News from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs		Washington, D.C. 20207
For Immediate Release August 16, 2006		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. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov 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.   Recessed ceiling fixtures representative of the majority of affected fixtures
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.