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Faulty Installation Instructions Prompt RadioShack Corp. Recall of Electrical Switches; Shock Hazard to Consumers

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Recall Date:
April 02, 2009

Recall Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2009
Release #09-180

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 843-7422

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Illuminated Round Rocker Switches

Units: About 18,000

Importer: RadioShack Corp., of Fort Worth, Texas

Hazard: The wiring diagram on the switch's package is incorrect. The Neutral and Line notation is reversed, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the RadioShack Illuminated Round Rocker Switch, catalog number 275-0021 and a date code of 01P09, or January 2009, and earlier. The switches are used as replacement on/off switches for electronics or for use in hobby projects. The wiring diagram, the catalog number, and manufacturing dates are located on the back of the product's packaging. In the date code MMPYY, MM is the month and YY is the year.

Sold at: RadioShack stores nationwide and online at www.radioshack.com from June 2008 through January 2009 for about $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the switch and check their installation to make sure the Line or Hot conductor is connected to the switch rather than following the original instructions on the back of the package. A corrected wiring diagram is shown below. New wiring instructions are available at www.radioshack.com/recalls (Microsoft Word Document), or by contacting Radio Shack.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RadioShack at (800) 843-7422 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.radioshack.com

 

Picture of Recalled Illuminated Round Rocker Switch

Picture of corrected wiring diagram

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.

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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.

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