Multi-Contact PV Magazine – Weeding Out the Counterfeits

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09 | 2011 | 78538

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SPECIAL EDITION 

PLUG CONNECTORS

Weeding out the counterfeits

Summary of content (6 pages)

PAGE 1
Photo: Conergy Photo: TSEC Corporation Photo: circle of bleu 09 | 2011 | 78538 Markets & Trends Industry & Suppliers Research & Development China: FITs have been announced. What we know and what it means for the solar giant. Page 16 Taiwan: Vertical integration and global strategy appear to be the keys to continued growth. Page 74 Module test: An ammonia test to certify modules for use in barns and agriculture.
PAGE 2
An empty booth. Exhibitors who deliberately offer counterfeits have to be aware that their presence at exhibitions could be over sooner than they anticipate. A dangerous connection Plug connectors: In the last few years, an increasing number of counterfeit plug connectors has appeared on the market. These counterfeits are not easy to recognize, but it pays off to be alert. The use of knock-offs can void the warranty and even cause a fire.
PAGE 3
For approximately six years, plug connector manufacturers have been faced with an increasing number of knock-off products. Solar expert Christian Keilholz has been following this trend. “Counterfeits and seemingly valid plug pairs are increasingly becoming a problem when it comes to photovoltaic plug connectors,” he confirms. He mentions that there are also counterfeit modules and substructures, but their occurrence is significantly lower.
PAGE 4
Photo: Multi-Contact who know the original well are better off. Consequently, a customer can become suspicious due to a different feel or visual appearance of a product, for example when the plastic feels different or the black color of the plastic is more matte or shinier than the original. Poor workmanship can also be an indication, such as sharp edges or routed corners.
PAGE 5
Consumers whose systems contain counterfeit or supposedly plug compatible connectors are entitled to the originals, as long as they were guaranteed in the sales contract. The installer has to take care of the exchange, which means that he has to pay for his trip to and from the customer, provide the materials, exchange the connectors, and compensate the customer for the loss in revenue. Neither Multi-Contact nor TE Connectivity want to allege that installers deliberately use pirate copies.
PAGE 6