Complain about a product or service

Power Sentry

Roberta of Joshua Tree, CA December 28, 2005

I have had a pretty bad experience with with a Power Sentry Office Workstation Surge Protector. We had a power surge and the surge protector caught on fire. I am very thankful that we were home. I was in the next room - heard my computer make a terrible noise and then smelled the most awful burning smell. I rushed into the office and yanked the Power Sentry plug from the wall and put out the fire that had started in the carpeting beneath my desk.

We had an electrician check things out to make sure the wiring in the room was okay. He said the problem was not the wiring. It does not appear that my computer was damaged so the surge protector appears to have shut things down BUT I don't believe surge protectors are supposed to catch fire after they do their job!

I purchased this one at Walmart only a short while (approximately two weeks) before this occurred. It is called Office Workstation Surge Protector 3320 v3, the box claims the product has V3 Advanced Surge Technology which uses advanced surge protection components which have more surge absorption capacity and superior heat dissipation. I have contacted Power Sentry (a division of Fiskars) numerous times because I felt it was important that they know there could be a serious problem with this product. The contact person was a Wendy Collins. I left messages for her twice with no return call from her and then actually managed to speak to her in person after I called and spoke to the operator at Power Sentry who tracked her down and got her on the phone.

I explained to her that we weren't trying to recover any costs but that we were concerned about what might have happened had we not been in the house when this occurred. I often leave my computer on all day. Since we are on dial up I don't leave it connected to the internet but I generally leave it in sleep mode. I explained to her that the carpet had actually ignited after the surge protector caught on fire and that if there were others out there with the same problem that someone's home could burn down and/or someone could lose their life in a fire.

She gave me the usual corporate disclaimer that they were only responsible for repairing or replacing the product. I explained to her if that was my only concern then I would just return to item to Walmart and get a refund because I did not want a replacement unless someone from their company could assure me this would not happen again. She said she was sending a return address label with postage so they could test the surge protector and find out why this had occurred.

It is no surprise to me that I never received the return slip from her since she has been totally lax about returning calls, etc. It has now been almost two months since I last spoke with her and since nothing has happened I figure the best thing to do is to warn my friends in case they own one of these surge protectors or in case they need to purchase a surge protector. I have been advised to contact you as well. I have photographs of this product taken after it burned. I have also completed a complaint form with Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Viv of Norcross, GA June 4, 2004

Bought Power Sentry Surge Protector from Home Depot. It has completely damaged my Laptop and I also lost valuable data. Total Loss of 25,000. When bought- it had protection upto 100,000 as warranty from this company. I am looking for contact information of thic company to file a claim.

Alexis of Twin Falls, IDAHO August 9, 2003

I purchased several surge protectors in December of 2002 at the local Home Depot in Twin Falls. On the front it simply says Power Sentry, information found on back is: 12/01 E128811 / listed power tap / 31F8 / also listed as TVSS

On July 27, 2003, one of the surge protectors caught on fire. Flames were coming from one of the plug in receptecales. Luckly we were home at the time. No major damage was done.

I called the local fire department on 7/31/03. They sent out 3 firemen to do an on site report. I will obtain the report this week. In our conversation, one of the fireman stated he had purchased the exact item and at Christmas time when his lights for the tree were plugged into it, the surge protector did not trip off, rather the breaker was tripped. I have also spoken with another friend, she had one do a melt down.

I would like to know of the surge protectors have been recalled, and if not, they should be checked out further. I do have more throughtout my house, which I will be taking back to Home Depot for replacements with another brand.

Anna of Ingram , TX June 8, 2009

I purchased several Power Sentry surge protectors from Walmart to protect house hold Electronics. During a recent lightning storm the surge protector that I had plugged into a grounded (according to electrician) perfectly electrically wired outlet, didn't work. I had a very nice TV and VCR plugged into this protector, both were burned out and no longer even turn on.

So, I tried calling the number on the Power Sentry box to tell them because the Office Workstation Box says this device has 300,000 equipment warranty. So, I've dialed the number over 900 times and all I ever get is a busy signal. At this point, finally, I think 'something is very fishy here'. So, I looked up Power Sentry on line and found lots of horror stories and complaints.

I have now called Walmart where I purchased the Power Sentry and alerted them to the possibility that these devices are defective and maybe the cause of house fires and destroying electronic equipment. I'm out 500 at least for the cost of my tv and vcr and the cost of the surge protectors unless I can get some satisfaction from Walmart or Power Sentry...but I can't even get them on the phone.

Philip of Independence, KS April 17, 2009

In December of 2008 my wife and I purchased a surge protector/power strip for our new computer. About 4 and a half months later on Easter Sunday, our home caught fire and was a total loss. The insurance company's electical engineer found that the 4 and a half month old power strip had started the fire. My wife, my 7 year old son and I where able to get out of the house, but we have lost everything we owned.

The insurance company has indicated they will be speaking with walmart and power sentry about the fire. They have also advised me to go after them myself for product liability.

Loss of payed for home, loss of almost all physical posessions. Loss of my wifes ability to go to school online ( she attands online university ) loss of sleep. Bad dreams and waking up every hour or so scared there's a fire.

Sonnier of Saratoga, TX November 24, 2007

Twice, within the past two years, I have lost expensive equipment that was plugged into a Power Sentry Surge Protector, Model number RS6, inspection 01/99 E128811. Less than two years ago lightening struck and the protector did not kick off, frying my expensive PA system. Thursday, Nov. 22nd, lightening struck again, frying my new laptop and new fax/copier/printer and again the protector did not kick off. My homeowners pays very little on such items. I firmly believe this company should be held completely responsible and reimburse people like myself for the equipment lost.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.