Replies

1. 
   McPlumb | Jan 01, 2008 08:00pm | #1

   Is there any way to tell if they are not real Square D breakers?

1. 
   Gunner | Jan 01, 2008 08:46pm | #2

     Not as far as I know. That's what's scary. One of the things mentioned in the article that I read was you should only use an authorized square D dealer. That covers a lot of supply houses. But what about regular old hardware stores?

    

    

    

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related

2. 
   edlee | Jan 01, 2008 08:54pm | #3

   That's bad!

   
   

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   Edited 1/1/2008 12:54 pm ET by edlee

1. 
   Gunner | Jan 01, 2008 09:00pm | #4

      Yea it's a potentialy huge problem.

    

    

    

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related

1. 
   northeastvt | Jan 01, 2008 11:12pm | #5

   Gunner,

    Thank's for the post. I buy at a local elect. house and hardware store.. It would seem, if the manufacturer could tell the difference, they might share it with the one's installing there product. That is bad! Recall in the future? Breakers with water marks?lol

   Northeastvt

1. 
   Gunner | Jan 01, 2008 11:42pm | #6

      I'm sure there has to a difference in the stampings. If they are built cheaper they must be stamped cheaper. I would think anyway.

   Coz the boys in the hood are always hard.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related

1. 
   McPlumb | Jan 02, 2008 05:12pm | #7

   The local Lowes carries both Square D lines, Homeline and QO, I don't buy them there but it would a great place to dump cheap ones, most folks would be happy with there " Bargain".  Scary indeed. 

2. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 04, 2008 04:48pm | #8

   http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08151.html"Actual Square D circuit breakers have (a) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker; (b) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and; (c) a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description, it could be counterfeit."Pictures shown at the link.But the difference is clear. The counterfit units only have a molded number in the handle and thus is black. While the Sq D's are filled with white paint.
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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

3. 
   maddog3 | Jan 04, 2008 05:14pm | #9

   Stamped !! yep, that's about half of the existing breakers I have seen over the past few years
   it also sort of clears up why whole panels are being changed out .. when it was just assumed the environment was causing all the problems.

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   ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

4. 
   edwardh1 | Jan 04, 2008 05:29pm | #10

   wonder which are better
   1. sq d breakers made in Mexico
   2 sq d breakers made in China
   3. counterfeit sq d breakers

   Edited 1/4/2008 9:30 am ET by edwardh1

5. 
   MarkH | Jan 04, 2008 05:44pm | #11

   Mex ones, hombre.

6. 
   MisterT | Jan 04, 2008 06:24pm | #12

   That post says it all...your cheapazz counterfiet breakers are not as good as our cheapazz rREAL breakers.
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   I have Transcended the need for Pants....oooohhhhmmmmmm......

7. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 04, 2008 06:50pm | #13

   "Stamped !! yep, that's about half of the existing breakers I have seen over the past few years"Note that is only for SQ D, QO breakers..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

8. 
   maddog3 | Jan 04, 2008 10:34pm | #15

   i just looked at one QO earlier... one breaker out of 20 was painted.

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   .

   ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

9. 
   rez | Jan 04, 2008 10:41pm | #16

   This means you are going to die.

    

   be whatta a way to go.

   Now I have to go check all my breakers?

   Peace out.

   Edited 1/4/2008 2:42 pm ET by rez

10. 
    maddog3 | Jan 04, 2008 10:45pm | #17

    not today I hope !.

    .

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    ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

11. 
    BillHartmann | Jan 04, 2008 11:10pm | #18

    They have an injuction against two other suppliers.CES and TES."CES Liquidating, Inc. (formerly Connecticut Electric & Switch Manufacturing Company) and TES Liquidating LLC (formerly Tacoma Electric Supply LLC) are permanently enjoined from marketing, selling, distributing, purchasing and importing any Square D products. The injunction arose out of Square D’s claims that CES Liquidating and TES Liquidating sold counterfeit circuit breakers bearing Square D’s trademarks. Square D’s continuing efforts to track down counterfeiters and protect intellectual property rights had revealed that CES Liquidating and TES Liquidating sold 85,000 counterfeit circuit breakers that could pose hazards to consumers."http://www.automation.com/store/p1030details22373.php
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    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

12. 
    maddog3 | Jan 04, 2008 11:27pm | #19

    from your link...." In addition, NABCO is required under the Court’s order to recall the counterfeit circuit breakers it placed into the field in cooperation with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under its Fast Track Program. "how the hell is that going to work, who keeps those kinds of records
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    ., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

13. 
    rez | Jan 05, 2008 03:27pm | #21

    Checked mine yesterday. Same scenario.

    All unpainted except one.

    Bought around '01 to '03 I a'reckon. Have to nail down an exact date.

    Purchased at the now closed bankrupt big box chain called.......................................DIY...be the pain, oh the painPeace out.

14. 
    renosteinke | Jan 05, 2008 10:38pm | #22

    That's what I was referring to .... legitimate Sq. D breakers once were made with the stamped handles .... the painted ones are a newer version. A stamped handle might simply be old stock (but legit), be a used / reconditioned breaker, or be a fake. You have no way of knowing. A bit off topic ... but with the new NEC requirement for $$$$ AFCI type breakers, and the various troubleshooting problems, look for fake breakers to be even more of a problem.

15. 
    Gunner | Jan 05, 2008 04:46am | #20

       Thanks Bill.

     

     

     

     

    "Woke up quick at about noon. Just knew that I had to be in Compton soon."

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related

3. 
   lwj2 | Jan 04, 2008 08:41pm | #14

   Gunner, Bill, I owe you.

   One of this year's projects is upgrading to a breaker panel, and I've seen the stamped ones at Lowes, didn't know the difference, figured it was just a different manufacturing lot.

   Thanks!

   Leon