The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·08286·Announced 2008-05-27

Counterfeit Square D Circuit Breakers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Specialty Lamp International is recalling counterfeit Square D circuit breakers that may fail to trip during overloads, posing a fire risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 risk-of-harm product (fire hazard) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Specialty Lamp International is recalling approximately 371,000 counterfeit circuit breakers labeled as Square D QO-series and QOB-series models. The breakers were distributed nationwide through electrical product distributors from May 2005 through June 2006 for prices between $3 and $23. The products were manufactured in China.

Square D has determined that these specific breakers are counterfeit and can fail to trip when overloaded, which poses a fire hazard to consumers. No injuries have been reported in connection with this recall. Consumers can identify genuine Square D breakers by checking for white paint on the amperage numbers, the Square D insignia molded onto the side, and a yellow chromate mounting clip with the top half visible.

Consumers should contact Specialty Lamp International to determine if their breaker is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection, replacement, or refund. This is not a recall by the Square D Company.

The recalled product

Product
Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as "Square D"
Category
Consumer Product — Electrical Components
Hazard
Affected units
371,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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