WARNING - APC Surge Protector Recall

[SeaBreeze]

We've used one of these for our computer for around 10 years now, but we unplugged it and submitted a claim for a replacement. They have had 700 reports of overheating, smoking, melting, related damage, posing a fire hazard. My husband just happened to see a small article about the recall in the newspaper.

Here's the link to go to if you have an APC surge protector...http://recall.apc.com/en. They will send a replacement, but it will take months to receive it in the mail. For now we have a heavy duty power strip taking its place.

 

[Michael.]

Thanks for the warning.

I will have to check if it applies to the UK.

 

[Phantom]

No brand name on mine

ONLY MODEL NO SP811BPT2

Chucked the packing box yonks ago

 

[That Guy]

 

[SifuPhil]

We've used one of these for our computer for around 10 years now, but we unplugged it and submitted a claim for a replacement. They have had 700 reports of overheating, smoking, melting, related damage, posing a fire hazard. My husband just happened to see a small article about the recall in the newspaper.

4 out of those 5 points could also apply to me. I'll leave it up to you to decide which 4 ...

Isn't it more than slightly ironic that a safety device can end your life? It makes you wonder how these things ever got on the market in the first place, but I guess something like a surge protector is only checked out by UL, which probably has an overloaded schedule as it is. I note the recall claims that they might fail under abnormal electrical conditions - I wonder what to their mind constitutes "abnormal"? Are they going to refuse to give you a new one because you were plugged into a 15-amp socket instead of a 20-amp?

 

[SeaBreeze]

4 out of those 5 points could also apply to me. I'll leave it up to you to decide which 4 ...

I'll leave out melting. layful:

 

[Michael.]

I forgot to mention I contacted the company.

They confirmed the warning does not apply to the UK.

 

[Tom Young]

While I use surge protectors, for normal voltage spikes, it should be known that they do not protect against lightning. Last year, an outside "hit" (didn't hit the house) caused a extraordinary fluctuation that knocked out my modem, voip modem, wireless router, external hard drive and an electric clock radio... all plugged in to surge protectors. (just under my $500 insurance deductible)