CPSC, American Power Conversion Corp. Announce Recall of Back-Up Power Supply Systems
Home product recall 03-068. Announced by CPSC on Jan 14, 2003.
- CPSC: stop using it
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jan 14, 2003. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 900,000 units, as CPSC gives them
- None injuries, CPSC’s notice says
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The power supply device can fail, causing the unit to overheat, which may pose a fire hazard to consumers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the power supply devices by turning off the power to all connected equipment, turning the Back-UPS CS off, and then unplugging it from the electrical outlet. To obtain a free replacement unit, consumers should contact the company.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Consumers may contact the company at (866) APC-RELY (272-7359) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log on to the company’s website at www.apc.com/rely
Which ones are recalled?
The recalled Back-UPS® CS Uninterruptible Power Supply devices include the Back-UPS CS350 and the Back-UPS CS 500 models. The model number can be found on the front of the unit, along with the words, “Back-UPS CS” and “APC.” In addition, one of the following numbers shows up on the bar code label located on the bottom of the unit: BK350, BK500, BK500BLK. The recalled power supply devices also have one of the following serial numbers - AB0048 through AB0251, BB0104 through BB0251, and JB0125 through JB0251 - which can be found on the bottom of the unit. Units with an “R” at the end of the serial number within the above ranges are not part of this recall.
About 900,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Back-UPS CS350 and Back-UPS CS 500 Back-up Power Supply devices.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by American Power Conversion Corporation (APC), West Kingston, R.I.
- Retailers, computer and electrical distributors, and catalogs nationwide sold the power supply devices, from November 2000 through December 2002, for between $70 and $130.
- Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
APC has received six reports of units overheating, resulting in the melting of the unit’s outer casing and three reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.