The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·08151·Announced 2007-12-27

North American Breaker Recalls Counterfeit Square D Circuit Breakers

North American Breaker Co. is recalling about 50,000 counterfeit circuit breakers labeled as Square D because they may fail to trip when overloaded, posing a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard where the product can fail to trip when overloaded. According to the rubric, risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported are classified as High (Score 3).

Plain-English summary

North American Breaker Co. (NABCO) is recalling approximately 50,000 counterfeit circuit breakers that are labeled as Square D QO-series models. The recalled breakers are black and include specific model numbers such as 110, 115, 120, 130, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 250, 260, 280, 1515, 1520, 2020, 2125, 315, 340, 350, 360, and 3100. These products were distributed by NABCO, electrical distributors, and retailers nationwide from March 2003 through April 2006 for between $3 and $85. The breakers were manufactured in China.

Square D has determined that these specific breakers are counterfeit. The hazard is that the counterfeit breakers can fail to trip when they are overloaded, which poses a fire hazard to consumers. No injuries or illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. Genuine Square D circuit breakers have the amp rating written on the handle in white paint, the Square D insignia molded onto the side, and a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top visible. If a breaker labeled as Square D does not match these physical characteristics, it may be counterfeit.

Consumers should contact NABCO to determine if their breaker is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection and replacement or refund if necessary. This is not a Square D Company recall. For additional information, consumers can contact NABCO at (866) 505-5851 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, email [email protected], or visit www.nabcorecall.com.

The recalled product

Product
Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as "Square D"
Category
Consumer Product — Electrical Components
Hazard
Affected units
50,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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