Reports on CPSC Notices Regarding Counterfeit Square-D Breakers.

The counterfeit Square-D circuit breakers, shown here, were made in China, and were sold through Scott Electric Co. The recall notice issued by Scott was reported by the US CPSC in November 2006.

Scott offers a free replacement or refund where the counterfeit breakers are found to have been installed.

US CPSC Notice Counterfeit Square-D Recall by Scott Electric

This Square-D circuit breaker, sold through Scott Electric, has been recalled by that company according to the US CPSC announcement below.

The circuit breaker is "counterfeit" and is a fire hazard.

[Click to enlarge any image]

You may need assistance from a professional home inspector or better, a qualified, licensed electrician, to identify this product in your home but the letter below offers visual clues that a homeowner can see by examining the circuit breaker in the electric panel by simply opening the hinged electric panel door provided for homeowner use.

Since there are serious hazards of electrical shock, homeowners should not attempt to disassemble their electrical panel such as by removing the cover from the panel or trying to replace the circuit breaker themselves. Use a licensed electrician for that work.

This website includes photographs of these products, identification information, some basic safety advice, and the original US CPSC announcements. The CPSC announcements and photographs are public domain. I provide links to the original announcements herein.

Scott Electric Co. Inc. Recalls Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Due To Fire Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2006
Release #07-036
Scott Electric's Recall Hotline: (877) 222-0473
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Scott Electric Co. Inc. Recalls Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Due To Fire 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.

Name of Product: Counterfeit "Square D" Circuit Breakers

Units: About 30,000
Distributor/Retailer: Scott Electric Co. Inc., of Greensburg, Pa.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled "Square D" are counterfeit and might not trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Scott Electric Co. is not aware of any incidents or injuries associated with these counterfeit circuit breakers.

Description: The counterfeit circuit breakers include Square D QO-series models 115, 120, 130, 160, 215, 230, 260, 1515, and 1520. Actual Square D circuit breakers have

• The amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker;
• On the side of the breaker, where wire terminal screw is located, the arc shoot opening should have squared corners with the bottom edge of the opening angled up;
• The mounting clip should be yellow chromate with half of the top of the clip visible; and
• The Square D insignia should be molded onto the breaker. If your Square D breaker does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.

Counterfied Square-D Circuit Breakers Were Sold through: Scott Electric Co. distributor locations throughout Pennsylvania and Texas from May 2005 through May 2006 for between $4 and $25.

Manufactured in:

China

Remedy:

Consumers should contact Scott Electric Co. to arrange for a free inspection and if necessary, replacement or refund.

Consumer Contact:

To arrange for a free inspection or for additional information, contact Scott Electric toll-free at (877) 222-0473 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log on to www.scottelectricusa.com - consumers and contractors can also obtain additional information by e-mailing Scott Electric at tdiorio@scottelectricusa.com

Original CPSC Announcement Regarding the Counterfeit Square D Circuit Breaker

Original CPSC Announcement of Scott's Counterfeit Square D Breaker

1988 - 2006 US CPSC Notice Square-D GFCI Circuit Breaker Recall

Moved to

How to Report an AFCI or other Electrical or Product Failures or Incidents to the U.S. CPSC

Dangerous Product Reports to the US CPSC: To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury,

call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270,

or visit CPSC's web site at SaferProducts.gov.

Or use this link https://www.saferproducts.gov/IncidentReporting to report an unsafe product or circuit breaker failure incident to the US CPSC

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