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Product Recall Number: 05-035

Why was Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) recalled?

An AFCI is an electrical circuit protection device (circuit breaker) that detects electrical arcs from cracked, broken or damaged electrical insulation and shuts off power to the circuit before the arcing leads to a fire. An electronic component failure inside the AFCIs can cause the devices to not detect an electrical arc. Although the AFCIs will function as regular circuit breakers, they may not detect an arc fault, posing a safety risk to consumers. See https://web.archive.org/web/20041109021449/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/… Statement.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)
Here's product recall specific data for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI).

  • Product Recall Number: 05-035

  • Product Safety Warning Number:

  • Date: 2004-11-03

  • Product Safety Warning Date:

  • Name Of Product: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)

  • Description: The recalled Square D QO® and Homeline® Arc Fault Interrupter circuit breakers are used with 15- and 20-amp branch circuits. They are required to be installed in bedroom circuits in accordance with the 2002 National Electrical Code. The recalled units were manufactured after March 1, 2004, and have a blue test button. The AFCI circuit breakers have one of the following date codes - CN, DN, EN, FN, GN, HN, or JN - stamped in red on the breaker label located just above the wiring terminal. The recalled units also have one of the following catalog numbers printed on a label on the front of the breaker: QO115AFI, QO115AFIC, QO120AFI, QO120AFIC, QOB115AFI, QOB120AFI, HOM115AFI, HOM115AFIC, HOM120AFI, HOM120AFIC, QO115VHAFI, QO120VHAFI, QOB115VHAFI, or QOB120VHAFI.

  • Hazard Description: An AFCI is an electrical circuit protection device (circuit breaker) that detects electrical arcs from cracked, broken or damaged electrical insulation and shuts off power to the circuit before the arcing leads to a fire. An electronic component failure inside the AFCIs can cause the devices to not detect an electrical arc. Although the AFCIs will function as regular circuit breakers, they may not detect an arc fault, posing a safety risk to consumers. See https://web.archive.org/web/20041109021449/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/… Statement.

  • Consumer Action: None Listed

  • Original Product Safety Warning Announcement: None Listed

  • Remedy Type: Refund, Replace

  • Units: About 700,000

  • Incidents: Schneider Electric is investigating one reported fire during a new home construction that may be related to this problem. No injuries have been reported.

  • Remedy: Installed AFCIs will be replaced free of charge through electrical contractors. Consumers can return uninstalled AFCIs to the retailers or distributor from whom the unit was purchased for a free replacement unit.

  • Sold At: Electrical distributors and retailers sold the AFCIs between March 2004 and September 2004 for between $30 and $130.

  • Importers: None Listed

  • Manufacturers: Schneider Electric North American Division, of Palatine, Ill.

  • Distributors: None Listed

  • Manufactured In: Mexico

  • Custom Label: None Listed

  • Custom Field: None Listed

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