Mike Holt Enterprises Electrical News Source

Safety Alert - Surge Protector Linked to House Fires

Investigators in Cary, NC have determined that a house fire in December was linked to a faulty surge protector.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist reports that the December 28 fire is at least the fifth in Cary to be connected to a specific kind of surge protector which is often installed with heating and air conditioners.

The affected surge protectors are identified as Type 2 surge protectors and are labeled Supco Model SCM150, and Sycom Model SYC-120/240-T2. Both are manufactured by Sycom Surge, Inc.

According to Cary officials, these models are deemed potentially hazardous by UL, a global safety consulting and certification company.

Homeowners are asked to spread the word and check their surge protectors. In the most recent fire, investigators determined that a Supco surge protector on the home's A/C unit caught fire, scorching the side of the home.

If a device bearing one of the labels below is identified at the home, citizens should contact a licensed electrician or heating and A/C contractor. If you have questions or concerns, call Sycom at 800-622-9904.

More label information can be found on the town's website.
UL Warns of Potentially Hazardous Surge Protectors.

Comments
  • This is new? My company has been aware and actively replacing these units for more than two years. We have even had burned units in hand.

    Michael Wolf   January 18 2019, 12:28 am EST
  • Reply from: Bob   January 18 2019, 12:48 am EST
    Mike, who told you that an AC unit needs a surge protector of 10 amps? I never heard of such a thing in 60 years of experience working with AC units. The American built AC compressors start with LRA, always far more than 10 amps.Their is a foreign technology that can soft start compressors and I have such a unit but the manufacturer does not recommend a surge supresser.

    Reply from: Mike Holt   January 18 2019, 4:20 pm EST
    Bob, I don't understand your comment about 10 amperes? Where is that text?


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