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Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp. Offers Replacement Program For 9000 GFCI Circuit BreakersWASHINGTON, DC- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp. of Malvern, Pennsylvania, is voluntarily offering free replacement of its 15 and 20 ampere type HAGF single pole ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers.These type HAGF-15 and type HAGF-20 circuit breakers were manufactured between February 22, 1988 and April 29, 1988, and most were sold nationwide to electrical product distributors during this period. Some may have been sold to consumers by retail hardware or lumber outlets. Approximately 9000 of these devices have not been located, some of which are believed to have been installed in residences. Type HAGF ground fault circuit breakers are devices, which provide protection to consumers against severe electric shock and electrocution as well as providing the normal circuit breaker functions of interrupting short circuits and electrical overloads. Although no electric shock incidents have been reported by Challenger, the firm is recalling this product because is has determined, by quality control testing, that a mechanical part may become detached and prevent the ground fault feature of the circuit breaker from functioning. (The normal circuit breaker functions are not affected by this problem.) They protect residential 15 ampere and 20 ampere circuits including receptacle outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages and outdoors as required by the National Electrical Code. The code also requires GFCI protection for receptacles in hotel and motel bathrooms. The HAGF circuit breakers, which may require replacement, are located in the electrical service panel. If the name "Challenger" is embossed on the front of the panel (on the door handle) and/or on the label on the back of the panel/door, that panel may contain circuit breakers requiring replacement. Affected circuit breakers have a yellow button and the word "test" in raised letters on one side; on the other side, the number 15 or 20 is printed on the handle in white letters between the raised words "ON" and "OFF." If the number on the handle is black or if there is a label it with white lettering next to the word "test , then the HAGF circuit breaker will not need to be replaced. Consumers should note that the HAGF circuit breakers which require replacement will only be found in dwellings which have been constructed since February 1988 or in which electrical work has been done since February 1988. Consumers who believe that they have installed HAGF circuit breakers requiring replacement should telephone Challenger toll-free at 1-800-541-8099, (or call collect at 601-948-3915 in Mississippi) for information concerning Challenger's free replacement program. (A licensed electrician is required to perform this work. Power to the panel should be shut off before inspecting and removing breakers.) The Consumer Product Safety Commission believes that GFCI's provide a significant level of electrical safety. The Commission recommends that all GFCI's (whether circuit breaker or receptacle type) be tested frequently, at least monthly, using the test button on each unit. |
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