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Trane Recalls Air Conditioners after Incidents of Units Smoking

  • Recalled Air Conditioner
Name of Product:
PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs)
Hazard:

The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.

Remedy:
Inspect
Replace
Repair
Recall Date:
November 30, 2006
Units:

About 10,580

Consumer Contact

For more information, contact Trane at (800)235-2152 or at (931) 648-5047, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to buddy.sholar@trane.com.

Recall Details

Description:

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Trane Co., of Piscataway, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 10,580 PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.

Name of Product: PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs)

Units: About 10,580

Distributor: The Trane Co., of Piscataway, N.J.

Manufacturer: Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner, of Qingdao, China

Hazard: The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.

Incidents/Injuries: Individuals installing units observed smoking and smelled a burning odor in three units during installation testing procedures. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes 208, 230 and 265 volt models of the Trane PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). They were manufactured from about March 2006 through July 2006. The date code is F06C through F06G, and is written on the unit's Manufacturer's Data Plate located behind the molded plastic cover above the power connection.

The units have the following model numbers, also written on the Manufacturer's Data Plate:

PTEE0701UAAPTEE1501UAAPTHE0902UAA
PTEE0702UAAPTEE1502UAAPTHE1201UAA
PTEE0901UAAPTHE0701UAAPTHE1202UAA
PTEE0902UAAPTHE0702UAAPTHE1501UAA
PTEE1201UAAPTHE0901UAAPTHE1502UAA
PTEE1202UAA  

Sold at: Trane distributors sold the recalled units to commercial customers for use in locations such as hotels and office buildings from May 2006 to July 2006.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.

Contact: For more information, contact Trane at (800)235-2152 or at (931) 648-5047, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to buddy.sholar@trane.com.

Remedy: The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.

Contact: For more information, contact Trane at (800)235-2152 or at (931) 648-5047, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to buddy.sholar@trane.com.

Remedy:

The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.

Incidents/Injuries:

Individuals installing units observed smoking and smelled a burning odor in three units during installation testing procedures. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At:
Trane distributors sold the recalled units to commercial customers for use in locations such as hotels and office buildings from May 2006 to July 2006.
Manufacturer(s):
Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner, of Qingdao, China
Distributor(s):
The Trane Co., of Piscataway, N.J.
Manufactured In:
China
Recall number:
07-508

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury 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. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

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