Electrocution Risk Leads to Schneider Electric Circuit Breaker Recall

More than 60,000 circuit breakers have been recalled after the manufacturer learned they may not trip during a power overload condition, posing a potential risk for electrical shock and a fire hazard. 

The Schneider Electric 2 and 3 pole circuit breaker recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 18, due to certain models with thermal-magnetic trip units failing to cut the power off in the event of a power overload. To date, no injuries or property damage has been reported.

The recall includes PowerPact J-frame molded case circuit breakers with thermal-magnetic trip units marketed under the brand name “Schneider Electric” or “Square D”. The breakers are made of black plastic and have a three-position breaker handle indicating whether the breaker is off, on or tripped. The breakers were manufactured in either two or three pole configurations with lug-in/lug-out or plug-in style connectors and are rated for 150 to 250 amps.

Customers may be able to identify if their units are included in the recall by located the brand names “Schneider Electric” or “Square D” on a yellow sticker located above the breaker handle. Recalled breakers will have a catalog number beginning with “NJ” for Schneider Electric models and catalog numbers beginning with “J” for Square D models. The catalog numbers can be found on the side of the breaker or on a label to the left of the breaker handle.

The recalled circuit breakers were manufactured in the USA and Mexico under Schneider Electric USA Inc., of Columbia, Missouri, and Tlaxcala, Mexico with date codes 14131 through 14395. The units were sold at authorized Schneider Electric distributors , original equipment manufacturers , and in factory assembled panel boards from March 24, 2014 through September 26, 2014 for between $2,900 and $11,200.

The CPSC recommends that customers with recalled breakers stop using them immediately and contact Schneider Electric at 800-634-8730 for either a free replacement circuit breaker and a credit of up to $300 per address to cover labor costs for installation or a handle update kit and credit of up to $150 per address to cover labor costs for installation. Customers may also visit the manufacturer online at www.schneider-electric.com and navigate to the Customer Notifications tab for more information.