APC recalls 2 UPS models worldwide citing defects

BANGALORE:American Power Conversion (APC) is recalling its two Back-UPS models worldwide. An estimated 2.1 million units are being recalled following worldwide reports of overheating and melting of the outer casting of the devices at a few user site. In the US alone the company is removing 900,000 units from client sites.

The recall is the largest to be undertaken by any company having a manufacturing base in India and the massive exercise is being coordinated along with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled models are in the 120-volt and 230-volt models and were manufactured across its 20 facilities, including Bangalore, where the copany is engaged in manufacturing since 1999. The date of manufacturing of the affected machines are established as between November 2000 and December 2002.

"These models were not designed for Indian conditions, so all of these models were exported. The exact number of units manufactured in Bangalore is not known and the logistics department is proactively working and results should be known within a week," said APC India spokesperson, Balu Pandian.

APC took the decision to recall its two models after receiving eight reports worldwide of melting of the units' outer casting due to overheating six of which occurred in the United States. Three of the reported incidents resulted in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported. Apc sells its products primarily through computer and electrical distribution, catalog and retail outlets worldwide.

"This is the first time in 20 years that such a incident has been reported and the conditions or the reasons causing the defect is not yet known," commented Pandian.

Immediately after the decision the company swung into action and started communicating to its customers. To learn more about the recall action and the process for replacing the affected units, users should visit www.apc.com or call 866 APC-RELY (866 272-7359).

According to a company release, "Consumers with affected units can identify them by the model markings on the front of the unit and by the serial numbers located on the bottom of the unit. Only units with serial numbers having the first six characters in the following ranges are affected:

• AB0048 through AB0251


• BB0104 through BB0251


• JB0125 through JB0251

"Any units with an "R" at the end of the serial number are not part of the recall, " the release adds.

APC has also issued a recommendation to the user that the UPS be immediately removed from service by turning off all connected equipment, turning the UPS unit off, and then unplugging the unit from the electrical outlet.

APC President and CEO Roadger B Dowdell Jr in a statement has said, "We remain highly confident in the overall safety and reliability of all of our products, and have been working diligently to ensure that this action results in a minimum inconvenience to our customers and channel partners."