-
No image available
Recall Details
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| October 19, 1978 | |
| Release # 78-086 | |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 19) -- Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N.Y., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced it is voluntarily recalling two models of room air conditioners produced between 1962 and 1964.
The company said engineering tests on several of the 14 to 16-year-old units had revealed the deterioration of a terminal board insulator which could cause an electrical short that might ignite adjacent combustible material.
Three fires last May involving these unit models in an apartment complex in Anaheim, Calif., were reported by the company to CPSC. There were no reported injuries related to those fires.
The product involved is a 6,000 BTU air conditioner sold under the Carrier "Weathermaker" brand name and identified by the mode1 number 51GA0661 or 51GB0661. The model number will be found on a metallic plate behind the unit's decorative front grille, which can be snapped out easily.
The units generally would be used to cool a single small room, such as a bedroom, and, in most instances, would be installed in a window. The units are about 16 1/2 inches high, 22 inches wide, 11 1/4 inches deep and weigh 100 pounds. They were sold throughout the continental U.S. during the years 1962-65 at a retail price of $185 to $210.
Carrier said the company had produced a total of 21,591 such units, that they are now well beyond their normally expected product life, and that age, moisture and heat contributed to the deterioration of the electrical terminal board. The company estimates that as many as 2,782 units or as few as 628, might still be in service.
Consumers having units as identified for the recall are urged to disconnect the air conditioner from the electrical outlet and to cease using it immediately. They should telephone their nearest Carrier room air conditioning dealer, as listed in the Yellow Pages Directory. Units will be repaired at no cost to the consumers.
Consumers who require additional information should write to Carrier Air Conditioning, Carrier Parkway, Syracuse, N.Y. 13221 or phone the company's Consumer Relations Department at 315/432-7651.
To verify brand names and model numbers, consumers may contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
Related Recalls
The DigiAir module compressor can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.
A faulty drain motor in the air conditioners can ignite the plastic enclosure of the unit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers and risk of serious injury or death.
The outdoor fan motors can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards.
The pull-out disconnects may not disable power to the air handler, posing an electrical shock hazard to individuals servicing the units.
The power cord plug can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
LG Electronics Recalls Portable Air Conditioners Due to Fire Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
