UL Solutions Warns of Potentially Hazardous Ethernet Cable

Rhea-AI Summary

UL Solutions has issued a warning about a potentially hazardous ethernet cable that may pose a fire risk. The affected product is a Category 6 Cable, 23AWG bare copper, 4 pairs, 550MHz, CM, 250 feet, white, sold under the Mediabridge brand. The cable does not comply with appropriate safety standards.

The surface print on the cable reads: MEDIABRIDGE E224831 (UL) CM 4 PAIR 23AWG CAT6 RATED 550MHZ. The product was sold in the United States and Canada through Amazon.com and possibly other e-commerce retailers. Only 106 units with UL serial numbers ranging from AF16296592 to AF16296698 are affected. UL Solutions recommends that this product be removed from service immediately.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Potential fire hazard in ethernet cable product
• Non-compliance with safety standards
• Recommendation to remove product from service
• product recall affecting 106 units

Insights

Product Safety Expert

This recall notification for Mediabridge Category 6 Ethernet cables is significant for both consumers and businesses. The potential fire hazard posed by non-compliant cables is a serious safety concern. 106 units are affected, sold through major e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

The specific identification details provided (model number, UL certification number, serial number range) allow for precise tracking and removal of affected products. This level of detail is important for effective recall management. The recommendation to remove the product from service indicates the severity of the risk.

For businesses and IT professionals, this highlights the importance of sourcing network infrastructure components from reputable suppliers and verifying safety certifications. The incident may lead to increased scrutiny of low-cost networking products sold online.

Network Infrastructure Specialist

The recall of these Category 6 Ethernet cables is a wake-up call for the networking industry. Cat6 cables are widely used in modern networks for their high-speed capabilities up to 10 Gbps. Non-compliant cables not only pose safety risks but can also lead to network performance issues and potential data integrity problems.

This incident underscores the need for stricter quality control in the cable manufacturing process and more rigorous testing before certification. It may prompt industry-wide reviews of cable safety standards and certification processes. For IT managers and network administrators, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining detailed inventories of network components and their certifications to facilitate quick identification and replacement in case of such recalls.

Consumer Electronics Analyst

This recall sheds light on the risks associated with the booming e-commerce market for electronics. The ease of selling products on platforms like Amazon has led to a proliferation of brands and increased competition, sometimes at the expense of quality and safety.

For consumers, this emphasizes the importance of purchasing from reputable brands and checking for proper certifications, even for seemingly simple products like Ethernet cables. The incident might lead to increased consumer awareness and demand for transparency in product safety certifications.

For Mediabridge and similar companies, this recall could have significant reputational and financial impacts. It may lead to stricter vetting processes by e-commerce platforms for electronics sellers, potentially raising barriers to entry in this market segment.

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The following is a notification from UL Solutions that the ethernet cable identified below may pose a potential fire hazard. The ethernet cable does not comply with the appropriate Safety Standards.

The following is a notification from UL Solutions that the ethernet cable identified below may pose a potential fire hazard. The ethernet cable does not comply with the appropriate Safety Standards. (Photo: Business Wire)

Name of Product: CATEGORY 6 CABLE, 23AWG BARE COPPER, BETWEEN 4 PAIRS, 550MHZ, CM, (250 FEET), WHITE

Remedy: UL Solutions recommends that this product be removed from service.

Identification on the Cable: The surface print on the cable states the following:
MEDIABRIDGE E224831 (UL) CM 4 PAIR 23AWG CAT6 RATED 550MHZ

Identification on the Box:
MEDIABRIDGE Premium Wiring Products
Model #: C6-250-WHI
Category 6 Cable
CM (IN WALL)

Additionally, the box bears a gold holographic UL label, the words ‘COMMUNICATIONS CABLE’ and a serial number (No. AFXXXXXXXX on the UL Label) as shown below:

COMMUNICATIONS CABLE
No. AFXXXXXXXX

Only those cable boxes with UL serial numbers ranging from AF16296592 - AF16296698 are affected by this notice (106 units).

Location: The products were sold in the United States and Canada through Amazon.com and possibly other e-commerce retailers.

About UL Solutions

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240830379563/en/

Susan Nadeau

UL Solutions

Susan.Nadeau@ul.com

Source: UL Solutions

FAQ

What is the specific ethernet cable product affected by UL Solutions' warning?

The affected product is a Category 6 Cable, 23AWG bare copper, 4 pairs, 550MHz, CM, 250 feet, white, sold under the Mediabridge brand with UL serial numbers ranging from AF16296592 to AF16296698.

Where were the potentially hazardous ethernet cables sold?

The affected ethernet cables were sold in the United States and Canada through Amazon.com and possibly other e-commerce retailers.

What is the recommended action for consumers who have purchased the affected ethernet cable?

UL Solutions recommends that consumers remove the affected ethernet cable from service immediately due to potential fire hazards.

How many units of the ethernet cable are affected by this UL Solutions warning?

A total of 106 units of the ethernet cable are affected by this warning, specifically those with UL serial numbers ranging from AF16296592 to AF16296698.