Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

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Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Unfortunately for us small contractors with negligible negotiating power will just receive product and eat the cost.
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Oh we would have ate the cost big time if the builders involved hadn`t spec. SQ D 1 QO 1 Homeline.We use G.E. panels.So how are we responsible for a product that was speced by the builder ;) Our usual brand is fine.So far :eek: Hope you didnt have allot of these breakers out there.I feel for you brother.
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

We have been just able to get a few of the newer series Square D AFCI's in. But they are scarce and we are haveing a hard time with it as trying to convince a AHJ to allow a house to close without them is like pulling teeth. :mad:
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Oue AHJ hasn`t caught on to this yet ;) With a closing crunch this is fine by me.We hit the test button on all afci`s the ones that dont trip are replaced,same batch but some trip some dont guess we will deal with these real soon :eek:
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

I just got back from my IAEI division meeting where we had a rep from Square D discuss the issue with the recall. They believe there are 500,000 total units involved with the recall and the total cost will be near 100 million dollars for the company. The problem is from a bad chip made in Belgium. The short-circuit and overcurrent protection has not been compromised, only the AFCI portion of the breaker.

Square D plans on covering the cost for the homeowner or contractor to inspect the existing breakers, remove them, ship them, and replace them. They are developing a recall division at regional offices to handle the calls and returns.

There are still several thousand faulty breakers on the market. They will all have "blue" test buttons. The new breakers will all have "green" test buttons. The company is predicting that it could take upwards of three years to return to normal production and to clear all claims.

[ October 20, 2004, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

i emailed SQ D.they told me that while there are issues re:to afci breakers the distributers would have replacment breakers soon.they are not admitting it but will replace.As long as we get paid we don`t care. ;)
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

On a final today the AHJ asked me if i had heard of a problem with SQ D breakers,My reply was that yes there is a problem with SQ D breakers but that the manufacturer has only at this time acknowledged that there is a problem with some breakers but that there is not actually a recall ongoing.But that replacement breakers will soon be available ;)
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Allen ,not much they can say or do since we don't get meter turned on till they give final,so no way they can test them :) :D

Am curious about where they stand should there be any fires caused by arcs.They sold defective breakers and taking there good time to get them replaced
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Jim this came up today at the shop.No matter what we would be the party of the first part but you can bet your last buck, SQ D would be the party of the second part.Just like Firestone and Ford !
It is stupid here we are with a known problem and the manufacturer is back sliding.Like I said earlier no matter what they speced the product to be used if there is a mandatory recall,then they will pay to go back and change out breakers in the time span.Right now it looks like 3/1/04 to 09/1/04.For us thats allot of homes.650 + or- ;) Oh and firdt we have to go and inspect to see if the afci`s in the home are affected so thats a double trip charge. :eek:
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Not too sure a double trip charge would fly.You should have a new one with you ,afterall that is why your at there house.If they have a recalled breaker then just swap it out.This could be a real pain trying to shedule apointments.
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Jim as of today our distributor has no replacement breakers available,today we got 200 15 amp afci`s ( SQD ) and they were within the date codes listed ?? So if we are to go first asses which homes are affected ,then get the golden goose ( not affected ).On these we will get a double trip charge,since this is what the builder wants to do :D
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

After visiting this forum and understanding that I have AFCIs in my own house, I contacted Square D.

They pointed me to their website at
AFCI Recall

There is a link about the AFCI recall on the Square D website with plenty of information to assist every facet of the industry including the homeowner, contractor, and inspector. Suggest you visit www.squared.com and click on the AFI info link.
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Allen am i understanding you right ? They sold you breakers that they know are on a defective list ? And your installing them ????Any lawyers reading this ?
I do see the problem and you have houses that need to close.
At closing table i hope the buyer is signing his protection away......

[ October 27, 2004, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

AQ D has issued a voluntary recall of these breakers and in an email said that they will replace them.Interested is seeing how this will play out :eek:
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

I am curious as to how inspectors are handling this.They are in a tight spot.Can they final a house with a known safety problem ? And will they ? Six months of defective breakers will take some time to replace.I might be wrong put i think i would change brands at least untill they have taken care of the problem.Any estimates of exact number of breakers involved?
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

We figure we have around 1,800 or so out there.1 contractor in a big ocean :roll:
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

I would think they would be telling you to just return all breakers in stock.If they keep getting installed the problem just grows and the cost.Does this contractor still want you using
SQ D ?
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Allen, if this is such a devastating problem why don't you start using GE, Siemens, or C.H.
products and let the SQ D fix come when it comes?

You're always telling us how many houses you wire a year, these other manufacturers would probably get close to SQ D's price on a quantity buy out.

I just hate to see you keep loosing sleep over this. :roll:

As mentioned earlier by Petersonra, these types of problems are part of doing business and if you are big enough your company will have some pull.

SQ D will probably come up with a replacement compensation figure, and might even negotiate higher. We have done this with manufacturers when dealing with large quantities of defective ballast in the past.

It may not completely cover all cost, but it will help.


Roger

[ October 30, 2004, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
 
Re: Recall of Sqare D Arc-Fault Breakers

Roger we do use GE panels as our main stay brand,there are 2 large builders we deal with that spec SQ D.They already have these panels installed.We figure that there are at least 650 homes going into or in trim out as of this date.So what are we supposed to do r+r these panels ?At least the AHJ hasn`t tagged anything yet for this problem.But then again SQ D has just acknowledged that there is a problem.Now if they lost UL listing then I am sure that the ____ would hit the fan.Same if there was a mandated recall.
 
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