Tu-Wire® Dimming Ballasts Used With Compact Fluorescent Lights Recalled for Shock Hazard

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2006
Release #06-235

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 793-4270
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Tu-Wire® Dimming Ballasts Used With Compact Fluorescent Lights Recalled for Shock Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Tu-Wire® ballasts used with dimmable compact fluorescent lights

Units: About 28,000 units

Manufacturer: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

Hazard: These ballasts, if not properly grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Code, can present a risk of electric shock to persons who come in contact with the ballast or with a light fixture that incorporates the ballast, such as when a consumer changes a fluorescent lamp bulb.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recalled ballast is used to dim compact fluorescent lighting fixtures. The ballasts are not visible once installed. The ballasts were included with light fixtures sold under numerous brand names. Consumers should not touch these fixtures, since they could pose a shock hazard. The fixtures with these ballasts have a 120 VAC application, the fixture housing is for a 26W or 32W four-pin plug-in compact fluorescent lamp installed after July 1998. Most of the lights were sold for commercial use, though some were sold for consumer use. This recall does not involve light fixtures containing incandescent or halogen lamps or fixtures with screw-in compact fluorescent lamps or straight tube (linear) fluorescent lamps.

Sold by: Light fixture manufacturers, electrical distributors and electrical contractors nationwide from July 1998 through May 2006 for about $120.

Manufactured In: Puerto Rico

Remedy: Consumers should not touch these fixtures, since they could pose a shock hazard. Consumers should contact Lutron Electronics to arrange for free replacement of the recalled ballasts.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Lutron Electronics toll-free at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.lutron.com

Picture of Recalled dimmable compact fluorescent lights

Recessed ceiling fixtures representative of the majority of affected fixtures