Risks of buying counterfeit cables

According to the Trade Association of International Electrical Product Companies of Peru (EPEI - Spanish acronym); counterfeiting and smuggling generate economic losses of more than US $500 million a year. In addition, the purchase of counterfeit products such as cables, plugs, and outlets generates significant risks to the safety of people and property in general.

José López furthermore shares some of the main risks of acquiring substandard products:

Short circuit and fire

In order to reduce production costs, counterfeit cables are made of materials that are not suitable for conducting electricity, such as brass or construction iron. They are not designed to withstand high temperatures, do not have the electrical resistance required and thus can cause short circuits and fires.

• How to recognize that a product is "fake"

Thanks to technology, it is possible to check this. “At Nexans Indeco we launched Vigicheck, a solution that improves customer experience by providing two holograms with a QR code and an application. By scanning the codes through the free AUTHENTIC VISSION mobile application, the user is able to ensure that the product in their hands is original. Higher quality thus provides not only provides greater economic benefit but greater safety for the user and for their family by avoiding unnecessary risks”, the executive added.

Poor durability

The useful life of an electrical conductor is approximately between 20 and 25 years. However, the durability of substandard counterfeit products is significantly reduced. When counterfeit cables are purchased, it is very likely that they will have to be replaced in the short term due to electrical failures or flaws in the cable's structure.

Electrocution.

The poor manufacturing quality of counterfeit and substandard products, and the materials used as electricity conductors can cause the fatal electrocution of the user.

Finally, according to EPEI, 70% of the cables that reach the Peruvian retail market is illegal and does not comply with national technical regulations. That is why it is extremely important to properly review the cables and use technologies such as Vigicheck to make a secure purchase.