Schneider Electric recalls faulty APC surge protectors

THE APC 7 SERIES SurgeArrest surge protector, pictured above, is one of the items included in Schneider Electric's recall of 15 million surge protectors reported to overheat, melt and create a fire hazard. / COURTESY U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
THE APC 7 SERIES SurgeArrest surge protector, pictured above, is one of the items included in Schneider Electric's recall of 15 million surge protectors reported to overheat, melt and create a fire hazard. / COURTESY U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

WEST KINGSTON – Schneider Electric has recalled 15 million APC surge protectors due to fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported Thursday.

The West Kingston-based company is recalling APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003, after receiving 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire.

The fire damages include $916,000 in damage to a home and $750,000 in damage to a medical facility. Schneider Electric also received 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors, the commission said.

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

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For more information about the recall, visit www.cpsc.gov.

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