Fake / counterfeit capacitors are getting better

[badhat]

Re: Fake / counterfeit capacitors are getting better

I've checked all my cap stocks, PC boards and power supplies for Nichicons. All date codes I found (1998 - 2013) begin with "H". The "B" and the copper color make me believe my capacitors are not genuine.

I'll try to get a 100 kHz generator and an oscilloscope to make some measurements tonight. Any hints on how to measure ESR without an ESR meter?

[Behemot]

Re: Fake / counterfeit capacitors are getting better

Just one thing though, yopu may not find anything suspicious. Chinese makers CAN do low and ultra-low ESR caps. The problem is they can withstand much less than japanese caps and tend to fail VERY quickly in harsh environment. But as new, they may have good parameters.

In other words, they may have just good capacity and ESR readings but you have no idea what it makes in week, month, year…

[badhat]

Re: Fake / counterfeit capacitors are getting better

I thought the date codes on Nichicon caps (at least for HM, HN, and HZ) only begin with "H", not "B". Or am I missing something?

Audjade told me

"A" and "H" is used for Nichicons Japan plant
"B" is Malaysia.
"C" maybe China

I checked the color with Nichicon. They confirmed the "B" code and the copper color print for Malaysia.

A strange thing happened with my "H" code Nichicons. I realized that after passing so many times through my hands the golden print had turned into copper too.
(I wish it were the other way and my hands could turn copper into gold instead :-) )

I'm glad my Nichicons are ok. Thanks for your comments.

Best regards,
badhat