Recalls: match the identifiers, not just the brand.

Quick answer

The records below come from CPSC recall notices [C1–C17], one ICE press release [O2] and one OSHA hazard alert [O1]. The notices below print the identifiers to look for.

• One record is an investigation closure. In 1983 CPSC closed its investigation of Federal Pacific Electric Stab-lok breakers "without making a determination as to the safety of FPE circuit breakers or the accuracy of the manufacturer's position on the matter" [C1].

Left: product and brand documents. Right: CPSC actions. Only dates stated in the cited primary documents; no ownership history is inferred.

1. 1968

   E12 p.78; S9 p.45

   Non-CTL replacement breakers: "For replacement in enclosures manufactured

   prior to 1968 with unnotched stabs" (Eaton); "panels manufactured before 1968"

   (Siemens)

2. 1979

   C1

   FPE: CPSC notice refers to breakers "manufactured before Reliance acquired FPE

   in 1979"

3. 1983

   C1

   Mar 3, 1983: CPSC closes its FPE Stab-lok investigation (2011 note: "without

   making a determination as to the safety" of the breakers)

4. 1987

   C10

   Sept 1986-May 1987: I-T-E load centers installed in this period covered by

   Siemens' free inspection program (notice issued Nov 1, 1988)

5. 1988

   C11

   Apr 13, 1988: Square D Series 1 two-pole GFCI breakers - free replacement

   program

6. 1988

   C2

   Nov 12, 1988: Challenger type HAGF-15 / HAGF-20 GFCI breakers - recall

7. 1998

   C4

   Oct 7, 1998: Siemens / Murray 2-pole GFCI breakers - recall

8. 2002

   S1 p.1

   After January 2002: Murray Meter Combo, EQ Small Circuit and

   Rock Solid load centers may use Siemens breakers (S1 p.1).

9. 2003

   C16

   "authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have

   white paint on the amperage numbers"

10. 2004

    C7; C13

    Nov 3, 2004: Square D QO / Homeline AFCI breakers; Nov 19, 2004: Midwest / GE

    meter load centers

11. 2006

    C6, C14, C15, C16, C5

    Nov 2006-Aug 2010: five recalls of counterfeit "Square D" breakers by

    distributors

12. 2010

    C3

    Sept 23, 2010: Siemens / Murray 15-50 A breakers, load centers and meter

    combos (spring clip)

13. 2014

    C17

    Dec 2, 2014: Eaton MBED3042 residential meter breakers

14. 2019

    S1 p.1

    Sept 5, 2019: Siemens letter - "The Murray brand of circuit breakers is being

    phased out"

15. 2022

    C8

    Jun 16, 2022: Square D QO Plug-on-Neutral load centers - recall

16. 2024

    G1 p.1

    Oct 2, 2024: ABB stops accepting new orders for 1/2" THQP breakers

    Eaton: "Eaton has the largest installed base of residential circuit breakers, which includes legacy brands such as Westinghouse, Challenger, Bryant, and our current Type CH & Type BR

    designs." (E5 p.4)

Original drawing and source annotations

The original drawing is schematic, not a product label, field measurement or installation instruction.

Open the original full-size SVG

designs." (E5 p.4)

Sources: E12 Eaton CA08100002E p.78; S9 Siemens SPEEDFAX p.45; C1-C17 CPSC recall notices; S1 Siemens letter 2019-09-05 p.1; G1 ABB notice 2024-06-28 p.1; E5 Eaton MZ00400002E p.4.

Dates are those printed in each notice.

All records at a glance

Siemens, Murray and I-T-E

2010: Siemens and Murray breakers, load centers and meter combos

• Hazard: "The recalled circuit breakers have a spring clip that can break during normal use, leading to a loss of force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panelboard." [C3]
• Scope: "Siemens and Murray 15 through 50 AMP single and double pole circuit breakers, load centers (circuit breakers that come with an electrical panel), and meter combos (contain a load center and a meter socket)." [C3]
• Where to look: "'Siemens' or 'Murray,' date codes 0610 or 0710 and the catalog number are printed on a label on the side of the circuit breakers." [C3]
• Breaker catalog numbers listed: Q115, Q120, Q130, Q215, Q230, Q250, MP115, MP115U, MP120, MP130, MP215, MP230, MP230U and MP250 [C3].
• Load centers and meter combos [C3]:
  • "Date codes between June 2010 through August 2010 are stamped on the inside of the metal box of the load centers and meter combos." [C3]
  • "The catalog number for the load centers and meter combos is printed on a label inside the metal box door and on the packaging." [C3]
  • Load centers dated Jun 23 2010 – Aug 25 2010 include G2020B1100CP, G3030B1100CP, G4040B1200CUSGP, LC4040B1200P, G3040B1200CP, G3040L1200CP, G4040B1200CP, G3030B1150CP, W3040B1200CP, G1624L1125CP and W4040B1200CP. The meter combo listed is JA2040B1200SP [C3].
• Sales and incidents [C3]:
  • Sold "from June 2010 through August 2010 for between $2.50 to $235" [C3].
  • "Siemens has received one report of a circuit breaker spring clip that broke during installation. No injuries have been reported." [C3]
• Remedy: "Consumers should immediately contact Siemens for a free inspection by an electrician and a free replacement product." [C3]

1998: Siemens and Murray 2-pole GFCI breakers

• The recall covers "about 144,000 2-pole ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers, typically used with hot tubs and spas" [C4].
• Hazard: "These GFCI circuit breakers could overheat and lose their ability to prevent injury or death." [C4]
• Identification [C4]:
  • "The face of the black plastic units have a large, white button with the word 'TEST' molded into it." [C4]
  • "A product identification sticker is affixed to the face of each unit near the 'TEST' button. The word 'Siemens' or 'Murray' will be found at the top of the sticker, and the phrase '2 Pole Unit' is printed on the bottom of the sticker." [C4]
  • "Only 2-pole units are being recalled." [C4]
• Sold "nationwide from March 1996 through April 1998 for about $100" [C4].
• Warning: "Consumers should not attempt to remove the GFCI circuit breaker because high voltage can cause death or serious injury." [C4]

1988: I-T-E load center inspection program

• Siemens offered "free inspection and correction of certain of its I-T-E brand circuit-breaker boxes (load centers) installed between September 1986 and May 1987" [C10].
• Siemens had discovered "that some of the circuit-breaker boxes were manufactured using components of an incorrect material, which could cause overheating and malfunction" [C10].
• Where to look: the boxes "can be identified by a five-digit code marked on the top of the wiring diagram label inside the door which is opened to reset the circuit breakers" [C10].
• Date codes [C10]:
  • H2586–H3186: "H = August, days 25 through 31, 86 = year" [C10].
  • J0186–J3086: "J = September, days 1 through 30, 86 = year" [C10].
  • K0186–K2486: "K = October, days 1 through 24, 86 = year" [C10].
  • The notice's own example: "A product manufactured on September 24, 1986 bears the code J2486." [C10]
• "If the wiring diagram label has an 'inspected lugs' stamp, the load center has already been inspected and corrected if necessary." [C10]

Square D (Schneider Electric)

2022: QO Plug-on-Neutral load centers

• Hazard: "The load center can overheat, posing thermal burn and fire hazards." [C8]
• Scope [C8]:
  • "indoor, outdoor and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Square D QO Plug-On Neutral Load Centers" [C8].
  • "manufactured between February 2020 and January 2022, with date codes between 200561 and 220233" [C8].
• Where the date codes are [C8]:
  • Installed outdoor units: "the manufacturing date codes are printed on the inside of the cover or door of the unit or on the box itself when the cover or door is open" [C8].
  • Installed indoor units: "a qualified electrician can locate the interior date codes that are not visible to the home owner" [C8].
  • "Consumers can find the catalog number and date code on indoor load centers inside the door of the panel." [C8]
• The notice lists catalog numbers beginning with prefixes such as CQO116L100PGRB, QO130M200PRB and QOC30UFWG [C8].
• Remedy and incidents [C8]:
  • "This inspection and any resulting replacement or repair are free of charge." [C8]
  • "Consumers who continue to use the load centers while awaiting the free repair should have working smoke alarms in their homes." [C8]
  • "The firm has received one report of an incident of a loose wire. No injuries have been reported." [C8]

2004: QO and Homeline AFCI breakers

• Hazard: "An electronic component failure inside the AFCIs can cause the devices to not detect an electrical arc." [C7]
• Identification [C7]:
  • "The recalled units were manufactured after March 1, 2004, and have a blue test button." [C7]
  • "The AFCI circuit breakers have one of the following date codes - CN, DN, EN, FN, GN, HN, or JN - stamped in red on the breaker label located just above the wiring terminal." [C7]
• Catalog numbers: QO115AFI, QO115AFIC, QO120AFI, QO120AFIC, QOB115AFI, QOB120AFI, HOM115AFI, HOM115AFIC, HOM120AFI, HOM120AFIC, QO115VHAFI, QO120VHAFI, QOB115VHAFI and QOB120VHAFI [C7].
• Remedy: "Installed AFCIs will be replaced free of charge through electrical contractors." [C7]

1988: Series 1 two-pole GFCI breakers

• Square D offered "free replacement of its 15 through 30 ampere size Series 1 two-pole ground fault interrupting (GFCI) circuit breakers" [C11].
• Identification [C11]:
  • "The involved Square D GFCI circuit breakers have a yellow 'Push-To-Test' button and are two-pole units which are physically twice the size of most branch circuit breakers." [C11]
  • "Square D GFCI circuit breakers which display the Square D trademark near the circuit breaker handle are not subject to this problem." [C11]
• CPSC's recommendation: "all GFCI's, both circuit-breaker type and outlet type, be tested frequently, at least monthly, using the test button on each unit." [C11]

2002: MA/MH circuit breakers

• "Square D Company of Palatine, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 MA/MH circuit breakers manufactured between October 2000 and March 2002 for between $3,000 to $9,000." [C12]
• Hazard: an "incorrect torque load applied to the lug mounting screws" could cause "a high temperature condition" [C12].

Challenger (1988 GFCI breakers)

• Challenger "voluntarily offered free replacement of its 15 and 20 ampere type HAGF single pole ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers" [C2].
• They "were manufactured between February 22, 1988 and April 29, 1988" [C2].
• Where to look [C2]:
  • "If the name 'Challenger' is embossed on the front of the panel (on the door handle) and/or on the label on the back of the panel/door, that panel may contain circuit breakers requiring replacement." [C2]
  • "Affected circuit breakers have a yellow button and the word 'test' in raised letters on one side; on the other side, the number 15 or 20 is printed on the handle in white letters between the raised words 'ON' and 'OFF.'" [C2]
  • "If the number on the handle is black or if there is a label with white lettering next to the word 'test', then the HAGF circuit breaker will not need to be replaced." [C2]
• Remedy: "Consumers who believe that they have installed HAGF circuit breakers requiring replacement should contact a licensed electrician to perform this work." [C2]

GE and Midwest meter load centers (2004)

• Models: "R256EB1A, R256EB1NA, and R256EB1018A (Midwest) and TSLR1220CSAL (GE). Affected date code range is SAL421 through 432." [C13]
• Hazard: "Some of these products were sold with loose internal bolt connections, which could result in excessive heat or fire." [C13]
• Units: "2,754, manufactured from May through August 6, 2004" [C13].

Eaton meter breakers (2014)

• Catalog numbers: "MBED3042B200BF, MBED3042B200BF6, MBED3042B225PV or MBED3042PV200BF. The catalog number is located on the unit's packaging." [C17]
• Hazard: "The meter breaker's electrical components can be easily accessed, posing a shock hazard to consumers." [C17]
• "Consumers should not open the meter breaker's enclosure." [C17]
• Sold by "Authorized distributors in California and Nevada from July 2014 through August 2014" [C17].

Counterfeit "Square D" breakers: what CPSC says genuine ones have

Original outline drawing (not a photo, not to scale). Feature wording is quoted from CPSC recall notices for counterfeit "Square D" breakers.

Front1

Side2 · 3 · 4

1 Amp rating on the handle

"the amp rating written on the handle in white paint

on the front of the breaker" (C5, C14, C15, C16).

C16 adds: "authentic Square D circuit breakers

manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint

on the amperage numbers".

2 Molded insignia

"the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side"

(C5, C14, C15, C16).

3 Mounting clip

"a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the

top of the clip visible" (C14, C15, C16; C5 says

"yellow chromate clip").

4 Arc chute opening (one notice)

"on the side of the breaker, where wire terminal

screw is located, the arc shoot opening should have

squared corners with the bottom edge of the opening

angled up" (C6).

CPSC: "If your breaker does not match this description, it could be counterfeit." (C5) CPSC tip: "Look for a certification mark from an independent testing

organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the manufacturer's label." (C9)

These historical notice descriptions are not a standalone authenticity test. Keep the applicable notice and its product/date scope. C16

Original drawing and source annotations

The original drawing is schematic, not a product label, field measurement or installation instruction.

Open the original full-size SVG

Sources: CPSC recall notices C5 (Miami Breaker, Aug 2, 2010), C6 (Scott Electric, Nov 16, 2006), C14 (Connecticut Electric, Oct 30, 2007), C15 (North American Breaker

Co., Dec 27, 2007), C16 (Specialty Lamp International, May 27, 2008); C9 CPSC counterfeit warning (May 2007). C16 remedy: "Consumers should contact Specialty to

determine if the breaker they have is counterfeit".

Five distributor recalls between 2006 and 2010 describe the same genuine features [C5] [C6] [C14] [C15] [C16].

• Handle: "the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker" [C5] [C14] [C15] [C16].
  • The 2008 notice adds: "authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint on the amperage numbers" [C16].
• Side: "the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side" [C5] [C14] [C15] [C16].
• Clip: "a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible" [C14] [C15] [C16].
• Arc chute (2006 notice only): "on the side of the breaker, where wire terminal screw is located, the arc shoot opening should have squared corners with the bottom edge of the opening angled up" [C6].
• Each notice's closing line [C5] [C6] [C14] [C15] [C16]:
  • "If your breaker does not match this description, it could be counterfeit." [C5]
  • "If your Square D breaker does not match this description…" [C6] [C14]
  • "If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description…" [C15] [C16]

• Hazard: the breakers "can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers" [C5] [C16].
• Two notices state it is "not a Square D Company recall" [C15] [C16].

Other counterfeit and refurbishment warnings

• CPSC, 2007 [C9]:
  • "Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights can cause fires, explosions, shocks and electrocutions." [C9]
  • Tip: "Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the manufacturer's label. Trademarked logos that look different than usual may signal a counterfeit." [C9]
• ICE (release dated December 8, 2011; search "On April 21, 2010") [O2]:
  • A business owner imported counterfeit breakers "bearing this counterfeit trademark and also 'Zinsco,' 'Telemecanique,' 'ABB' and 'Siemens'". The first counterfeit mark named was "Stab-Lok" [O2].
  • He also affixed "labels bearing the counterfeit trademark of 'UL'" [O2].
  • Agents seized "approximately 19,000 counterfeit electrical components and label making equipment" in Austin and "an additional 77,000 counterfeit circuit breakers" in Laredo [O2].
• Eaton [E6 p.1]:
  • "Molded-case circuit breakers are not designed for modification, service, or refurbishing outside of Eaton operated facilities." [E6 p.1]
  • "Buying from an authorized Eaton reseller will minimize your risk." [E6 p.1]
• OSHA [O1]:
  • Its alert concerns Eaton/Cutler-Hammer E2 mining-series breakers. A third-party rebuilder "reproduced and affixed a product label to the front of the breakers in an effort to make the circuit breakers look new and legitimate" [O1 p.1].
  • "An NRTL's mark must be affixed to the breaker, typically on the label of the breaker." [O1 p.2]

Federal Pacific Electric: what the 1983 CPSC notice says

• The staff note on the revised release (revised February 18, 2011): "the Commission closed the matter without making a determination as to the safety of FPE circuit breakers or the accuracy of the manufacturer's position on the matter" [C1].
• "Commission testing confirmed that these breakers fail certain UL calibration test requirements." [C1]
• "The Commission investigation focused primarily on 2 pole residential circuit breakers manufactured before Reliance acquired FPE in 1979." [C1]
• "The Commission staff believes that it currently has insufficient data to accept or refute Reliance's position." [C1]
• CPSC's precautions for all breakers and fuses include: "Investigate to determine why a fuse blows or circuit breaker trips. Do not simply replace the fuse or reset the breaker." and "When in doubt, consult a licensed electrician." [C1]

Sources

All documents fetched 2026-11-15 or 2026-11-16 and archived with SHA256 (see SOURCE-LIBRARY.csv). Kind: primary = issued by the manufacturer/agency; primary-mirror = manufacturer document hosted by a third party; primary (vendor) = issued by the maker of the replacement product described.