3 Best Methods To Identify Counterfeit Electronic Components

3 Best Methods To Identify Counterfeit Electronic Components

Counterfeit electronic components is a major problem that mounts in designing electronic circuits. Among all electronic manufacturers, this concern is quite grave because the counterfeit electronic components are a threat to the industries that make use of it. Think of military, fire and protection, and other several industries.

Counterfeit parts have a strong impact on the entire quality of an electronic component. This is why it is crucial for design engineers and electronic manufacturers to identify the counterfeit electronic components and stop using it.

Most of the time, these counterfeit components are just a copy of original ones and they also work fine in their initial trials. However, they are more susceptible to breakdowns in the later stages of their work. These failures have serious repercussions. For example, an electronic device used in the military has failed, it can pose a risk to millions of lives.

Below are the 4 top methods by which you can prevent counterfeit electronic components from coming into your electronics supply chains:

1. X-Ray inspection
X-ray inspections tools play an essential role in checking the authenticity of an electronic component. This method is very effective in testing the inner functioning of the device. These tools examine the internal working of the parts, that is why it is one of the best ways to monitor the fidelity of a product.

2. Check the forged markings
Blacktopping activity is commonly performed by many inspectors. A thin layer of blacktopping material is applied to hide the original part numbers and details and send them as high-quality products in the market. Then, these parts are re-printed and given false numbers and markings. But with an acetone wash, this layer is removed and real markings are revealed.

3. Decapsulation
This method is used when all other examinations are not enough to test the authenticity of a part. There are many ways to implement this procedure. Commonly, this is performed by using an acid solution. After the process is done, a special microscope is used to see the inner workings of a part to examine it.

Counterfeiting business is carried out by some of the Asian countries for making profits. These parts are sold cheaply and re-labeled as good-quality components. All the industries dealing with electronic components must prevent their passage.