Philips Metal Halide Lamp Recall Due to Fire, Laceration Risk

Federal safety officials have announced a recall impacting more than 250,000 Philips light bulbs, following at least a dozen reports of the lamps shattering after overheating, resulting in at least one fire. 

The Philips Halide Lamps recall was posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on March 1, as a result of problems that may cause the bulbs to overheat and shatter, potentially sending sharp pieces of glass falling from the ceiling mounted lamps.

To date, at least one incident of a fire resulting from the shattering lamps has been reported, and the defective metal halide light bulbs also pose a risk of lacerations and injuries for consumers.

The lamps are designed as energy efficient replacements for traditional 400W quartz metal halide lamps installed in magnetic ballasts. These types of ballasts are typically used in industrial, retail and commercial applications where they are hung high in the ceilings.

The recall is an expansion of an earlier recall announced by the CPSC on May 24, which included roughly 87,000 Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps with model CDM330. The recall expansion now adds an estimated 256,000 lamps, bringing the total number of products recalled to 343,000.

The metal halide lamps are being recalled due to the potential for the outer bulbs to shatter from overheating, which may pose a laceration, burn and fire hazard to consumers. In the event the bulbs shatter, hot pieces of glass could fall from the ceiling-mounted lamps onto individuals below.

The recall includes Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps labeled with model number CDM330. The lamps were sold in both clear and coated versions and have an etching located on the base of the lamp or glass bulb with the date code, the name brand “Phillips” and wattage amount listed. For a full list of the recalled lamps with date codes please visit the recall notice linked above.

The recalled bulbs were manufactured in the United States under Philips Lighting North America Corporation of Somerset, New Jersey. They were sold at Electrical supply distributors, including Grainger, Rexel and Voss from May 2011 through August 2014 for about $40.

Customers are being asked to stop using the recalled lamps immediately and to call Philips at 866-253-5503 or email them at ceramicmh@philips.com for information on how to receive a free replacement. Customers with additional concerns may also visit the manufacturer online at www.philips.com and navigate to the “Recalls” link for more information.