ISSUE DATE: 07/15/08 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P08-14 

FROM: MARK E. SKILES

 Director of Technical Support 

 KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

 FELIX A. QUINTANA

 Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal 

Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Potential Hazard from Recalled Electrical Disconnect Switches 

Who needs this information?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is intended for mine operators, miners' 

representatives, independent contractors, Mine Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) enforcement personnel, Technical Support personnel, manufacturers, repair 

and rebuild shops, and other interested parties. 

Why is MSHA issuing this PIB?

MSHA is issuing this PIB to inform the mining industry of a recall of potentially 

defective electrical disconnect switches manufactured in Finland by Ensto Control Oy, 

distributed by Ensto in the United States (US) to US manufacturers and distributors, 

and sold under other manufacturers’ labels. The defective switches were identified as 

certain models for the Ensto Control Origin toggle and rotary switches. 
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What is the background for this PIB?

MSHA became aware of a Product Safety Bulletin issued on January 15, 2008, by Eaton 

Corporation. The bulletin indicated a potential defect in Eaton/Cutler-Hammer Brand 

labeled rotary and toggle disconnect switches. However, potentially defective switches 

were also sold under several manufacturers’ labels. A link to the US recall issued by 

Ensto Control Oy can be found at: 

http://www.ensto.com/www/english/index/enstogroup/Currenttopics/switch_in_u

sa.html 

The disconnect switches are found in products distributed by and labeled as: 

• Eaton/Cutler-Hammer 

• Ensto 

• Factorymation 

• Ferraz Shawmut 

• Kaltek Inc 

• Siemens Automation 

• Socomec 

Information

As shown below, the affected switches may be rotary or toggle configuration and have 

current ratings from 60 to 125 amperes. The switches are typically used in motor 

disconnect applications (such as HVAC units) and in electric distribution and control 

panel applications. 

MSHA has been informed that only those switches manufactured during weeks 1 

through 50 of 2007 are potentially defective and must be replaced. 

 

MSHA has not been able to determine whether any of these defective switches are being 

used in the mining industry. The defect in the disconnect switch could cause one pole to 

remain energized when the switch is in the OFF position. This potential hazard could 

expose miners performing repair or maintenance work to energized circuits when the 

indicator is in the off position. The switch must be replaced to assure safe operation. 
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To determine if the disconnect switch was manufactured during weeks 1 through 50 of 

2007, the date code on the back of the switch must be checked using the recommended 

procedures below: 

Step 1: De-energize circuit by moving an upstream de-energizing device to the “OFF” 

position. 

Step 2: Move the disconnect switch to the “OFF” position. 

Step 3: Use a properly rated voltage-sensing device to verify that the line and load 

terminals of the circuit are de-energized. 

Step 4: If the disconnect switch is installed in an enclosure, open cover and remove the 

switch. The date code is listed on the back of the switch at the bottom. 

Step 5: If date code falls between Week 1 and Week 50 of 2007 (01 07 and 50 07) then the 

unit must be replaced as specified under Corrective Action. If the date does not fall in 

the stated time period, reinsert the switch. The unit can be operated normally and the 

circuit re-energized. 

 

Week - Year 

 

If the switch is enclosed in an Air Conditioning (A/C) Type Disconnect Enclosure 

manufactured by Eaton, the date is listed on the upper right corner inside the enclosure. 

To determine the date code of the A/C disconnect switch the operator should use the 

recommended procedures below: 

Step 1: De-energize the circuit by moving an upstream de-energizing device to the 

“OFF” position. 

Step 2: Move the disconnect switch to the “OFF” position. 
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Step 3: Remove the plastic inner cover. Use a properly rated voltage-sensing device to 

verify that the line and load terminals of the circuit are de-energized. 

Step 4: Locate the date code listed on the upper right corner inside the case. 

Step 5: If the A/C disconnect enclosure date code falls between Week 1 and Week 50 of 

2007 (01 07 and 50 07) then the date code of the switch must be checked (continue to 

Step 6). If the A/C disconnect date code does not fall into the stated time period, the 

unit can be operated normally. The circuit can be re-energized. 

Step 6: Remove the switch using the din rail release tab mechanism located on the line 

side of the switch. Inspect the date code located on the back of the switch as outlined 

previously. If the date code falls between Week 1 and Week 50 of 2007, the switch must 

be replaced as specified under Corrective Action. If the date does not fall in the stated 

time period, reinsert the switch and cover plate. The unit can be operated normally and 

the circuit re-energized. 

 

Year - Week 

Corrective Action

1. If it is determined that the switch was manufactured during weeks 1 through 50 of 

2007, the switch should be tested to determine whether it is, in fact, defective. 

2. If it is determined the switch is defective, the switch must be removed from service 

immediately to assure safe operation. 

3. If the switch was manufactured within the recall dates but not defective, the switch 

can remain in service until replaced as soon as possible. This switch will need to be 

marked to indicate the potential defect and appropriate safety procedures should be 
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implemented to verify that load terminals are de-energized when the switch is in the 

“off” position until the switch is replaced. 

 

4. To have the switch replaced, contact your supplier and ask for a replacement for the 

recalled product. Your distributor or original equipment manufacturer will make 

necessary arrangements for replacement parts. 

What is MSHA’s authority for this PIB?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq; 30 

C.F.R. § 56.12030, 56.12002, 56.12041, 57.12030, 57.12002, 57.12041, 75.512, 75.520, 77.502, 

and 77.507. 

Internet Availability

The PIB may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA’s home page at 

http://www.MSHA.gov and then choosing ‘Compliance Information’ under 

Compliance Assistance, and then ‘Program Information Bulletins.’ 

Who are the MSHA contact persons for this PIB?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Electrical Division 

Salwa El-Bassioni, (202) 693-9525 

E-mail: el-bassioni.salwa@dol.gov 

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 

Bill Wilson, (202) 693-9643 

E-mail: wilson.william W@dol.gov 

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center 

Lynn M. Huggins, (304) 547-2073 

E-mail: huggins.lynn@dol.gov 

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders 

Miners’ Representatives 

Mine Operators 

Independent Contractors 

Mine Equipment Repair and Rebuild Shops