APC UPS too hot to handle

Two products in American Power Conversion's Back-UPS CS product line - the CS350 and CS500 in both the 120 volt and 230 volt models - are being recalled because of the possibility of overheating causing a potential fire hazard. The units were manufactured in the past two years between November 2000 and December 2002.

In a product recall statement APC said it received eight reports worldwide of units overheating resulting in the melting of the unit's outer casing, including one in Australia. Although no injuries have been reported, three of the reported incidents resulted in minor property damage.

APC said 2.1 million was the approximate total number of affected devices being recalled worldwide.

"We remain highly confident in the overall safety and reliability of all of our products, and have been working diligently to ensure that this action results in a minimum inconvenience to our customers and channel partners," said Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., APC president and CEO.

APC is offering owners of the affected units a swap and has extended the normal two-year warranty period to cover the fault. APC advises concerned customers to contact its website for more information.

The affected units were sold primarily through computer and electrical distribution, catalogue and retail outlets.

Consumers can also identify their models by the serial numbers located on the bottom of the unit.
Serial numbers affected;
AB0048 through AB0251
BB0104 through BB0251
JB0125 through JB0251