Recalls / 2014-08-21

SolarWorld Recalls Solar Systems with Copper Grounding Lugs Due to Electrocution, Electric Shock or Fire Hazard

14260 · Recalled 2014-08-21 · CPSC page

Improper Bare-Copper Lugs Installed on Roof

Description

This recall includes SolarWorld solar systems installed with bare-copper grounding lugs installed after June 1, 2010. These solar systems use energy from the sun to generate electricity within a system circuit. The installation instructions for SolarWorld solar systems sold after June 1, 2010 called for the use of GBL-4DB lugs for grounding. SolarWorld has revised these installation instructions to explicitly call for tin-coated lugs, specifically Ilsco part number GBL-4DBT. "T" is for tin-coated and indicated by the silver color of the lug.

Hazards

SolarWorld solar panels installed with bare-copper grounding lugs can corrode which could result in a faulty ground circuit, posing an electric shock, electrocution or fire hazard.

Reported injuries

The firm has received one report of corrosion related to the bare copper lugs. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy

Customers may be able to identify from the ground whether a tin-coated lug (silver) or a bare-copper lug (brown) has been used on their solar panels. Consumers who can identify the improper lugs should contact SolarWorld for replacement. If customers cannot determine which grounding lugs were used, they should contact SolarWorld to have an authorized SolarWorld agent inspect the installation and replace the lugs with tin-coated grounding lugs or equally safe alternative remedy at no cost to consumers. SolarWorld is requesting that distributors and others remove SolarWorld's installation instructions dated before June 2014 from their websites or other commercial information sources.

Products

Name	Model	Units
SolarWorld Solar Systems		About 1.3 million in the U.S. and 210,000 in Canada

Parties

Distributor: SolarWorld Americas, of Camarillo, California, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG, of Bonn, Germany.
Made in: United States
Sold at: SolarWorld installers, distributors, or other distribution companies, 000 to $10, 000 depending on system size.

Consumer contact

Contact SolarWorld toll-free at (877) 360-1787 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.solarworld-usa.com and click on the "Product Safety" tab for more information.

More images

Proper Tin-Coated Lugs Installed on Roof

Source: CPSC recall 14260. Inclusion in this database is not legal or medical advice.