Fake Coilcraft on eBay

[Bud]

Bought 'Coilcraft' RF transformers on eBay, upon arrival it was clear they are counterfeit. Does not take much to see which one of the two in the attached photo is a fake. Also the color spots marking on the outer top of the package was not exactly as on the originals.

[Paul Price]

I donno, looks like a lot of baluny to me.

[dannyf]

on eBay, upon arrival it was clear they are counterfeit.

You should assume anything on eBay is counterfeit unless proven otherwise.

[G0HZU]

I donno, looks like a lot of baluny to me.

Yes, looks like a windup to me too... 

[Yago]

I donno, looks like a lot of baluny to me.

Yes, looks like a windup to me too... 

Core blimey this is bad!

[JoeO]

on eBay, upon arrival it was clear they are counterfeit.

You should assume anything on eBay is counterfeit unless proven otherwise.

And how can you prove it is legitimate unless you buy it?

[nukie]

Name and shame please.

[Bud]

I think it's a mu-stake to buy things on ebay if you're looking for reliable and genuine.

Yes, no ebay anymore for known manufacturers parts.

It is not obvious from the photo but the wires on the fake transformer are soldered to the pads, whereas on the genuine one they are cold welded. So that means the windings on the fake transformer may disconnect from the pads during soldering the transformer onto a PCB.

[jlmoon]

Ferriteful.  I'd be in hysteresis if I got such an improper transformation of parts.

   Awesome play on words!

[Monkeh]

I think it's a mu-stake to buy things on ebay if you're looking for reliable and genuine.

Yes, no ebay anymore for known manufacturers parts.

It is not obvious from the photo but the wires on the fake transformer are soldered to the pads, whereas on the genuine one they are cold welded. So that means the windings on the fake transformer may disconnect from the pads during soldering the transformer onto a PCB.

Assuming the solder melts at such a low temperature. There are high temperature alloys specifically for this..

[T3sl4co1l]

Although, high temperature solders are either really high (e.g., silver solders -- brazing, really) which seems unlikely, or soluble in regular solders (e.g., 90-100% Pb).  Zn alloys have higher melting points, but AFAIK, don't touch electrical components, and wouldn't make good joints if they did (due to the solubility in tin but not lead*, and higher reactivity demanding a stronger flux).

So, that would just be a matter of soaking the joint for longer -- automated paste reflow might be okay (not too much dissolves, merely leaving a joint with a pasty appearance), but hand soldering with a little too much dwell and a little too hot iron will easily carry that risk.

*Yes, zinc floats on top of lead.  This was used to extract silver (which is more soluble in zinc and therefore partitions into it) from lead before electroplating became the preferred purification method.  However, enough tin will dissolve both (just as enough alcohol will bring water and oil together), but probably leave you with something unfit for soldering.  This has been your Random Fact of the Day.

Tim