FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 1998
Release # 99-005
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Company Phone Number: (800)443-2123
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: name, (301) 504-7076
Siemens Contact: Brian Balmes, (770) 326-2122
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CPSC, Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. Announce Recall of GFCI Circuit Breakers Used with Hot Tubs and Spas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Siemens Energy &
Automation Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling
about 144,000 2-pole ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
circuit breakers, typically used with hot tubs and spas to
prevent shock or electrocution. These GFCI circuit breakers
could overheat and lose their ability to prevent injury or
death.
Siemens is not aware of any injuries involving these
circuit breakers. This recall is being conducted to prevent
the possibility of injury.
The 2-pole GFCI circuit breakers involved in this
recall carry the Siemens or Murray brand name. The face of
the black plastic units have a large, white button with the
word "TEST" molded into it. The circuit breaker's rating is
printed in white at each end of the handle's horizontal bar.
A product identification sticker is affixed to the face of
each unit near the "TEST" button. The word "Siemens" or
"Murray" will be found at the top of the sticker, and the
phrase "2 Pole Unit" is printed on the bottom of the
sticker. Only 2-pole units are being recalled.
The GFCI circuit breakers were sold primarily to
electrical contractors and hot tub manufacturers through
independent wholesale electrical distributors. A small
percentage were sold to contractors and consumers through
home improvement stores. They were sold nationwide from
March 1996 through April 1998 for about $100.
Consumers should switch the recalled GFCI circuit
breaker to the "off" position immediately to disconnect the
power supply. Consumers should call Siemens at c between 7 a.m. and 12 midnight EST Monday through
Friday or between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday
to arrange to have qualified personnel replace the breakers
at no charge to the consumer. Consumers should not attempt
to remove the GFCI circuit breaker because high voltage can
cause death or serious injury. Consumers should not use
their hot tubs and spas until a replacement breaker has been
installed.
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