Surge Suppressors Recalled by GE
Home product recall 88-018. Announced by CPSC on Mar 21, 1988.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Mar 21, 1988. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Electrocution/Electric Shock
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
Surge Suppressors Recalled by GE NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 1988 Release # 88-018 GE Recalls 45,000 Surge Suppressors WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, General Electric Company, Warwick, Rhode Island, is recalling an estimated 45,000 GE and RCA brand Electronic Protection Center surge suppressors, sold nationally by a variety of retailers from October, 19S6 to December 4, 1987. Four GE surge suppressor models, EPC-6S, EPC6NS, EPC-4NS, and EPC-CPU and two RCA surge suppressors, models SK416 and SKF416, are being recalled. Some of these surge suppressor- c are defective and may present a severe electric shock hazard. A defective product’s metal housing and the metal housing of any 3-wire appliance connected to it could be electrified. Although neither shock incidents nor injuries have been reported, four defective units have been returned to GE after their internal circuit breakers reportedly tripped in separate incidents. The product, which sells for about $4O-$60, resembles a power strip with four or six electrical outlets in a light gray colored metal housing. Each unit has an on/off switch, a power indicator light, a resettable circuit breaker, and a 6-foot power cord. The label on top of each unit includes (1) the GE or RCA brand and logo, (2) the words “Electronic Protection Center Surge Suppressor”, “Electronic Protection Center Surge and Noise Suppressor”, or “Computer Protector” and (3) one of the above-listed model numbers. The product was designed for use with personal computers, stereos, TVs and VCRs. Owners who have a surge suppressor subject to this recall should disconnect the product from the wall outlet, without touching the metal housing, and mail it to: General Electric Company Attn: EPC Recall PO Box 8203 Beaverton, OR 97076 A new product will be returned to the consumer along with reimbursement of the postage cost. For additional information, consumers may call the GE Answer Center toll free at 800-626-2000. To report an unsafe consumer product or to receive safety information, consumers may call the CPSC toll free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.
General Electric (GE) Electronic Protection Center Surge & Noise Suppressors, Computer Protectors, RCA Electronic Protection Center Surge and Noise Suppressor and RCA Electronic Protection Center surge suppressors.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by General Electric.
- Made by RCA.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
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.