August 21, 2026 — A recent incident report details a serious electrical short circuit in a Project Source Danville Touchless Elongated Toilet, leading to rapid overheating and melting of internal plastic components. The incident, which occurred during normal operation, raises significant concerns about potential thermal and fire hazards in residential settings.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On August 4, 2026, a household reported a severe electrical short circuit within their Project Source Danville Touchless Elongated Toilet (Model Number MT-20206TB). The malfunction specifically occurred in the internal low-voltage wire harness, which connects the touchless dual-flush sensor module to the AA battery power compartment.
During normal use, the wiring rapidly overheated, generating enough localized thermal energy to melt the adjacent plastic structural housing inside the toilet tank. The homeowner discovered the issue and immediately removed the batteries from the compartment, effectively cutting the electrical current and stopping the thermal melting. No physical injuries were sustained, but the electronic system of the toilet has been permanently disabled due to the incident. The specific components involved in the failure were identified as the proprietary touchless sensor module wiring harness and its electronic battery pack housing assembly.
Safety Concerns
The reported electrical short and subsequent melting of plastic components in a Project Source Danville Touchless Toilet present several critical safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The rapid generation of high heat from an electrical short circuit poses an immediate risk of thermal burns if touched. More critically, the melting plastic indicates a significant fire hazard. Had the homeowner not been present to intervene, the overheating plastic could have ignited, potentially leading to a residential fire.
- Long-Term Risks: If such a short circuit were to occur in an unmonitored environment, such as when residents are away from home or asleep, the risk of a full-scale house fire is substantial. Fires originating from electrical malfunctions can spread rapidly, causing extensive property damage and posing a severe threat to life.
- Who Might Be Affected: All members of a household where this product is installed are at risk. In the event of a fire, the risk extends to neighbors and emergency responders. The elderly, children, and individuals with mobility impairments may have increased difficulty evacuating quickly.
- Property Damage Potential: An electrical fire originating in a bathroom fixture can quickly spread throughout a home, causing significant structural damage, smoke damage, and destruction of personal property. The water supply to toilets could also complicate firefighting efforts or lead to additional water damage if components burst due due to heat.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Project Source Danville Touchless Elongated Toilet (Model Number: MT-20206TB / Lowe’s Item Number: 5039802) should take the following steps:
- Immediate Action: If you notice any unusual smells (like burning plastic), smoke, or excessive heat emanating from your touchless toilet, immediately remove the batteries from the power compartment to disconnect the electrical current. If safely possible, also disconnect the toilet from its power source if it uses a wall adapter (though this model appears battery-powered).
- Identify Your Product: Check the model number of your Project Source Danville toilet, typically located on a label inside the tank or on the product’s documentation. The affected model number is MT-20206TB.
- Prevention Measures: Until further guidance is provided by the manufacturer or regulatory bodies, consider disabling the touchless feature by removing the batteries from the sensor module. Regular inspection of the toilet tank for any signs of discoloration, melting plastic, or unusual wiring conditions is advisable. Do not ignore strange noises or odors from electronic components.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or have concerns about your product, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.saferproducts.gov. This helps authorities track incidents and assess the need for further action.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.