Amprobe Recalls Clamp Meters Due to Shock Hazard

Alan R. Mercurio_3

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2007
Release #07-130

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 350-8661
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Amprobe Recalls Clamp Meters Due to Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Amprobe Digital Clamp Meters used for electrical testing

Units: About 70,000

Manufacturer: Amprobe Test Tools, of Everett, Wash.

Hazard: The meters can fail to give an appropriate voltage reading, resulting in the operator believing the electrical power is off, which can pose a risk of shock, electrocution, or thermal burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Amprobe is aware of one report of a clamp meter displaying an incorrect voltage reading. No injuries have been reported.

Description: Only Amprobe brand digital clamp meter models ACD-10PRO, ACD-10 TRMS-PRO, ACD-14 and ACD-14TRMS, except those model numbers followed by "FX" or "PLUS," are included in the recall. "Amprobe" and the model numbers are printed on the front of the units. These clamp meters measure 0 to 600 volts alternating current (VAC), and 0 to 600 volts direct current (VDC). In addition, they measure 0 to 400 amps alternating current. The tester body is red and grey and measures 7-1/2 inches in length by 2-1/2 inches in width by 1-1/4 inches thick.

Sold at: Industrial distributors, electrical wholesalers and hardware stores nationwide from January 2002 through December 2006 for about $100.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled clamp meters immediately and contact Amprobe for a free replacement clamp meter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Amprobe at (800)
350-8661 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.amprobe.com/recall

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07130.html


Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=408&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

Weezbo

on a 277-480 line...that would be an EYE OPENER!

this also deserves a second read...

wsdave

Recall

Thanks alan for the heads up.

I have this exact model on my workbench!

Dave

Alan R. Mercurio_3

You're very welcome and I'm so glad you seen this! Be safe.

Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

zeke

Before assuming that there is NO POWER as evidenced by a faulty meter or more likely by flawed leads, one should always as a safety measure, jumper each wire to ground; this will trip the breakers if a meter reads wrongly.

jp_2

joking right zeke?

you are joking aren't you?

ever short a 100 amp line to ground?

heatguy

i sure hope zeke is joking and that people who read this know not to do that. i have the ultra model and wonder if this model is included in recall

LarryC

SAFER measuring technique

1) Verify the meter works on a known energized circuit.
2) Test circuit of interest.
3) Verify the meter STILL works on energized circuit.

Larry (from OSHA)

First of all, Alan

Thank you for bringing this important message to the Wall.

I Hope Zeke is either joking or talking about 120 volt circuits and not higher than that. The hazard from creating a bolted fault on a 120 VAC circuit is fortunately not as great as doing so on a 240 or 480 VAC circuit. There are better ways to de-energize circuits than shorting them out.

(Edit): I do not endorse intentionally shorting ANY circuits at any voltage to trip a circuit breaker. Generally speaking, the available fault current on a 15 amp 120 VAC branch circuit will not be sufficient to produce an arc flash or blast. Sparks will however fly.

Larry C. has provided the method required by NFPA 70E, Safety Related Work Practices for Electrical Workers. If these rules are followed, a defective test device will be discovered, and injury or death will most likely be avoided.

The OSHA regulations for electrical installations are being updated and will take effect in August of this year. The rules for working on energized or de-energized circuits are not being changed at this time, BUT, OSHA requires that workers be protected by using the proper personal protection equipment.

Someone told me today that OSHA regulations do not really relate to the English language. I would not argue with that. Any questions about any of this stuff---just ask.

Larry

Alan R. Mercurio_3

You’re very welcome Larry. And thanks for the help and information you share here on The Wall

Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

jp_2

larry

I'm not sure about 120 either? I once used a screw driver to 'find' which breaker the plug was on, "FLASH CRACK". boy, I never did that again, and it was only a 20amp circuit.

I'll say one thing though, I was annoyed with Fords safety people, they would not let us work on our machine we were installing without it being "locked out". impossbile to trouble shoot electrical/programming problems without electricity.

Larry (from OSHA)

J-p

But, you see, you can have stuff energized when testing or repositioning. There is a provision in the lockout standard that allows that. It would be pretty impossible to troubleshoot stuff if you couldn't have it turned on. Just to be a little confusing, there are different standards that apply to everything other than electrical and an electrical standard for lockout that is specific to electric stuff. (why have one standard when 2 will do?) There is some sense to this, but you have to be an OSHA guy to get it!!! If you need some reading to put you to sleep, the lockout standard is 1910.147 and the electrical stuff is covered under 1910.332 thru 1910.335. osha.gov is the place to find it. Enjoy!

Larry

[Deleted User]

Obviously...

Zeke has never witnessed a plasma arc fire ball...or the devastating results of same...

DO NOT SHORT OUT ANY CIRCUIT TO GROUND

ME

jp_2

larry

maybe things have changed since the mid 80's, then they wanted the disconnect 'locked out', physically.

of course we just said 'sure' thing.....

i think the problem/fear was you would be working/trouble shooting and someone would come by and start pushing buttons, squishing you like a bug.

Larry (from OSHA)

J-p

Things have changed since the 80's. The lockout tagout standard came about in 1991. Ford was ahead of the times by requiring energy isolation and lockout back then. There has been an industry consensus standard on lockout for many many years. ANSI Z244.1 has been the deal for a long time. We enforce 1910.147 for energy isolation stuff that is not electrical and 1910.333 for electrical lockout. There are provisions to make it so you can do what you need to and still be safe, but there is more confusion on these standards than on most everything else.

When you want to know how to do it in compliance, let me know and I'll be glad to help.

Larry