Community encouraged to visually check, not touch switchboards following recall of breakers

Released 23/02/2017

Homeowners, government agencies, property managers and electricians are encouraged to check switchboards and load centres following the national recall of a common circuit breaker manufactured by Eaton Industries.

The recall is of various models of the Quicklag ELQ Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (RCBO) which are identifiable through them having a green “test” button and stamped with ‘Eaton ELQ’.

ACT Construction Occupations Registrar Greg Jones said this was an important national voluntary recall, with Eaton Industries advising a non-compliant material has been used in the manufacture of a component in the breaker, which has been sold since 2004 and poses a potential fire risk.

Mr Jones said if homeowners or residents decide to check their switchboards themselves they should not touch the breakers or components. It should be a visual check only.

“When operating under short circuit conditions the breaker may express ionised gases through the exhaust port which may result in conditions creating a fire risk,” Mr Jones said.

“It is important that homeowners, property managers and government agencies with buildings that may have had electrical work or upgrades undertaken between 2004 and now check to see if they have affected breakers.

“I am writing to industry as well as to government agencies, alerting them to this national voluntary recall and I encourage homeowners to do a quick visual check to see if they are impacted.”

There are thought to be 52,000 of the affected model breaker installed in the ACT and 1.2 million nationally. Eaton Industries is funding the removal and replacement of affected breakers at no charge.

“The breakers can be identified through a few key markers: they should be stamped with ‘Eaton and ELQ’ and have a green test button on them. (EDs note: images included in release)

“If a resident is not confident to visually check the switchboard or there are accessibility issues, I would encourage them to seek the services of a qualified electrician to do so, however noting the financial assistance available through the recall from Eaton Industries covers the replacement and installation of affected breakers, but not any cost incurred in the identification of affected breakers.”

For more information about the national recall and to register for a replacement installation of an affected circuit breaker call 1800 870 851 or visit the website: www.eatoncorp.com.au/elqtw-r

Affected recalled model:

Affected models were sold national from April 2004.

What to do:

Building owners, managers and electrical contractors should check switchboards or loadcentres for potentially affected RCBOs. The affected models can be identified by the presence of a green test button. Products without a test button or with a white or an orange test button are not impacted by this recall. See ‘How-to Identify Recalled Product Guide’ for further guidance on how to identify an affected model.  Visit www.eatoncorp.com.au/elqtw-r for more information.

- Statement ends -

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