4 ms·

I don't follow your comment. I'm not sure how you can claim that Solid state relay is fake. Also poor security practices in IoT devices and counterfeits sounds

by vmarsy 10y ago

I don't follow your comment. I'm not sure how you can claim that Solid state relay is fake. Also poor security practices in IoT devices and counterfeits sounds like 2 completely different topics. Let me play the devil's advocate: How can you be sure [1] is fake? To me the picture looks like the real one reported in [2]. It is also 2.5x the price of the fake one reported in [2]. You also say there are lots of unhappy customers, but [1] has only 1 five stars review. If there were unhappy customers wouldn't there be more reviews? > They exist; you can buy them through Digi-Key or Mouser. They cost about 2.5x the fake price Do you have a link by any chance to compare the prices? I didn't find any on either Digi-key or Mouser. Also how are solid state relays related to large quantities IoT devices? Most buying IoT devices aren't buying raw components, but a finished product instead (Hue, Nest, Cameras, Baby monitors, etc.) Here your main point is against counterfeits, but the issue mentioned in the article is not about counterfeits, it's about bad security. Those IoT devices with low (or non-existent) security unfortunately aren't even fake ones.

Animats 10y ago
How can you be sure [1] is fake? To me the picture looks like the real one reported in [2]. Read the UL warning notice. Note that the real ones have a bevel in the plastic frame outlining the product label, (this prevents putting the label in upside down) while the fake ones do not, even though some have a corner cut on the label. They also say "Taiwan Made", not "Made in Taiwan". Here's a 5 amp Omron solid state relay in the same form factor on Digi-Key.[1] $24.75. Digi-Key doesn't carry Fotek. Here's a teardown of a counterfeit relay on Instructables.[2] The author had designed these relays into a larger system and was getting warranty returns of the entire product. It has components sized for maybe half the nameplate current rating. There are complaints on forums from people using these for 3D printer hot bed control, brewing control, freezer control, and "grow rooms". They're a popular way to get an Arduino to switch large AC loads. Under higher loads, some units have been observed to melt. Others failed, sometimes into the ON state. [1] http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/omron-automation-and-safety/G3NA-205B-DC5-24/Z165-ND/307685 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/omron-automation-an... [2] http://www.instructables.com/id/The-inner-workings-of-Counterfeit-FOTEK-SSRs/ http://www.instructables.com/id/The-inner-workings-of-Counte...
bbcbasic 10y ago
Animats said "There's a problem at the China end with crap low-end devices driving out the good ones" That is the connection between the two topics. You go on Amazon and no one is selling quality. A lawsuit would kill the crap products and you are left with the certified / branded / or otherwise 'proven' good products.

by vmarsy 10y ago

Animats 10y ago

How can you be sure [1] is fake? To me the picture looks like the real one reported in [2]. Read the UL warning notice. Note that the real ones have a bevel in the plastic frame outlining the product label, (this prevents putting the label in upside down) while the fake ones do not, even though some have a corner cut on the label. They also say "Taiwan Made", not "Made in Taiwan". Here's a 5 amp Omron solid state relay in the same form factor on Digi-Key.[1] $24.75. Digi-Key doesn't carry Fotek. Here's a teardown of a counterfeit relay on Instructables.[2] The author had designed these relays into a larger system and was getting warranty returns of the entire product. It has components sized for maybe half the nameplate current rating. There are complaints on forums from people using these for 3D printer hot bed control, brewing control, freezer control, and "grow rooms". They're a popular way to get an Arduino to switch large AC loads. Under higher loads, some units have been observed to melt. Others failed, sometimes into the ON state. [1] http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/omron-automation-and-safety/G3NA-205B-DC5-24/Z165-ND/307685 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/omron-automation-an... [2] http://www.instructables.com/id/The-inner-workings-of-Counterfeit-FOTEK-SSRs/ http://www.instructables.com/id/The-inner-workings-of-Counte...

bbcbasic 10y ago

Animats said "There's a problem at the China end with crap low-end devices driving out the good ones" That is the connection between the two topics. You go on Amazon and no one is selling quality. A lawsuit would kill the crap products and you are left with the certified / branded / or otherwise 'proven' good products.