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Sharp Corporation of Australia has announced a voluntary product recall on all 42-inch models of its LCD TVs.
The precautionary measure is being taken after the discovery that in these TVs, there is a chance that a small piece of foam shielding could dislodge from its mounting and make contact with the power board. This could in turn cause overheating and/or create a live voltage on the frame of the unit, with risk of electrical shock.
The recall affects units sold in Australia between 1 February and 27 May, 2007, specifically three model numbers LC42BX5X, LC42GD7X and LC42PD7X with serial numbers commencing 610700001 to 705799999 inclusive.
The model and serial number can be found printed on an identification plate at the rear of the unit. If there is a green dot on the identification plate, Sharp says that the 42-inch LCD TV has already been inspected and corrected, so there is no need for further action.
If you own a 42-inch LCD TV subject to the recall, Sharp will fix the issue in your home free-of-charge. To register with the Sharp Approved Service Centre nearest you, check the Web site or call 1800 333 435 between 7am and 7pm.
UPDATE June 1, 2007: CNET.com.au has had a conversation with Denis Kerr, Deputy Managing Director, Sharp Corporation of Australia, and can now reveal more detail regarding the state of the company’s recall of its 42-inch LCD TVs.
- The total number of recalled units across Australia and New Zealand is 2500. Of that number, approximately half have been recovered from retailers’ stock, leaving the total number of consumers affected in the neighbourhood of 1200-1300.
- The green dot system on the identification plates of the recalled models, which denotes that the unit has been inspected and fixed, applies to stock that was “frozen” in the Sharp warehouse at the time of recall. Therefore, fixed models with green dots have only been available for sale post the recall announcement on May 26.
Kerr reiterated that the problem was identified through internal company testing and that no incidents of damage of any kind have been reported by consumers. The voluntary recall relates to a small piece of conductive foam that the company believes could have slipped its double-sided adhesive tape mounting to damage the circuit board. Australia and New Zealand are the only countries that require this foam protection in the EMC area of the television and the fix involves replacing it with a more secure casing.
