[Kenwood] FYI--Recall of Fluke DMMs

[Gregg Hendry]

This may not be completely on-topic, but is certainly of some interest:

See ya,
Gregg Hendry

> -----
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> August 19, 2002
> Release # 02-231  Fluke Recall Hotline: (800) 260-4819
>
> CPSC, Fluke Corp. Announce Recall of Digital Multimeters
> WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
> Commission (CPSC), Fluke Corp., of Everett,
> Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 digital multimeters. About
> 17,200 were sold in the U.S. Multimeters are used to
> measure voltage, resistance and current. The recalled units can take
longer
>  than normal, up to 18 seconds, to display readings of AC voltages above
> 500 volts. Users can misinterpret the delayed reading to mean that high
> voltage is not present.
> If high voltage is present, users could be exposed to a risk of shock,
> electrocution, and thermal burns.
>
> Fluke has received four reports from Canada and Australia, in which users
> experienced a delayed response while measuring
> high voltage, though no injuries were reported.
>
> The recalled Fluke digital multimeters measure up to 1,000 volts
> alternating current (VAC) and direct current (VDC). "Fluke"
> and "175", "177" or "179" are written on the front of the unit. The
tester
> body is yellow and black, and measures about
> 7.25-inches long by 3.5-inches wide. Recalled units have a serial number
> below 79000000. The serial number is written on
> the back of the instrument under the hinged stand. Home and hardware
stores
>  and industrial distributors nationwide sold these
> testers from January 2001 through October 2001 for between $170 and $215.
>
> Consumers should stop using these testers immediately and contact Fluke
for
>  information on returning the recalled unit for a
> free repair. Consumers should call Fluke at (800) 260-4819 between 8 a.m.
> and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or at the
> Fluke Web site www.fluke.com/170recall.