-864-0119 X-864-0131 X-864-1001 X-864-1009 X-864-1016
X-864-0111 X-864-0124 X-864-0132 X-864-1002 X-864-1010 X-864-1018
X-864-0112 X-864-0125 X-864-0133 X-864-1004 X-864-1011 X-864-1019
X-864-0114 X-864-0126 X-864-0135 X-864-1005 X-864-1012 X-864-1021
X-864-0116 X-864-0127 X-864-0136 X-864-1006 X-864-1013 X-864-1022

Sold through: Solar distributors and system integrators nationwide and in Canada from September 2005 through January 2011 for between about $2,500 and $4,000.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact their authorized dealer to set up an appointment to get a free repair of the inverter.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Xantrex Technology at (800) 714-7176 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.


Xantrex GT Series Inverter

Picture of recalled dehumidifier and location of brand name





Picture of label showing location of part number