43,600 Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall Monday by Miami Breaker Inc. of Miami, Fla. They were sold by electrical product distributors and wholesalers nationwide from March 2005 through July 2006.
Miami Breaker Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 43,600 circuit breakers that are labeled "Square D" or "SQD" but have been determined to be counterfeit by Square D, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which said the breakers can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Sold nationwide by electrical product distributors and wholesalers from March 2005 through July 2006, they were imported by General Breakers and Panels Inc. of Miami, but the manufacturer is unknown, CPSC said. The single pole breakers were sold for $3 to $4, while the double pole breakers were sold for $8 to $9.
The counterfeit circuit breakers are marked as Square D in the QO series. The models are QO115 (about 7,800 units), QO120 (about 26,300 units), QO130 (about 3,200 units), QO215 (about 350 units), QO220 (about 720 units), QO230 (about 1,780 units), QO240 (about 1,130 units), QO250 (about 1,150 units) and QO260 (about 1,150 units). Genuine Square D QO breakers have (1) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker, (2) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and (3) a yellow chromate clip with half of the top of the clip visible.
"If your breaker does not match this description, it could be counterfeit," noted CPSC, which added that is still wants to receive reports of any injury or incident associated with these particular counterfeit circuit breakers or a different hazard associated with them. To make such a report, visit https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.
To contact Miami Breaker Inc., call 800-941-1112 or e-mail [email protected].