Schneider Electric Recalls Xantrex GT Series Grid Tie Solar Inverters Due to Injury Hazard

The recalled inverter converts solar photovoltaic voltages into utility grid voltages; allowing the owner to feed power into the electrical grid. The recalled units were manufactured between September 2005 and August 2010. These products were sold under the Xantrex, Sunpower, and General Electric brands. The brand name is printed on the front of the unit. Affected part numbers, printed on the top of the unit, include the following: 864-0002 864-0117 864-0128 864-0139 864-1006 864-1011 864-1019 864-0107 864-0118 864-0130 864-0140 864-1006-02 864-1012 864-1021 864-0108 864-0119 864-0131 864-1001 864-1007 864-1013 864-1022 864-0111 864-0124 864-0132 864-1001-02 864-1008 864-1014 864-1032 864-0112 864-0125 864-0133 864-1002 864-1009 864-1015 864-1032-02 864-0114 864-0126 864-0135 864-1004 864-1009-02 864-1016 864-0116 864-0127 864-0136 864-1005 864-1010 864-1018 X-864-0002 X-864-0117 X-864-0128 X-864-0139 X-864-1007 X-864-1014 X-864-1032 X-864-0107 X-864-0118 X-864-0130 X-864-0140 X-864-1008 X-864-1015 X-864-0108 X-864-0119 X-864-0131 X-864-1001 X-864-1009 X-864-1016 X-864-0111 X-864-0124 X-864-0132 X-864-1002 X-864-1010 X-864-1018 X-864-0112 X-864-0125 X-864-0133 X-864-1004 X-864-1011 X-864-1019 X-864-0114 X-864-0126 X-864-0135 X-864-1005 X-864-1012 X-864-1021 X-864-0116 X-864-0127 X-864-0136 X-864-1006 X-864-1013 X-864-1022. Recalled by Xantrex Technology Inc. - a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, of Livermore, Calif.. Units affected: About 25,000.

A component of the inverter can degrade, causing out gassing within the wiring compartment of the inverter. When arcing occurs, gasses could build and force the compartment cover to be blown off. If the cover is blown off with sufficient force it can injure the user or person, or cause damage to property in close proximity to the inverter.

Consumers should immediately contact their authorized dealer to set up an appointment to get a free repair of the inverter.

This recall was issued by the CPSC on January 18, 2011. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 11099.