Fake parts headache

[dick_barton]

I read in quite a few of the requests for help on plasma sets, the concerns over hard to tell fake replacement parts and the damage they do when fitted and blowing the circuit boards. Because these parts are no longer available from the original suppliers the Internet appears to be the only place to find them.

Many members have through trial and error found suitable substitute replacements still currently available through official supplier.

Would it be an idea to have a thread giving the suggested replacement parts for hard to get components.

Just a thought

[chrismurphy]

Re: Fake Semiconductor headache

Don't know if fakes really exist , it may be not be the replacement part but other faults causing them to blow. If you are worried about fakes buy from company's the have their name to protect , RS components , Element14 , digiparts etc
If from eBay but the dearer ones
Have purchased many Fets ,IGBT without any problems
It the part is no longer made then maybe just maybe they would go to the extremes to remove markings and re mark , so if hard to get look for a current replacement

[dick_barton]

Re: Fake parts headache

I don't repair plasma's because they don't sell well where I live so I don't suffer the problem. My comments was specific to the number of threads where purchase parts from Ebay either as individual parts or repair kits turn out to be fakes and can cause more damage than you started with. Not all the parts needed for a repair are still in production.

[chrismurphy]

Re: Fake parts headache

look here
http://www.aeri.com/counterfeit-elec...ent-detection/

[Moreno83]

Re: Fake parts headache

Fake parts are giving me a big headache. I only repair plasma tv's because people in the Netherlands actually search for particular models like the 50VT30/VT50 etc.

When i first started i learned it the hard way with bad 30F131 /RJP30H2A / RJP63G4 and fake FGD4536TM.
It took a long time before someone mentioned there were fake parts on ebay/ali. I then started buying them from mouser but they are not available anymore. Should have bought more....
You can identify them with isopropanol , clean the logo. Is it vague or almost gone it is probably fake. Original part the logo will get very clear. also most parts have small holes.

I bought a defective plasma this week that came from a repair shop where they also used fake parts. The board is still not working with every fet/diode replaced with original parts that is how much damage fake parts do. With every repair i now cover my ears from the bangs..

[JohnCT]

Re: Fake Semiconductor headache

Don't know if fakes really exist , it may be not be the replacement part but other faults causing them to blow.

Fakes most certainly exist.

Back in the 80s were wondered why audio amplifiers would blow up days after being repaired and properly biased. I can't tell you how many LA series deflection ICs, STK power regulators, Motorola and Toshiba audio outputs, Hitachi horiz outputs etc failed soon after installation. Once we figured out it wasn't us or the customer abusing our repaired items, we knew it was the parts.

You can find many post-mortem photos of semiconductors that are phonies on the web. Back in the 80s, we had to sort this out for ourselves.

The only trusted suppliers I know of are DigiKey, Mouser, and a company called B&D. Other than that, I would rather trust a pulled semiconductor from a scrapped board than trust anything from ebay, Alibaba, aliexpress, etc.

John

[petehall347]

Re: Fake parts headache

first thing to do is look at the writing etc . then weigh the component on accurate weighing scales .fakes often weigh differently . if you are really concerned build a test circuit or simply dont buy .

[llonen]

Re: Fake parts headache

Looks like a very useful article, many thanks for the information. As to plasma tv's I rarely get many come into the workshop now thankfully, they are getting rather rare around my area not that I miss them. Don't ever recall ever having problems with counterfeit parts though, maybe I just got lucky, it was my intention to construct a test circuit and if the plasma scene ever has a revival around my repair catchment area then maybe I will.