Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported April 17, 2018
Schneider Electric Recalls Square D Safety Switches Due to Electrical Shock Hazard
The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.
The recall
Schneider Electric USA Inc., of Andover, Mass. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall — The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position, posing an electrical shock or e….
- Moderate
- severity level
- April 17, 2018
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #18140 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #18140) was formally reported on April 17, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Schneider Electric USA Inc., of Andover, Mass. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 1,079,000.
The documented reason for this recall is: The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately inspect installed safety switches by moving the handle to the "OFF" position. If the power stays on when the handle is in the "OFF" position, contact Schneider Electric f… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category — 2,542 household products recalls on record
Where this recall sits in the database
Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Affected scope
About 1,079,000
Related Recalls
6
0 from same agency
Product description
This recall involves Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are a dark gray metal box with a black handle on the side that can be moved to an "ON" or "OFF" position. The "OFF" position is designed to shut off the flow of electricity. The switches may be used in or around commercial buildings, outbuildings, apartments and homes. They measure about 10 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches. Brand name "Square D", the ampere of the safety switch and the 120/240-volt or 240-volt marking is printed on a label on the front of the safety switch. The recalled switches were manufactured between January 1, 2014 through January 18, 2018 and have date codes 1401 through 1803. The date codes are in the YYWW format (example: 1401 = year 2014, week 1). The date code of the product can only be found on the inside of the cover and is not accessible if the product is installed and in-service. Only safety switches with the following catalog numbers printed on a separate label on the side are included in the recall: Catalog Number CD321NRB D211NRB D211NRBCP D221NRB D221NRBCP D221NRBUP D321NRB D321NRBCP D321NRBUP DU221RB DU221RBUP DU222RB DU222RBUP DU321RB DU321RBUP DU321RBCP DU322RB DU322RBCP DU322RBUP
Reason for recall
The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.
Remedy — what to do
Consumers should immediately inspect installed safety switches by moving the handle to the "OFF" position. If the power stays on when the handle is in the "OFF" position, contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement safety switch and free service support to install the replacement switch. If the safety switch is not installed and included in the recall, contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement safety switch. Instructions on how to inspect the switch can be found at www.schneider-electric.us/gdss-safetyalert.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 18140 |
| Date reported | April 17, 2018 |
| Date initiated | April 17, 2018 |
| Recalling firm | Schneider Electric USA Inc., of Andover, Mass. |
| Affected scope | About 1,079,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should immediately inspect installed safety switches by moving the handle to the "OFF" position. If the power stays on …
- Check the recall number (18140) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
This recall involves Square D brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240-volt, 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R safety switches. The switches are a dark gray metal box with a black handle on the side that can be moved to an "ON" or "OFF" position. The "OFF" position is designed to shut off the flow of electricity. The switches may be used in or around commercial buildings, outbuildings, apartments and homes. They measure about 10 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches. Brand name "Square D", the ampere of the safety switch and the 120/240-volt or 240-volt marking is printed on a label on the front of the safety switch. The recalled switches were manufactured between January 1, 2014 through January 18, 2018 and have date codes 1401 through 1803. The date codes are in the YYWW format (example: 1401 = year 2014, week 1). The date code of the product can only be found on the inside of the cover and is not accessible if the product is installed and in-service. Only safety switches with the following catalog numbers printed on a separate label on the side are included in the recall: Catalog Number CD321NRB D211NRB D211NRBCP D221NRB D221NRBCP D221NRBUP D321NRB D321NRBCP D321NRBUP DU221RB DU221RBUP DU222RB DU222RBUP DU321RB DU321RBUP DU321RBCP DU322RB DU322RBCP DU322RBUP. Recalled by Schneider Electric USA Inc., of Andover, Mass.. Units affected: About 1,079,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
The power can stay on when the safety switch handle is in the "OFF" position, posing an electrical shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should immediately inspect installed safety switches by moving the handle to the "OFF" position. If the power stays on when the handle is in the "OFF" position, contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement safety switch and free service support to install the replacement switch. If the safety switch is not installed and included in the recall, contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement safety switch. Instructions on how to inspect the switch can be found at www.schneider-electric.us/gdss-safetyalert.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 17, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 18140.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (18140) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
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Data Sources
Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: CPSC, reported April 17, 2018.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.