PITTSBURGH—Power management company Eaton today announced that new laser-etched labels will be featured on its molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) to help in product authentication. Laser-etching is one of many new technologies employed by Eaton and other manufacturers to help combat the counterfeiting of electrical products.
Eaton’s new laser marking method provides more permanent markings, helping to authenticate each circuit breaker throughout its life cycle. These high-quality permanent markings require more sophisticated technology to manufacture and are designed to prevent removal and replacement from the product, helping consumers recognize products that have experienced reconditioning.
“Providing these more permanent markings on circuit breaker labels is part of Eaton’s ongoing effort to help prevent unsafe copies from being manufactured and making it into the marketplace,” said Tom Grace, brand protection manager, Eaton’s Electrical Sector – Americas. “The addition of new laser-etched labels demonstrates Eaton’s investment in anti-counterfeit technologies and its commitment to combat counterfeiting worldwide.”
Common counterfeit electrical products such as circuit breakers can lead to costly repairs, property damage and even serious injury or death because they have not been properly manufactured or tested.
Information laser-etched directly onto the circuit breaker includes ratings, specifications and product information. With information included on the label, customers can authenticate the breaker using Eaton’s Circuit Breaker Authentication (CBA) tool, designed to assist customers in detecting if Eaton’s MCCBs, up to 400 amperes, are counterfeit. By entering the bar code, part number and date code found on the circuit breaker, the CBA tool is intended to immediately assist in verifying authentication. The tool is accessible via any web or mobile browser at www.eaton.com/counterfeit.
The new laser-etched labels are currently in production for 2-Pole, F-Frame and Series C breakers and will be rolled out to all F-Frame MCCBs, with plans to expand to additional industrial circuit breakers.
Eaton’s electrical business is committed to anti-counterfeiting technologies and programs. For more information about Eaton’s anti-counterfeit efforts, visit www.eaton.com/counterfeit. To see the laser in action, go to www.eaton.com/seriesc.
Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
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