Specialty Lamp Recalls Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Product: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as “Square D.”

Units: About 371,000.

Distributor: Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The counterfeit circuit breakers are black and are labeled as Square D QO-series models 115, 120, 130, 215, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 and 2020 and Square D QOB-series models 115, 120, 130, 220, 230, 250, 260 and 1515. Actual Square D circuit breakers have (a) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker (authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint on the amperage numbers); (b) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and; (c) a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.

Sold by: Electrical product distributors nationwide from May 2005 through June 2006 for between $3 and $23.

Manufactured in: China or Unknown.

Remedy: Consumers should contact Specialty to determine if the breaker they have is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection and replacement or refund if necessary.

Consumer Contact: Specialty. This is not a Square D Company recall.

Source: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.