Counterfeit and copy C45N miniature circuit breakers
Any company has a moral and legal obligation under the HSE and new Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide act (6th April 2008) to take all necessary steps to inform the industry when a potentially fake and dangerous product is brought to their attention. They must also take actions to track down the suppliers of these and the channel through which they are being supplied.
It has come to our notice that a very dangerous and fake copy of the C45N Mcb has been found in another part of the European community.
This copy has no internal workings, which would operate the device in the event of a fault occurring in the circuit that it is supposed to protect. This could have dire consequences for the user and lead to the suppliers and installer facing legal action.
Even though this device has been found in another country they may have found their way into the UK distribution market through non-approved channels and could already be installed. The fake device has similar markings to the C45N Mcb, however we have not supplied this into the UK market since 1991 and any product like it, which is in the marketplace, is either a copy, counterfeit or worse still a complete fake.
What to look for:
Since the copy has very few internal components it is much lighter (a genuine product is between 103 and 110 grams) than the genuine Mcb also the fake is made of plastic which is brittle and light cream in colour not light grey. A large multi9 logo is at the top of the product. There is large CE marking on the front face which the genuine product did not have since it was discontinued in the UK before CE marking was a requirement.
What actions are we taking:
We have informed the HSE who have circulated the information throughout the industry and we will be putting articles concerning copy and fake products in the trade press shortly.
BEAMA the industry trade association have also produced a leaflet highlighting counterfeit wiring accessories and circuit protection products in the industry, this will be available very shortly and will be publicised with Contractors, end users and Electrical Wholesalers.
For further information contact:
Paul Canning - Techno/Commercial Manager: 01952 209027
or email: paul.canning@gb.schneider-electric.com
Tom France - Marketing Manger FLV products: 01952 209179
or email: tom.france@gb.schneider-electric.com
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