SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Electrical shock / short

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20170615-26529-2147399691. Matched catalog product: Hayward H400FDN. Incident: I have a 4 year old Hayward model H400FDN natural gas swimming pool heater, for an in-ground pool. I recently found the clear and painted power and temperature control plastic "lens" for the control panel, on the ground, having become unglued. The control panel has slots in it where rain can easily enter the circuit board, mounted directly beneath it, and connected to the electronic control buttons, causing the electronics to be exposed to water and creating a potential electrical shock hazard, as well as causing a short and failure of the circuit board. This is an incredibly poor design, and more importantly, a dangerous design, especially centered around a swimming pool, where barefoot bathers will come in contact with the electronic controls. In addition, a replacement for this is over $150. This could have easily been avoided had the design for the lens been large enough to be held in place by the surrounding bezel, which curiously has a foam gasket around it in an attempt to keep moisture out. I've emailed the company and the response was to merely purchase a replacement part at over $150 and they gave me retail pool dealers where I can purchase this part. Because of this poor design, and because of the potential of a shock hazard, I am contacting this office of The Consumer Product Safety Commission to look into the lack of safety inherent in this design.