WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, General Electric Company, Warwick, Rhode Island,
is recalling an estimated 45,000 GE and RCA brand Electronic
Protection Center surge suppressors, sold nationally by a variety of
retailers from October, 19S6 to December 4, 1987. Four GE surge
suppressor models, EPC-6S, EPC6NS, EPC-4NS, and EPC-CPU and two RCA
surge suppressors, models SK416 and SKF416, are being recalled.
Some of these surge suppressor- c are defective and may present a
severe electric shock hazard. A defective product's metal housing
and the metal housing of any 3-wire appliance connected to it could
be electrified. Although neither shock incidents nor injuries have
been reported, four defective units have been returned to GE after
their internal circuit breakers reportedly tripped in separate
incidents.
The product, which sells for about $4O-$60, resembles a power
strip with four or six electrical outlets in a light gray colored
metal housing. Each unit has an on/off switch, a power indicator
light, a resettable circuit breaker, and a 6-foot power cord. The
label on top of each unit includes (1) the GE or RCA brand and logo,
(2) the words "Electronic Protection Center Surge Suppressor",
"Electronic Protection Center Surge and Noise Suppressor", or
"Computer Protector" and (3) one of the above-listed model numbers.
The product was designed for use with personal computers, stereos,
TVs and VCRs.
Owners who have a surge suppressor subject to this recall should
disconnect the product from the wall outlet, without touching the
metal housing, and mail it to:
General Electric Company
Attn: EPC Recall
PO Box 8203
Beaverton, OR 97076
A new product will be returned to the consumer along with
reimbursement of the postage cost. For additional information,
consumers may call the GE Answer Center toll free at 800-626-2000.
To report an unsafe consumer product or to receive safety
information, consumers may call the CPSC toll free hotline number at
800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is
800-638-8270.