Fake Coilcraft on eBay - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 05:34:30 am
content: Bought 'Coilcraft' RF transformers on eBay, upon arrival it was clear they are counterfeit. Does not take much to see which one of the two in the attached photo is a fake. Also the color spots marking on the outer top of the package was not exactly as on the originals.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 01:00:33 pm
content: I donno, looks like a lot of baluny to me.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 01:09:39 pm
content: QuoteYou should assume anything on eBay is counterfeit unless proven otherwise.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 02:12:55 pm
content: Quote from: Paul Price on November 30, 2014, 01:00:33 pmYes, looks like a windup to me too...

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 02:20:47 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on November 30, 2014, 02:12:55 pmCore blimey this is bad!

author: JoeO
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 03:38:44 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on November 30, 2014, 01:09:39 pmAnd how can you prove it is legitimate unless you buy it?

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 03:59:47 am
content: Name and shame please.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 04:25:16 am
content: Quote from: evb149 on November 30, 2014, 09:26:52 pmYes, no ebay anymore for known manufacturers parts.It is not obvious from the photo but the wires on the fake transformer are soldered to the pads, whereas on the genuine one they are cold welded. So that means the windings on the fake transformer may disconnect from the pads during soldering the transformer onto a PCB.

author: jlmoon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 05:42:55 pm
content: Quote from: evb149 on November 30, 2014, 09:26:52 pmAwesome play on words!

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 08:46:20 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on December 04, 2014, 04:25:16 amAssuming the solder melts at such a low temperature. There are high temperature alloys specifically for this..

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2014, 10:03:02 pm
content: Although, high temperature solders are either really high (e.g., silver solders -- brazing, really) which seems unlikely, or soluble in regular solders (e.g., 90-100% Pb). Zn alloys have higher melting points, but AFAIK, don't touch electrical components, and wouldn't make good joints if they did (due to the solubility in tin but not lead*, and higher reactivity demanding a stronger flux).So, that would just be a matter of soaking the joint for longer -- automated paste reflow might be okay (not too much dissolves, merely leaving a joint with a pasty appearance), but hand soldering with a little too much dwell and a little too hot iron will easily carry that risk.*Yes, zinc floats on top of lead. This was used to extract silver (which is more soluble in zinc and therefore partitions into it) from lead before electroplating became the preferred purification method. However, enough tin will dissolve both (just as enough alcohol will bring water and oil together), but probably leave you with something unfit for soldering. This has been your Random Fact of the Day.Tim