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Safety Hazard - Square D Safety Switch Recall - Potential Shock or Electrocution!

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Square D Brand General Duty Safety Switch can potentially remain energized when the handle is in the "OFF" position!

Schneider Electric has recalled the Square D safety switch due to electrical shock hazard because the power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position.

Name of Product: Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R Safety Switches
Remedy: Replace
Recall date: April 17, 2018
Description: This recall involves Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are a dark gray metal box with a black handle on the side that can be moved to an ON or OFF position. The OFF position is designed to shut off the flow of electricity. The switches may be used in or around commercial buildings, outbuildings, apartments and homes. They measure about 10 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches. Brand name Square D, the ampere of the safety switch and the 120/240-volt or 240-volt marking is printed on a label on the front of the safety switch. The recalled switches were manufactured between January 1, 2014 through January 18, 2018 and have date codes 1401 through 1803. The date codes are in the YYWW format (example: 1401 = year 2014, week 1). The date code of the product can only be found on the inside of the cover and is not accessible if the product is installed and in-service.

Impacted Catalog Numbers:

DU222RB DU322RBUP D221NRBUP DU221RBUP
DU222RBUP D211NRB D321NRB CD321NRB
DU321RB D211NRBCP D321NRBCP DU321RBCP
DU321RBUP D221NRB D321NRBUP DU322RBCP
DU322RB D221NRBCP DU221RB  

Click here for a PDF - Exhibit C - Inspection Procedures, Schneider Electric

Additional Information: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall

Comments
  • And this is one more reason why i receive your newsletters, no matter how much it fills my inbox👍.

    Max R.  April 30 2018, 7:18 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Anyone who has had a half century of experience in the electrical trade has seen this happen many times on differentn disconnects. It most often happens with 3 phase disconnects and may fail to 3, 2 or one phase. If you open most disconnects you will not see arc arrestors. This means that the disconnect is not designed to be opened under full load. If it is, arcing will cause one or more blades to be damaged in a way that it is essentially welded closed. The arc is an electrical conductor, a good one. and will short out 2 or more phases.

    Bob  April 19 2018, 7:54 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment
  • Reply from: Max R.   April 30 2018, 7:20 am EDT
    Good comment for us who didn't see the tail end of the last century, just the head of the new one.
    Reply to Max R.


  • Just mistafied . a general duty?

    mark wilkinson  April 19 2018, 3:43 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • I have installed a handful of these over the last few years Is sq. D covering the cost of the new disconnect based on Exchange for example?

    Vince  April 19 2018, 1:23 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • As a home inspector, this is very important. Are we talking about the main panel??

    Dave  April 18 2018, 11:30 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment
  • Reply from: Mike Holt   April 22 2018, 3:25 am EDT
    Please read the document again, it indicates the Ampere size.
    Reply to Mike Holt



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