Hearth Record

Extension Cords Recall by General Cable

Home product recall 97-132. Announced by CPSC on May 29, 1997.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on May 29, 1997. 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

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Which ones are recalled?

Extension Cords Recall by General Cable NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ken Giles May 29, 1997 (301) 504-7052 Release # 97-132 CPSC, General Cable Corp. Announce Recall of Extension Cords WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Cable Corp. of Highland Heights, Ky., is recalling more than 2,700 outdoor extension cords sold under the Carol and Ace brand names. An exposed wire near the receptacle end of the cord presents a shock hazard to consumers. CPSC and General Cable Corp. are not aware of any injuries involving these extension cords. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The Carol brand extension cords have orange, yellow, green, blue, or beige cords. Plugs and receptacles either match the cord or are black. The cord has three receptacles at one end, where the markings “CAROL” and “W-8” are imprinted. The cord is available in lengths ranging from 2 to 100 feet. The cord is packaged in a cardboard wrapper that reads in part, “CAROL...POWR-CENTER ...Outdoor Cord...Made in USA.” The cord is UL listed. The Ace brand extension cords have orange cords and black plugs and receptacles. The cord has three receptacles at one end, where the marking “W-8” is imprinted. “ACE” may also appear on the receptacle. The cord is available in the following lengths: 2, 10, 50, or 100 feet. The cord is packaged in a cardboard wrapper that reads in part, “ACE Outdoor 3 Outlet Power Center...Manufactured in USA for ACE.” The cord is UL listed. Hardware stores, home centers, and electrical distributors nationwide sold the extension cords from April 1997 through May 1997 for about $6 to $90, depending on the length and gauge of the cord. Consumers should stop using these extension cords immediately and return them to the store where purchased to receive a full refund. Consumers can also receive a refund by calling General Cable Corp. toll-free at (888) 594-2600 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday or writing to the company at Dept. 1R, Tesseneer Drive, Highland Heights, Ky. 41076-9753.

Ace outdoor extension cords and Carol Powr-Center outdoor extension cords.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Carol.
  • Made by Ace Hardware.
  • Made by General Cable.
  • Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.

Source:

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.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • 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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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