COSTLY COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS: BOON OR BANE?

Why are counterfeits problematic?

The availability of counterfeits or first-copies is protruding in almost every industry. In recent times, these forged parts have proved to be more of a liability than an asset. When the idea of imitating first came up, it was because there was a need to manufacture inexpensive components. But looking at the present scenario, these elements not only affect the product operation and performance but can also be a safety concern for its users. Furthermore, they pose business threats to Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Presently, electronic items have become an obligatory fragment of our day to day lives; they have turned out to be a necessity rather than a luxury. From a Television remote to an electric screwdriver, all imaginable pieces of equipment make use of components that can be mimicked.

It is impossible to imagine even an hour without these inventions. Henceforth, eliminating them from our lifestyles is not a choice.

Why is it a grinding job to distinguish between the fake and the real?

Ensuring the quality of the products calls for systematic checks by skilled professionals. Most bogus parts are misrepresented by its sellers and distributors who sell these at premium rates.

On the one hand, the discarded components are reintroduced into supply chains as the new ones, and on the other, even the certified makers produce such inferior-quality products along with the genuine ones.

What are the associated health concerns?

Utilization of counterfeits can be hazardous to your health; it may cause physical injury and inflict pain. The ensemble, if it contains any of these parts, has a higher probability of malfunction. Since these violate safety standards, the impact of their usage is never well-determined. If the area of application is personal use, it can cause the breakdown of the handset where the loss incurred is monetary but imagine using these in medical experiments and surgeries- one wrong reading can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and the repercussion could be loss of life.

Other Losses- Inefficient fulfillment generates unaccountable expenses and dwindling company reputation due to low yields.

How to identify if the components you bought are reliable?

Visual Examination helps, but it does not guarantee the authenticity of a component. Sometimes, X-ray inspections and other technologically advanced techniques are required to successfully determine an electronic part to be up to the mark.

As a buyer of these components, always make sure you look for the indents on these parts. In most cases, the fake parts have non-uniform and roughly added indents, whereas the real ones are smooth since the parts were indented at the time of molding itself.

A solvent test can also be used for establishing the credibility of these parts. In addition to this, thickness and size tests can also prove whether a part is faulty or not. Another trending practice involves using an electronic workbench for simulation and analyzation & detection purposes.

In the end, one needs to narrow down his buying options and purchase components only from testified manufacturers. And do not forget to ask for an invoice for your product!