PROTOFLEX Safety Notification
General Information
Cables of the type PROTOFLEX EMV which have been manufactured in a 2nd source production site in between 1996 and mid 1999 may have severe quality problems. However to our actual knowledge this quality problem has occurred in parts of the production lots only.
Possibly affected cables have been supplied via Siemens sales channels and particular wholesalers to customers worldwide in the time range from 1996 until approx. 2001. These types of cables are used specifically for power supply connections of electrical motors to frequency converters (variable speed drives) in industrial applications, e.g. crane or machine tool applications.
1. Which Siemens cables are affected and how many, and when were they manufactured?
We are talking about the entire type range of the
- PROTOFLEX EMV 4PLUS-UV series 2YSLCYK-J 600/1000V and
- PROTOFLEX EMV series 2YSLCY-J 600/1000V
cable series, which were procured from an external supplier between 1996 and mid-1999 and then built into industrial installations of Siemens customers.
2. Which type of products are involved and to what extent?
Generally, all kinds of industrial installations equipped with variable-speed drives may be affected, for example in the machine tool industry, in power generation, in power distribution switchgear, in industrial production, and in conveying and hoisting gear systems. Worldwide, Siemens is currently reviewing the technical details and the scope of possibly affected systems.
3. What is the worst-case scenario?
Due to possible omission of a metal deactivator in the polymer insulation of the phase conductors in these cables, they may age prematurely, therefore no longer meet prescribed functional and protection regulations. In the worst case, this could lead to direct short-circuits against which, however, technical protection is provided. Creepage currents can occur and may lead to smoldering or burning fires. There is the possibility that serious personal injury could occur.
4. How and when did Siemens come to know of the situation? Has any damage already occurred?
The relevance of the situation became clear to Siemens in October 2006 after the discovery of non-conforming cables in a European industrial plant. So far we have not heard of any injuries to people nor of any damage to property.
5. How many customers are affected in total? How many have already been identified?
We cannot specify the exact number of totally affected customers at the moment. To date we have identified around 15 customers. Siemens is checking the sales and marketing channels for the relevant period to ascertain whether more customers might have been supplied with imperfect products. For this reason the Siemens sales network worldwide has been instructed to immediately contact any customers who may be potentially affected in order to clarify the situation.
6. What measures are being taken?
As soon as Siemens learned of the cable situation, it immediately informed all known affected customers to date thereof, issued instructions on safety precautions to be taken and communicated measures for checking the installed cables. In the context of a duty to inform (prescribed by statute and commercial law), each customer we identify will be individually notified immediately. Appropriate corrective measures for each situation will be implemented.
7. Since when has Siemens been aware of this problem?
We have known about it since October 2006. We immediately took action to assertain the extent of the potential problem, find out which customers may be affected and inform them.
8. People's lives and health are at risk here. Why has Siemens not initiated a callback and informed the media if people's lives are endangered?
The circumstances require that the extent of the deliveries first be ascertained and affected customers informed and instructed how to identify the potentially problematic cables. Affected customers around the world will be specifically notified directly through our sales channels. For this reason, our worldwide sales network is currently busy contacting those customers who might have been supplied with the aforementioned cables during the time period in question. A public notification/recall campaign through relevant trade journals is being prepared.
9. Who answers for any possible injuries to people or damage to machinery?
The statutory regulations in the respective countries to which the cables concerned were delivered and the individual contractual provisions apply here. To our current knowledge, deliveries from the production period from 1996 to 1999 are no longer under prescribed or statutory warranty. Siemens is not therefore under any general warranty obligation to replace cables from the aforementioned delivery period. Nevertheless, we want to support affected customers by supplying replacement cables. Siemens regards this as its duty in maintaining quality standards towards its customers.
10. How high are the costs involved for Siemens to replace the cables?
We cannot say at the moment.
11. Who is going to bear the costs for plant downtimes and possible production stoppages for the customer?
The statutory regulations in the respective countries to which the cables concerned were delivered and the individual contractual provisions apply here.
- To our current knowledge, deliveries from the production period from 1996 to 1999 are no longer under prescribed or statutory warranty
- Compensation for downtimes and stoppages are customarily contractually excluded
However, Siemens wishes to support its customers and is nonetheless offering replacement of the cables affected.
12. Deliveries from which Siemens Groups are affected?
This is still subject to investigation. However, our present knowledge indicates Siemens Automation & Drives (A&D), Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S), Medical Solutions (Med), Power Generation (PG), Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD), Siemens Building Technologies (SBT) and Transportation Systems (TS) are affected.
13. Why have the quality controls of which Siemens is so proud potentially failed in this case?
One can never completely exclude the possibility that, despite tight-knit quality assurance measures, potential quality issues may become evident over time. Despite rigorous product observation by our quality assurance departments, the first visible irregularities have only appeared recently – due to the aging process of the cables, which depends on several factors – after around two years of operation.
14. Can it be assumed that the quality control measures in place for other Siemens products are also inadequate?
There are no gaps in our quality control, and we have reacted both quickly and suitably in the relevant cases
15. Do you think this case has already damaged Siemens’ image?
Non-conforming products always carry the risk of loss of image; however, we do not expect our image to be harmed by this case due to the open and prompt manner in which we have dealt with it. On the contrary, we hope that the measures proactively agreed with each and every customer will serve to consolidate their trust in Siemens