Recall: Schneider Electric Recalls APC Surge Protectors Due to Fire Hazard

Description: This recall involves APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003. The model and serial numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the surge protector. The two numbers that follow the first letter or letters in the serial number sequence indicate the year of manufacture. The unit is included in the recall if the numbers are 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 or 02. APC and the words Personal, Professional, Performance or Network are printed on the surge protectors. The following model numbers are included in this recall. 7 Series model numbers 8 Series model numbers NET7 NET8 NET7T NET8N NET7T-C PER8T PER7 PER8TR PER7C PER8TR-CN PER7T PER8TVR PER7T-CO PER8XTV PER7T-U PRF8T2 PER7TX137 PRF8TT PER7-U PRO8 PER7X148 PRO8T2 PRF7 PRO8T2C PRF7T PRO8T2MP12 PRO7 PRO8T2MP12B PRO7C PRO8TV PRO7T PRO7TX183

Name of product: APC SurgeArrest surge protectors

Units: About 15 million

Manufacturer: American Power Conversion (APC), now known as Schneider Electric IT Corp., of West Kingston, R.I.

Hazard: The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector.

Recall date: October 03, 2013

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire, including $916,000 in fire damage to a home and $750,000 in fire damage to a medical facility. There are 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors.

Sold At: Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and $50.

Manufactured in: China, Philippines

Consumer contact: Schneider Electric IT Corp., toll-free at (888) 437-4007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at http://recall.apc.com, or www.apc.com and click on the Recall link to submit a claim and obtain more information.

Recall number: 14-001