Warning: Fake 100A Fotek Solid State Relays - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 09:55:33 am
content: Ordered a couple of Fotek solid state relays from eBay marked as being able to handle 100A (SSR-100 DD), I bought two figuring I would tear one down and verify they are indeed 100A modules before putting it into use. Here are the results.Yes, that's a 2SC4110, a 25A transistor.Buyer beware!

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 10:24:02 am
content: So its a fake, which isn't surprising on EBAY. It looks like the whole SSR-nnDD product range uses the same housing, so it *MAY* simply be a remarked SSR-05DD or SSR-10DD, which would be consistent with the 60V voltage rating. All the higher power SSRs in the range are rated for 120V DC. Its also interesting to note that I couldn't find any reference to a SSR-100DD model on the Fotek websitehttp://www.fotek.com.tw/pdf/SSR-DD.pdf

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 12:32:01 pm
content: No link to the Ebay listing. Come on. Give us a fighting chance to make our own minds up.

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 01:24:49 pm
content: Whoops, sure:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133095376627Edit: Just noticed that the label is completely different on the unit, so perhaps not Fotek's fault, but a fake/rebadged unit. I have re-titled the thread in accordance with this.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2019, 02:24:47 pm
content: Good one Gnif. Big Clive did a teardown of one of these things. @5:00 he notes the triac is not sufficient for the stated current.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2019, 12:52:51 am
content: That wasn't overly cheap too, $13 each.Here are some genuine 40A for $6:https://lcsc.com/product-detail/Relays_CDG1-1DA-40A_C108612.htmlThere are lots of alix sellers but the reviews are not really useful, just lowish loads reported, none taken apart, so not clear if its genuine:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32845269143.html(one review saying it blew up but its not clear if it had appropriate heatsinking).https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32865807659.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32906876577.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32842313085.htmlMaybe its possible to measure the on resistance of output and get an idea of the internal FET?Also in another thread it was mentioned the clearance of the fake was terrible:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/dc-ssr-wont-turn-off/

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2019, 03:09:09 am
content: This has been common knowledge for years. I'd expect a genuine 100A SSR to cost at least $50. Ebay is full of fake garbage that is nothing more than a commodity triac screwed to a piece of aluminum with a basic optocoupler circuit.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2019, 04:03:34 am
content: I'm surprised they even bothered with the conformal coating.

author: vlady_2009
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 07, 2019, 02:19:59 am
content: Since these fakes so cheap (can be ~$4) thought I would check them out in any case.For anything "serious" obviously not worth the risk, but if used highly derated, potentially useful, especially when "her in doors" frowns upon every dollar spent on "frivolous hobbies".I use a notional 40A SSR for a 10A load (a DIY steam generator for essential oil extraction based on a 2400W element) - the teardown of the actual SSR showed a 24A triac used - and working OK so far.Here is summary of results of the testing for any interested.www . youtube . com/watch?v=rgW8L2LaAlU

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 10:47:07 pm
content: I ordered SSR-60 DA on aliexpress, and LED light bolb still glowing (faded) after regulated voltage disconnected. Is it concidered as a fake and money can be refund?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 11:02:59 pm
content: According to the Fotek SSR-xxDA seriesdatasheet, the max. off state leakage current is 5mA, which is more than enough to light a LED bulb.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 02:26:11 am
content: Look on the back and see if you can see the screw hole where the TO-220 triac is attached. Genuine will not have this.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 08:31:22 am
content: It have some

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2021, 05:30:31 pm
content: It's very dark in those photos but that looks like there's a screw to me. If you paid less than about $50 for a 100A SSR it's fake. You could also try putting it on a heatsink and put perhaps a 30-50A load on it, it will probably fail almost instantly and then you know it's fake.

author: Ivanko1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 09:54:16 am
content: Yes it have screw hole. I pay $10 for two SSR 60DA on aliexpress. I need it for REX-C100 and <1000W load on 220V.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2021, 12:13:24 am
content: If they are that cheap they are fake, period. Good for around 10 Amps or so typically, regardless of what the label says. Good quality name brand SSRs are much more expensive.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2021, 03:17:25 am
content: I recommend getting panasonic brand on digikey for heat related projects (SMD oven). Yes its like $50 but you can easily fry 4x that on a PCB if it fails short during a reflow and you get tired of watching it. I just don't trust the cheap ones.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2021, 05:08:13 am
content: Everyone, don't forget a (triac) SSR dissipates about 1W per A.They aren't really practical above say 60A because the required heatsink+fan is huge and thermal resistance of the SSR and mounting hardware is a problem. This is when people go with (or add) a mechanical contactor.A 60A SSR will dissipate 60W and buying higher current-rated say 100A SSR doesn't mean it runs any cooler.Crydom are the best because they mount the triac die right on the thermal slab (patent) for very low thermal resistance. But really expensive now.

author: BreakingOhmsLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:25:22 pm
content: It could be even worse. The manufacturer of that fake SSR will take little care where they source their components. If that 12A Triac is actually a relabelled part itself with even less true rating than that, you might end up with a 6A Triac in a "40 A" SSR.

author: GamingUnleashed
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2021, 07:28:55 am
content: well I just got stung with a box of 100 of these fakesaliexpress will not do anything because I can not prove what a real one looks like ... which I know is impossible because their are no real 100A ... to compare withwas needing ~40A to control DC heaters for the aquaponic setup and they blew ~ 30A with huge heat sinks installed , opening them up found turtle SSR 10DD PCBcan someone ID this part? or should I open up another to see if I can read the other sideopened up a few more and got one that is pretty readable

author: darronb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2021, 09:18:46 pm
content: Here's what I received today, from an eBay order.They were supposed to be 40A, and disassembly revealed a 24A Triac (MARKED AS SUCH, anyway...).The last photo is from the eBay listing. As you can see, the photo shows it as a "Fotek", as per usual for these fakes.But the total crap I received didn't even bother to say Fotek, instead being marked as FQFER, as far as I can tell (I pronounce this in my head as Fuk Fur).At least they had the honesty to show "Made in China" on the label, rather than the former practice of claiming to be made in Taiwan.Darron in Golconda, Nevada, USA

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2021, 10:22:02 pm
content: Quote from: GamingUnleashed on July 13, 2021, 07:28:55 amYou'll have to peel that black stuff off to see the part number at the top.I don't know why you'd buy 100pc of these without verifying the seller first? Even then, running 30A through them, I'd be super cautious about using these no name clones.. and no way in hell for any business use.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2021, 01:01:31 am
content: I wouldn't trust those things to carry 10 amps. I'd say it's more likely than not that triac is fake too and nowhere near the 24A the number on it would imply. To at least some degree you get what you pay for. If it costs 1/10th what something from a reputable supplier costs then it's not going to be very good. There is some premium for the name with something like Crydom but it's nowhere near the price difference between a genuine one and these bottom of the barrel knockoffs.

author: GamingUnleashed
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2021, 08:23:58 am
content: because it was from a factory with positive reviews .. however it seems aliexpress blocks all Negative reviews being sent ... or at least I was unable to send anything that was not 100% positivethen the seller said the heatsinks I ordered (the only size I could even find listed) were only for up to 20A while fan cooled

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 05:22:10 am
content: Well, write it off as education. I wouldn't trust any reviews that are 100% positive, even a good product will have a few mediocre and negative reviews. I would take even legit reviews with a grain of salt, a non-expert who buys a few cheap SSRs and uses them to control some light bulbs or other loads that draw a few amps and it works will likely leave a positive review.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2021, 05:40:44 am
content: Quote from: GamingUnleashed on July 22, 2021, 08:23:58 amQuote from: GamingUnleashed on July 13, 2021, 07:28:55 amYou bought a part you know doesn't exist, in bulk, from Aliexpress, and expected it to be legit because there are some positive reviews? Congratulations, you're exactly the sort of buyer they're looking for.

author: ElectricBadger
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 26, 2021, 02:35:55 pm
content: I personally have had very close calls with fotek branded relays and for that reason no longer use them to build brewing controllers. Fotek is a big brand of relays manufactured in Taiwan and I'm willing to bet the genuine Fotek relays are of good quality. Unfortunately for Fotek, counterfeiters in China have targeted this brand and have inundated the market with fake Fotek relays, which typically contain triacs with Amp rating below the SSR label amp rating.There is no good way to tell the fake from the genuine Fotek relay without a tear down. The fakes are just plain dangerous to use.