Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 976 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Fake Circuit Breakers

Alasdair Anderson
Big Clive on YouTube (not our Ancient Mariner) has released a video taking apart a fake Type C circuit breaker which is worth a look, but it is rather worrying what could be out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TJEzdqtXlQ

  • 0
    A different sort of 'bang test' is needed for these.

    OK, it is a bit lighter, but the con artists could easily fix that with some scrap metal.

    Do we need to add Xray to the tools of the EICR , as well as IR imaging ?

    Pity that the clear sided ones do not meet the glow wire test, or the containment during failure, they would be harder to fake.

    I wonder if they are now working on fake AFDDs that do not actually detect arcs ?

    If you ever want to test MCB function in the sense of is there any magnetic part at all, a car battery and jump  leads will get you a kA or two.


    821c523cfaddd5ba786ec57dd2252927-original-fake_breaker.png


    Mike
  • 0
    Morning All


    I have seen that type of breaker before. An exact copy of the makers carboard box containing exact copies of the external  appearance. The only way to tell the difference is to open them up or put them on a digital scale. One of the manufacturers told me that on one of their plastic molds there was a tiny cosmetic imperfection that appeared on the genuine MCBs, the makers of the fake items had even copied this defect.


    Where can I get one of the MCBs with a clear plastic casing for teaching purposes?
  • 0
    Thank you for posting this Alasdair. It's hard to believe that some twerp(s) has spent time and effort creating a dangerous item and getting it into the market. I think the answer to this is never to buy any electrical safety-related devices off the internet; use the local wholesalers only. Regards,

    Colin.
  • 0
    Where can I get one of the MCBs with a clear plastic casing for teaching purposes?

    Ideally you need to know someone who has an account on alibaba  though be aware that really a lot of companies are geared to wholesale and to be the importer personally has customs (and liability, though not so much in this case) implications. (warnings here)

    If you do this, let me know, as I might want to side along to reduce the postage for one or two as well.

    Mike.

  • 0


    If you ever want to test MCB function in the sense of is there any magnetic part at all, a car battery and jump  leads will get you a kA or two.


    821c523cfaddd5ba786ec57dd2252927-original-fake_breaker.png


    Mike


    Perhaps it's best to run a section of an an electric fire element in series to reduce the current a bit. I was told off when I admitted to using Wylex B6 M.C.B.s on my 12 Volt D.C. leisure battery boat electrics. A D.C. arc may well weld the contacts together or not be quenched by the arc extinguishers I was told.


    Z.


  • 0
    Alasdair Anderson:

    Big Clive on YouTube (not our Ancient Mariner) has released a video taking apart a fake Type C circuit breaker which is worth a look, but it is rather worrying what could be out there.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TJEzdqtXlQ

     


    I use the "gut feeling" method of approving or rejecting electrical switchgear and wiring accessories. It assumes that anything that looks "cheap," genuine or not, get rejected and I will not use it.  Next is the weight, operation and feel of the item.


    I have seen installed by others, plastic garage units with an R.C.D. and two M.C.B.s, Generally, after a year or two,  after installation the R.C.D. does not reliably trip off when the test button is depressed. The switch feels gritty, cheap and grotty. The whole thing just shouts CHEAP RUBBISH. I will not buy them or install them. They betray themselves by just looking cheap. They remind me of the cheap poor quality Italian electrical stuff of 30 to 40 years ago. Fixscrew stocks this type of rubbish.


    Z.


Community Rules & Guidelines