Interline Brands Inc. electric wiring

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Feb 16, 2017 · , sent to the company May 15, 2017 · , published by CPSC May 30, 2017

   The product, in the report: Electrical light switches

   This caller is reporting the electrical light switches in his home that was installed when being built around 2012. The caller had seen sparking at various times from different switches. His home and approximately 40 other homes in his development were built by the same electric company at least on his entire block and they are the contractor hired for electrical installations. He has at this time established only that the house to the left of his and the house to right of his had sparking coming from the switches also. During the first week of February 2017 eight of the switches were replaced by the same electrician. These eight appeared to be the worst and the caller observed that the wiring was charred with melted plastic. He then stated to the builder that he was now very leery of the rest of the light switches and the builder since then isn’t talking with him. He has only that the switches are part# WH4300-WH, Manufacture 610578 sku# 76335610665. He said that each switch supports only one light or one lamp etc. There are no injuries being reported. He is reporting this to CPSC as a severe fire hazard and is asking that they become investigated, recalled and replaced.

   Note: There are pictures embedded in the storyline. High resolution photos are available of the burnt switches.

   The builder, [REDACTED] Residential, built my home in 2011. While the home was within the 1-year warranty, I reported to the builder that my light switches smelled burnt and were arcing when toggled. I have a sensitive nose and could smell this clearly. He sent out the original electrician from Thompson Electric (in 2012) who said they are “fine” after a bit of debate. Fast forward to late 2016 and now the majority of my light switches have signs of black burning that is clearly visible when the light switches are in the ON position. The light switches that carry the higher loads (more lights) seem to burn first. But, these loads are normal and proper for a UL rated switch. The switches are rated at 15 amps and are operating on a 15 amp circuit. The load for the bathroom for example is a fraction of the rated load (6 x 60w bulbs = 360watts or roughly 3 amps of load on the switch or 20% of what is was rated to do by UL)

   At my request, this February 2016, I showed the builder via email pictures of the “scorched” light switches (above) and let him know that one was tripping the circuit breaker and the others appeared to arc or shoot a spark when toggled. There are more examples in the home but only a few pictures were provided. He expressed concern as did the electrician (they are good people). The original electrician came out and replaced 8 switches that appeared visibly burnt as indicated by the black area in the photos. We all agreed that maybe a bad batch of switches existed and that a few were defective. This was a kind gesture and very much appreciated. I then took the burnt switches apart and was stunned at what I saw.

   Internally, the switches are melted, scorched, the contacts burnt, and there is clear evidence of a high-heat environment sufficient to melt plastic (read: fire hazard). It is clear that the contacts are defective causing an arc which was melting the white plastic on the back of the switch. As the plastic melted, the switch become more unreliable and arced more since. The switches that are most burnt also had some “play” in the switch vs. a nice clean on/off toggle feel like a new switch. Every switch I took apart looked the same. I did not take all switches apart to preserve any evidence that may need preservation.

   I then began to wonder if the switches that weren’t visibly burnt may be internally burnt. This had me concerned. I then chatted with a neighbor. We live in a condominium community and many homes were built in a row at the same time by the same builder using the same electrician and the same switches. My neighbors switches are visibly burnt also (see picture below, it mirrors my bathroom identically). Notice below the left switch that has the highest load is visibly burnt and the other two, the vent fan and single light over the tub (low loads) are not visibly burnt.

   It seems the switches that carry the larger loads (kitchen lights, bathroom lights, etc.) burn up internally first. The switches that carry a lesser load (a single light in a closet) seem to do better. But, the switches are all working well under their UL rated capacity.

   My questions - how many homes have these defective switches? They are clearly a fire hazard and the problem is bigger than I thought.

   Some internet research of switch today found the following:

   The switches appear to be made by [REDACTED] Brands under the [REDACTED] product label. The label shows the switch as item [REDACTED] , MFG# [REDACTED] Single Pole Switch White, with a SKU of [REDACTED] . There is a UL stamp, a rating of 15 amps, and a Made in China label. Do note in the photos one switch is a three-way switch (kitchen). This is a different SKU but the internal parts are the same and they were likely manufactured together.

   Please let me know if you need higher resolution photos.

   Model

   WH4300-WH

   UPC

   76335610665

   Serial number

   610578

   Bought from

   unknown

   Where

   Virginia Beach, Virginia: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand unknown, made or sold by Interline Brands Inc.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources