Web site fights electrical-product fakes
Electrical Contractor and TED magazines have launched CounterfeitsCanKill.com, a site dedicated to battle the threat of dangerous counterfeit electrical products.
By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 1/20/2009 9:22:00 AM
As worldwide economic conditions worsen, unscrupulous manufacturers are flooding the market with an increasing number of counterfeited electrical products. Because these fake wares haven’t been safety tested, they could seriously injure, even kill, consumers that unwittingly purchase them.
To thwart the counterfeiters, Electrical Contractor and TED magazines have launched CounterfeitsCanKill.com, a Web site that aims to educate about the dangers of buying and installing counterfeit electrical products, bringing the message to the attention of every stakeholder in the $130 billion electrical contracting industry. Manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and ultimately customers face risks ranging from liability to life safety to profitability.
“Counterfeiting is one of the biggest challenges facing the electrical industry, becoming more and more prevalent with today’s global economy,” said Tom Naber, NAED president and CEO. “We, as an industry—distributors, manufacturers, contractors, and electricians–must remain especially vigilant and aware of this danger.”
The site is endorsed by the National Association of Electrical Distributors, the National Electrical Contractors Assn., the National Electrical Manufacturers Assn., and Underwriters Laboratories. The site launch is part of the Anti-Counterfeit Products Initiative, which is supported by a number of electrical manufacturers and distributors.
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My electrical distributor tells me that counterfeit PPE is now being sold. PPE (especially arc flash PPE in my case as an arc flash awareness instructor) is the last line of defence for electrical workers. If that fails then lives of workers are lost or ruined and their families are usually left with a traumatic legacy. Manufacturing or knowingly selling counterfeit PPE (and other electrical products) resulting in death is, at the very least, manslaughter.
Let's not wait for that to happen before taking action.
Trevor Armstrong, P.Eng. - 1/22/2009 6:44:00 PM CST -
Lately I''ve seen a rash of lighting fixtures comming out of the big blue & orange stores which could not have received a UL label legally.
If attached to a standard 4" wall box the conductors hang out side against the wall. Also, electrical enclosures are made out of wood.
Maurice Turgeon - 1/22/2009 9:44:00 AM CST
Danger: counterfeit electrical products
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