WA’s electrical and product safety regulators are alerting consumers about a national recall of some LG-branded home energy storage batteries, which may overheat and ignite.
Building & Energy and Consumer Protection are urging owners of LG, SolaX or Opal solar energy storage systems to check if their battery is one of the recalled models listed and pictured at lgessbattery.com/au.
An estimated 450 of the recalled batteries may have been installed at WA homes, either supplied individually as replacements or as part of systems with other brand names. Nationally, around 6,400 recalled batteries have not been replaced, prompting concerns that owners may be unaware of the recall and fire risks.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), since October 2019 the potentially dangerous batteries have been linked to nine fires in Australia and five in the USA, causing property damage and injuries to two people.
WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said owners of affected batteries should immediately switch them off and contact LG or SolaX to arrange a free replacement.
“Battery fires can be extremely dangerous and difficult to extinguish due to the stored energy,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“Please ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when turning off your energy storage system. Do not attempt to open the unit or touch any electrical components yourself. If you need assistance, contact the electrician who installed the battery.
“Licensed electrical contractors who have installed or worked on systems with affected batteries are also encouraged to proactively contact these clients about the recall.”
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Gary Newcombe urges the owners of these batteries to act quickly.
“Product recalls are sometimes met with apathy, but this is not the time to hesitate or delay,” Mr Newcombe said.
“Immediate action needs to be taken before the fire risk results in damage to your home or potentially an injury or death.
“I urge owners of LG solar batteries in their home to check the model numbers on their units and treat this issue with the utmost urgency.”
The recalled batteries were available for sale at various times between April 2017 and December 2019. The affected models are RESU3.3, RESU6.5, RESU10, RESU13, RESU7H Type-R, RESU10H Type-C, RESU10H Type-R, RESU10H Type-R (Secondary), S/A Gen2 1P (EM048063P3S4) and S/A Gen2 2P (EM048126P3S7).
For more information and images of the affected batteries, see the LG and SolaX recall notices at the ACCC’s Product Safety Australia website (productsafety.gov.au/recalls) or contact LG Energy Solution Australia at 1300 677 273 or productau@lgensol.com or SolaX Power (for SolaX or Opal systems) at 1300 476 529 or service@solaxpower.com.
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Media contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@demirs.wa.gov.au
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