Electronic component counterfeit parts an increasing problem

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Electronic component counterfeit parts an increasing problem

Counterfeit Parts an Increasing Problem in Every Industry

Ensure that supplier test facilities are certified

By Jackie Schwab, Honest Components President

Counterfeit parts have become an increasing problem in every industry using electronic components including commercial, industrial, automotive, military/aerospace and aerospace.

It has become more and more difficult to know their true origin. Counterfeit parts can be highly sophisticated and often pass external and internal visual testing, marking permanency and even pin correlation/electrical testing. The military estimates that up to 15 percent of all spare and replacement parts for its weapons, vehicles and other equipment are counterfeit, making them vulnerable to dangerous malfunctions. A high number of components can be easily replicated or modified which leads to the need for even more sophisticated testing in order to detect counterfeits.

Due to the quality and sophistication of many of today’s counterfeit parts, they can often pass such inspection protocols as external and internal visual, dimensional check, marking permanency and even electrical testing. Because such components can be easily cloned or altered, more sophisticated testing to detect counterfeit components is necessary.

There are distributors with their own test lab claiming that their capabilities are reliable enough to avoid counterfeit material to pass through. They may also be ISO9001 and AS9120 certified, which adds to the assuredness that their counterfeit mitigation is in place and followed through. But it’s important to make sure they are not just capable but are CERTIFIED to AS6081 test methods including FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL TESTING.

To address this conflict of interest, there is only one ethical option—independent 3rd party test labs. If your current distributor will not allow an independent 3rd party lab to test the parts, BUYER BEWARE.