Cree is voluntarily recalling 700,000 of its LED T8 tubes, which it recently launched. A design flaw in the tubes could result in a burn hazard. Cree is cooperating with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Profeco in Mexico. Owners of the LED T8 tubes can opt for a refund or replacement lamps, which the company will begin shipping in July.
According to Cree’s recall page, “Cree is committed to the well-being of our customers and has decided to initiate a voluntary recall of a number of LED T8 replacement lamps. While known incidents are very small in relation to the number of products shipped, any potential safety issue is unacceptable.”
The design flaw involves electrical resistance between the spring contact and the printed circuit board, which may cause over-heating due to electrical arcing. The printed circuit board can overheat and cause the LED T8 lamp to melt, posing fire and burn hazards.
The Cree LED T8 replacement lamp is used indoors to replace traditional T8 fluorescent lamps and has been sold to consumers exclusively at The Home Depot and to commercial lighting customers through electrical lighting distributors from August 20, 2014 to April 30, 2015.
