Siemens Circuit Breaker Recall Issued Due to Fire Hazard

About 2.2 million Siemens and Murray circuit breakers have been recalled due to a defective spring clip that can cause it to arc and potentially catch fire. 

The circuit breaker recall was announced on Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after Siemens Industry Inc., the manufacturer, received a report that a spring clip in the circuit breaker had broken during installation. The defective circuit boards could be a fire hazard.

A broken spring clip can lead to a loss of force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panelboard, according to the CPSC. If the electrical connection is not constant, there could be excessive heat, arcing or thermal damage at the connection point which could damage the panelboard’s insulation, resulting fire, damage and possibly injury.

The recall affects 2.2 million Siemens and Murray 15 through 50 AMP single and double pole circuit breakers, load centers and meter combos. The load centers are circuit breakers that include an electrical panel, and the meter combos are a load center and a meter socket.

All of the recalled products are labeled “Siemens” or “Murray” and have a date code of 0610 or 0710 and the catalog number printed on a label on the side of the circuit breakers. The load centers and meter combos have date codes between June 23, 2010 and August 25, 2010 stamped on the inside of the metal box. A complete list of the catalog numbers affected is listed on the recall announcement.

The recalled circuit breakers were sold at The Home Depot, Lowes, hardware stores, building supply stores and electrical distributers nationwide between June 2010 and August 2010 for between $2.50 and $235.

The CPSC recommends that any consumers who possess or have installed the recalled circuit breakers contact Siemens for a free inspection and a free replacement product. The firm’s website is www.usa.siemens.com.