Cree recalls LED T8 tube retrofit due to fire hazard

Cree has issued a voluntary recall of its tube-shaped T8 LED (Source CNET), a light designed to replace fluorescent bulbs in common commercial and office fixtures. The company estimates that roughly 700,000 units are affected, citing a potential fire hazard as the cause of concern.

According to the North Carolina-based manufacturer, the problem stems from electrical resistance between the spring contact and the printed circuit board. This resistance can lead to electrical arcing, which can, in turn, cause the light to overheat. At that point, the lamp could begin to melt, posing fire and burn hazards.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Information

Cree
The T8 LEDs are sold through distributors to commercial lighting customers, and exclusively at Home Depot for residential usage. Nine SKUs in total are affected by the defect, and sales of all nine were halted on April 30th, 2015. Owners of those bulbs should disconnect them and contact Cree for a free replacement or a refund.

A Cree representative provided the following comment: "While known incidents are very small in relation to the number of products shipped, any potential safety issue is unacceptable. Cree is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Profeco in Mexico to provide information to Cree T8 LED replacement lamp owners."

Units
About 700,000 in the U.S. (an additional 11,500 were sold in Canada)

Description
This recall involves Cree LED T8 lamps used indoors to replace traditional two pin T8 fluorescent tubes. The white lamps have a cylindrical shape and measure 48 inches long. The affected units are marked as “BT848 Series Lamp” with the product part number on the lamp itself or printed on a white label affixed to the lamp. A four digit date code is printed on the lamp under a statement that reads “Compatible with Instant Start, Rapid Start and Dimmable Electronic Ballasts.” Product numbers and UPC codes printed on the product packaging included in the recall are listed below:

Date Codes
Any of the above product numbers with any of the following date codes are affected: 3314, 3414, 3514, 3614, 3714, 3814, 3914, 4014, 4114, 4214, 4314, 4414, 4514, 4614, 4714, 4814, 4914, 5014, 5114, 5214, 0115, 0215, 0315, 0415, 0515, 0615, 0715, 0815, 0915, 1015, 1115, 1215, 1315, 1415, 1515, 1615.

Incidents/Injuries
Cree has received four reports of the lamps overheating and melting. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using, disconnect or switch off the fixture, remove the recalled T8 LED lamp, put it in a safe place and contact the firm to receive a full refund or replacement lamp.

Sold at
Sold at The Home Depot® nationwide and to commercial lighting customers through electrical distributors from August 2014 through April 2015 for about $22 per tube.

Importer(s)
Cree Inc., of Durham, N.C.

Distributor(s)
Cree Inc., of Durham, N.C.

Manufactured in
China

Cree Consumer Contact

Cree customer service toll-free at (888) 338-7883 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at T8LED@cree.com or online at www.cree.com and click on “Recalls” or go to www.cree.com/recall for more information.

Sources:

CNET

CREE

CPSC