An attempt to save money on the purchase of modular automation often leads to the installation of a counterfeit that will not turn off the network when short circuit and can cause a fire in the switchboard. Visual inspection of buildings of famous brands, such as ABBIt reveals the characteristic signs of counterfeiting: poor-quality plastic, blurred marking and the absence of protective holograms. Checking the serial number on the official manufacturer’s portal is the only reliable way to verify the authenticity of the device before installing it.
The market of electrical equipment is saturated with replicas, which are almost indistinguishable from the original products of the series. System pro M compact. The difference lies in the details: the weight of the product, the clarity of the casting of plastic and the quality of the logo printing. Use of fake switch-off It compromises the safety of all electrical wiring, as their claimed characteristics (e.g., disabling ability) often do not match reality.
Visual diagnostics of the body and marking
The initial inspection of the device should begin with an assessment of the quality of the logo and inscriptions. On original products ABB The brand is applied by laser engraving or high-quality printing, which does not erase even with intense friction with a finger or solvent. Counterfeits often have a sticker or paint that can be lubricated, have an uneven layer thickness, or be easily brushed with a nail.
Pay attention to the color and texture of the plastic. The original case of modular automation is made of heat-resistant, non-combustion-supporting plastic with a matte or slightly rough surface. Falsifications are often made of glossy, cheap plastic, which may have a yellowish tint or visible traces of the garment (burrs) at the junctions of the halves of the body. A critically important parameter is the absence of gaps between the front panel and the main body.
The marking of technical characteristics should be clear, with well-readable symbols. Forgeries often have errors in the spelling of units of measurement (for example, "Ka" instead of "kA" or the absence of spaces between numbers and letters). It is also worth checking the presence of a mark of conformity with standards, such as: CE or IECwhich may be distorted or absent from counterfeiting.
- 🔍 The ABB logo should be perfectly smooth, without spreading paint and with clear boundaries of letters.
- 🛡️ The surface of the plastic of the original is matte, without glossy shine and visible casting defects.
- 📏 The dimensions of the product must strictly comply with standard modular dimensions (multiple 17.5 mm).
⚠️ Note: If you find that the switching lever has a backlash or walks too easily, this may indicate a violation of the internal geometry of the mechanism, which is characteristic of cheap copies.
Checking holograms and protective elements
Modern products ABB It is equipped with a multi-stage system of protection against counterfeits, including special holographic stickers. On the front panel or side of the original machine should be a hologram with the company logo, which changes color or image when the angle of view changes. The absence of such an element or its staticity (a simple shiny sticker) is a sure sign of counterfeiting.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of printing the barcode and QR code, which are located on the side or bottom of the case. In the original, the barcode lines are always clear, do not merge and have a contrasting black color on a white background. Scanning a QR code with a smartphone should redirect the user to the manufacturer’s official website or product information page, rather than to suspicious resources or give an error.
Some series of devices have additional security elements, such as microtext or hidden images, visible only from a certain angle or using a magnifier. Counterfeiters rarely reproduce these complex elements due to the high cost of the equipment to apply them. Checking the integrity of the sealing ears is also important: on the original they are made carefully, without traces of rough processing.
Secrets of holograms
The hologram on the original ABB product has a multilayered structure. When tilted, the image of the logo smoothly flows into a geometric pattern, and the background changes the shade from silver to golden. Forgeries, the most common use is simple foil with a static image, glued over plastic.
- 🌈 The hologram should dynamically change the image or color when the product is turned in the hands.
- 📱 The QR code must be read by the smartphone’s camera and lead to the domain abb.com or its regional subdomains.
- 🔒 The sealing holes shall have smooth edges and the correct geometric shape.
Analysis of weight and tactile sensations
The weight of the electromechanical device is one of the most objective indicators of its quality, since it directly depends on the amount of copper used in the coils and contact group. Original machines ABB series S200 or SH200 They have a strictly defined weight, which can be found in the technical catalog. Counterfeit products often weigh significantly less due to the use of aluminum instead of copper or reduced cross-section of conductors.
Tactile sensations when switching the lever also play an important role in diagnosis. The mechanism of the original switch works with a characteristic, confident click, and the lever itself has an optimal stroke force. In counterfeit products, switching can be too soft, “cotton” or, conversely, excessively tight, with jamming. This indicates low build quality and the use of cheap lubricants or their absence.
Feel the contact surface (if you can peek inside or open it, although this is rare for new devices). The copper contacts of the original have a noble reddish-golden hue and a smooth surface. If contacts are visible and they look dull, darken or have a porous structure, this is a sign of using a low copper alloy or a coating that mimics copper.
The weight of the original ABB S201 is usually about 90-100 grams. If the device in your hand seems suspiciously light (less than 70 grams), it’s almost guaranteed to be a fake aluminum winding.
⚠️ Note: Do not rely on the weight of one device alone, as different series may have different masses. Compare the weight of a suspicious machine with a deliberately original product of the same series and denomination.
Verification through the official website and bar code
The most reliable way to distinguish a counterfeit ABB is through digital verification through a traceability system. Each original product has a unique identification code (often in the form of a Data Matrix or barcode) that allows you to track the path of the device from the factory to the end user. Enter this code in the appropriate field on the manufacturer's official website in the authentication section.
The system will give information about the specific model, the date of production and the batch. If the code is not readable, the system reports an error or gives information about another product – you have a fake. It is also worth checking whether the production date indicated on the case (usually in the form of a code of letters and numbers) corresponds to the data obtained online. Date coding y ABB It is standardized and its decoding is not difficult.
If the seller refuses to provide a photo of the code or claims that the site is not working, this is an excuse to refuse to buy.
| Verification parameter | Original ABB | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| Barcode / Data Matrix | Clear, read the first time, leads to the ABB website | Blurred, not read, or leads to a blank page |
| Weight of the device (1 pole) | ~90-100g (depending on series) | Much lighter (60-70g) |
| Quality casting | Perfect, without stitches and burrs. | You can see joints, burrs, irregularities. |
| Leverage of inclusion | Clear click, fixed move. | Luft, soft stroke or jamming |
Technical tests and internal device
For professionals who have access to laboratory equipment or are willing to sacrifice a sample, destructive control techniques exist. The opening of the body shows the quality of the internal layout. In the original machines ABB an arc-extinguishing chamber with a set of copper plates, the number and thickness of which correspond to the declared disconnecting capacity. In counterfeits, plates can be made of iron or their number is significantly reduced.
The thermal disengagement test requires a current above the nominal but below the instantaneous activation threshold. The original machine must be disconnected within a strictly regulated time interval according to the time-current characteristic (for example, the characteristic "C"). The counterfeit may not shut down at all or work instantly, which violates the selectivity of protection.
Measuring contact resistance also provides important information. The original resistance of the transition contacts is minimal, which ensures a low voltage drop and no heating at nominal currents. High resistance in counterfeits leads to heating of the case and melting of the insulation of suitable wires, which is a direct fire hazard.
☑️ Checklist for quick check
- ⚡ The arc extinguishing chamber of the original contains a set of copper plates of the correct shape.
- 🌡️ The heat disengagement is triggered strictly in accordance with the time-current characteristic.
- 🔌 The contact group is made of electrical copper with minimal transition resistance.
Where to buy and how to avoid risks
The main source of counterfeiting on the market is unauthorized outlets and sites with questionable reputation. Purchase of electrical engineering ABB It should only be carried out at official distributors or in large specialty stores that provide certificates of conformity and warranty. The price of the original product cannot be significantly lower than the market average, so the excessively low cost is the first alarm bell.
When buying, be sure to require a check and a warranty card. The documents must contain the article and, preferably, the serial number of the lot. Official dealers value their reputation and will not take the risk of selling fakes, unlike small dealers who often are not responsible for the quality of the goods after the sale.
If you are buying equipment for a large facility, it makes sense to request certificates of origin from the supplier and conduct a sample examination before mounting the entire batch. This will avoid large-scale problems and the need to replace all installed automation in the event of a defect.
Expert advice: Keep checks and packaging from the equipment until the warranty period ends. Packaging often contains additional security features and information that may be needed during return or examination.
Can you use an ABB machine if it has passed by weight, but the code on the site does not break through?
Using such a device is not recommended. The absence of a code in the database may mean that it is either a fake, a device intended for another market (grey imports), or products with an expired shelf life / warranty. In any case, you lose the manufacturer’s warranty and confidence in its protective properties.
What is the difference between the S200 and SH200 series and does it affect authentication?
The S200 series is a professional lineup with increased shutdown capacity (up to 6 kA and above), and the SH200 is a household series (usually up to 4.5 kA). The principles of authentication (weight, holograms, codes) are the same for both series, but their weight and dimensions may differ slightly. It is important to compare a suspicious product with the standard of the same series.
What if the seller claims it is “original from a factory in China” but without the hologram?
This is a classic excuse from counterfeit sellers. ABB plants in China produce products to uniform global standards, and the absence of a protective hologram on modern products is impossible. Such purchase should be refused.
Is it worth buying ABB machines?
Buying used modular automation is a lottery. The resource of the mechanical part and contacts is limited by the number of operation cycles. In addition, in the used market, there is a very high probability of running into devices that have already worked in emergency modes or are fake. The savings in this case do not justify the risks to safety.