Eaton has introduced a new online circuit breaker authentication (CBA) tool that enables customers to identify counterfeit electrical products and allows authorities to be notified about fraudulent distribution.
The announcement was made this month at the 2012 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property Crime Conference in Panamá City, Panamá. The conference was co-hosted by Interpol and the National Police of Panamá in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories.
"As a global energy management leader, Eaton is committed to providing reliable, efficient and safe electrical power to a broad range of customers in Latin and South America," said Ramiro Alvarez, business unit manager for Central America and the Caribbean. "Our sponsorship of this conference enables us to expand awareness of electrical safety and, more specifically, the dangers of counterfeit electrical products."
Circuit breakers are one of the most common electrical products counterfeited. Products that have not been adequately tested or properly manufactured can lead to high repair costs, property damage and serious injury, according to Eaton. The CBA tool with immediately detect if a circuit breaker is counterfeit once the customer enters the barcode, part number and date code into the system.
"Counterfeiting of electrical products is a growing issue that hits all regions of the world including Latin America," said Tom Grace, brand protection manager for Eaton's electrical sector. "The launch of Eaton's online circuit breaker authentication tool will further aid the identification of potentially dangerous counterfeit products and their distributors on a global scale."
To access Eaton's CBA tool, please visit: www.eaton.com/counterfeit
