Today's FPE- Fake Circuit Breakers

[mbrooke]

Don't think there is much of a proliferation in the US (yet) but they are out there and sadly still being manufactured. Fake circuit breakers, some which are even counterfeit brands marked with forged NRTL labels. No coil, no bi-metal, no arc quench, and no legit (weld resistant) contacts. Just a switch with a snap action toggle. This video shows the insides in question perfectly:

 

[romex jockey]

@ 1:50 MBrooke

~RJ~

 

[mbrooke]

@ 1:50 MBrooke

~RJ~

Coming to an Amazon listing near you

 

[infinity]

Is that actually supposed to be a circuit breaker or is it simply a molded case switch?

 

[mbrooke]

Is that actually supposed to be a circuit breaker or is it simply a molded case switch?

Its labelled as an actual circuit breaker on the front. Not as a molded case switch.

 

[gadfly56]

Don't think there is much of a proliferation in the US (yet) but they are out there and sadly still being manufactured. Fake circuit breakers, some which are even counterfeit brands marked with forged NRTL labels. No coil, no bi-metal, no arc quench, and no legit (weld resistant) contacts. Just a switch with a snap action toggle. This video shows the insides in question perfectly:

There's a manufacturer out there in desperate need of an appointment with a firing squad. Or drawing and quartering; much more appropriate.

 

[electrofelon]

Let me guess, China?

 

[mbrooke]

Let me guess, China?

Most likely. I've ordered Chinese breakers off Amazon just for the fun of it. Every single one of them has some major flaw ie several of them had a coil for short circuits but no bi-metal for overloads. Contact separation that was unlikely to break 10ka. Dissimilar metals touching. Copper braid over the trip mechanism essentially shorting it out. One of them was a convoluted switch mech with a glass fuse in series. At least they tried...

 

[infinity]

Its labelled as an actual circuit breaker on the front. Not as a molded case switch.

I looked but I didn't see a circuit breaker ampacity rating. Maybe I missed it.

 

[K8MHZ]

I looked but I didn't see a circuit breaker ampacity rating. Maybe I missed it.

C6 means 6 amp

 

[mbrooke]

I looked but I didn't see a circuit breaker ampacity rating. Maybe I missed it.

C6 Plus the IEC symbols for thermal overload+ short circuit protection.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It is rare to find these counterfeit devices when you purchase from a reputable source.

They are typically only found on "grey market" sites...that is unofficial distribution sites.

 

[LarryFine]

If the name isn't "Stil-ON" it should be.

 

[K8MHZ]

It is rare to find these counterfeit devices when you purchase from a reputable source.

In the beginning of the video it is said that it came out of a generator.

 

[mikeames]

Now they will catch on that they "felt light" and start putting a weight in them. WOW people who do this have no conscience.

 

[jmellc]

Hunt used to have these for FPE & Zinsco. I had thought they were legit, or as legit as nything for these brands could be. They were better than the originals. I used a few when customer wouldn’t replace panel.

 

[garbo]

Most likely. I've ordered Chinese breakers off Amazon just for the fun of it. Every single one of them has some major flaw ie several of them had a coil for short circuits but no bi-metal for overloads. Contact separation that was unlikely to break 10ka. Dissimilar metals touching. Copper braid over the trip mechanism essentially shorting it out. One of them was a convoluted switch mech with a glass fuse in series. At least they tried...

Never purchade or use ANY electrical equipment, test equipment, Safety equipment or tools from lying cheating lack of quality control china.