Fire Hazard Prompts Siemens and Murray Circuit Breaker Recall

A massive recall of about 2.2 million <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">Siemens and Murray Circuit Breakers, Load Centers, and Meter Combos has been implemented due to fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using recalled products immediately, unless otherwise instructed, and notes that it’s illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

The recalled Siemens and Murray Circuit Breakers, Load Centers, and Meter Combos, which were manufactured in Mexico, were imported by Siemens Industry Inc., of Alpharetta, Georgia.

The recalled circuit breakers have a spring clip that can break during normal use, leading to a loss of force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panelboard. This can lead to excessive temperature, arcing or thermal damage at the connection point, and damage to the panelboard’s electrical insulation and can result in a fire, property damage, or personal injury. To date, Siemens has received one report of a circuit breaker spring clip that broke during installation. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Siemens and Murray 15 through 50 AMP single and double pole circuit breakers, load centers (circuit breakers that come with an electrical panel), and meter combos (contain a load center and a meter socket). “Siemens” or “Murray,” date codes 0610 or 0710 and the catalog number are printed on a label on the side of the circuit breakers. Date codes of between June 2010 through August 2010 are stamped on the inside of the metal box of the load centers and meter combos. The catalog number for the load centers and meter combos is printed on a label inside the metal box door and on the packaging.

Following is a breakdown of products, date codes, and catalog numbers:

Circuit Breakers
• Date Codes: 0610 and 0710
• Catalog Numbers: Q115, Q120, Q130, Q215, Q230, Q250, MP115, MP115U, MP120, MP130, MP215, MP230, MP230U, and MP250

Load Centers
• Date Codes: Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010
• Product Numbers: G2020B1100CP, G3030B1100CP, G4040B1200CUSGP, LC4040B1200P, G3040B1200CP, G3040L1200CP, G4040B1200CP, G3030B1150CP, W3040B1200CP, G1624L1125CP, and W4040B1200CP

Meter Combo
• Date Codes: Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010
• Product Number: JA2040B1200SP

The recalled Siemens and Murray Circuit Breakers, Load Centers, and Meter Combos were sold at The Home Depot, Lowes, other hardware and building supply stores, and numerous electrical distributors nationwide from June 2010 through August 2010 for between $2.50 to $235.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately contact Siemens for a free inspection by an electrician and a free replacement product. Siemens can be reached toll-free at (800) 756-6996 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday or at the firm’s website at www.usa.siemens.com