WASHINGTON - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Square D Co., of Palatine, Ill., has announced a voluntary recall of Square D’s General Duty Safety Switches.

The safety switch can continue to supply electricity even after being placed in the "off" position. This poses the risk of an electric shock or electrocution hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The recall includes General Duty 30 and 60 ampere, 240 volt, 1 phase and 3 phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are typically used to control the flow of electricity to outdoor motorized units that are hardwired to a household or business electrical system such as outdoor HVAC equipment. The switches contain "on" and "off" positions. The "off" position is designed to cut the flow of electricity to an outdoor motorized unit to protect the person who is servicing the unit.

The recalled switches have the following date codes and catalog number printed on bottom of the wiring label inside the front cover or on bottom of the package label:

• Date Codes: 06371 through 06446

• Catalog Numbers: D211NRB, D211NRBBP, D211NRBCP, D221NRB, D221NRBCP, D321NRB, D321NRBCP, DU221RB, DU222RB, DU321RB, DU322RB

The switches were sold at distributors and retailers from September 2006 through November 2006 for between $120 and $300.

Uninstalled safety switches should be returned to the distributor or retailer where purchased for a free replacement unit. Installed safety switches will be replaced free of charge by contacting the firm.

Contact Square D toll-free at 877-202-9046 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Website at www.us.squared.com.

Publication date: 12/25/2006