SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20210111-A99B3-2147366572. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Honeywell CT410B1017 (Honeywell Non-Programable Baseboard Thermostat, model number CT410B1017). Incident: I had a Honeywell Non Programmable electric baseboard thermostat installed in my garage/workshop, model CT410B1017, that was approximately 2 years old. The thermostat controlled 2 electric baseboard heaters at a total of 3500 watts. This thermostat is rated for up to 5280 watts. The thermostat was shut off. When I went in my garage/work shop the next day it was apparent that the thermostat was in an uncontrolled heating mode. The temperature in the garage was well in excess of 80 degrees. The thermostat was no longer functioning. I shut off the circuit breaker that controlled the two heaters . The heaters were 240 volts and 8 feet and 6 feet in length with a total approximate amp draw of approximately 17 watts. The circuit breaker was a Square D 20 Amp breaker. I removed the thermostat from the junction box for replacement. When I removed the unit I discover that the wiring had burned and melted. One of the wire nuts had completed melted, exposing the spring from the wire nut that was still securing the wiring connection. The wiring that was installed was rated for 240 watt service. On this wall, the covering for my workshop was MDF plywood. This defective product could have ignited this flammable wall covering, causing a very fast burning fire. I notified Honeywell of this incident. Case number [REDACTED] I took photographs and still have in my possession the defective thermostat.