The fight against sub-standard electrical components

[Dave A]

The issue of electrical component certification recently came up on TFSA in this question - and it seems to be a growing problem in the industry.

EE Publishers asks Sub-standard product: can the battle be won? Well, it's certainly a battle that we can't afford to lose!

The article mentions the SAFEHouse initiative as a push back from industry. Well, it's a start.

What else can be done?
Is there a way we could get the contractors involved?

[Justloadit]

Is there a way we could get the contractors involved?

More like, will the customer request certified equipment to be installed, rather than using the cheapest material to do the job.

[AndyD]

I think it's all about the money as usual. People are obviously able to import sub-standard products with impunity so it's a customs and excise issue as well as a DTI one. They often make false claims about the products safety and its ISO/UL/SANS compliance and tset status which is a standards misrepresentation issue as well as there being a consumer protection angle.

They can usually afford to sell the product at a fraction of the price of one that's been through the testing regime which means contractors willing to take the chance can make a higher mark-up. At the end of the chain you've got customers who are just price-driven sheep who for the most part are happy to be blissfully ignorant.

So who's going to lead the fight? I don't see any likely candidates in the list above, maybe I missed somebody.

[Slow Blow]

Generally the client wants the cheapest socket, switch etc available, I always offer both top quality and "Builders Warehouse Specials", BWS wins 9 times out of 10.
If they keep importing crap it will sell.

[Dave A]

If they keep importing crap it will sell.

Yep, that seems to be the problem. Do you think a mandatory defective product recall at the expense of the importer (in terms of the provisions of the CPA) might make importers think twice before they pump junk?

So who's going to lead the fight? I don't see any likely candidates in the list above, maybe I missed somebody.

Indeed you did.

In May last year I made a decision. And things are starting to come along quite nicely.

[AndyD]

Yep, that seems to be the problem. Do you think a mandatory defective product recall at the expense of the importer (in terms of the provisions of the CPA) might make importers think twice before they pump junk?

I doubt it, importers will just disappear into thin air if there's a product recall and reopen next week in another name.

Indeed you did.

In May last year I made a decision. And things are starting to come along quite nicely.

Sharing is caring...

[Dave A]

importers will just disappear into thin air if there's a product recall and reopen next week in another name

Leaving the next layer down carrying the can then?

Bear in mind the whole supply chain is in the firing line, and the problem is shovelled back up it until it can't be passed on anymore.
My ultimate hope is to motivate the retailers and industry wholesalers to start paying attention to what they're moving.

Sharing is caring...

I'm sure I mentioned it somewhere - I joined the ECA.

And one thing has led to another... as they tend to in my life.

[AndyD]

Leaving the next layer down carrying the can then?

Bear in mind the whole supply chain is in the firing line, and the problem is shovelled back up it until it can't be passed on anymore.
My ultimate hope is to motivate the retailers and industry wholesalers to start paying attention to what they're moving.

In all fairness most of the national retailers have their supply chains trussed up like a Christmas turkey. They usually have part or whole ownership in many of their suppliers or they have the local agency and they're probably not very likely to be the outlets selling the products that have been landed by some arbitary importer who's aim is to sell cheap, flood the market and move on to the next product with zero regard of safety, fit for purpose or customer satisfaction. That leaves the small independants.

With the electrical installation components most established contractors won't use the rubbish. It's not worth their while because it costs them in warranty claims if they install cheap products or items without product after sales service and support.

Whilst there are undoubtedly some substandard installation items such as switches, sockets and circuit breakers I think the products that are most guilty of being consistently substandard are the novelty type items, anything ranging from Christmas tree lights, geyser power saving widgets and swimming pool gizmos to battery chargers, general small appliances and insect killers. Many of these items wouldn't be purchased at an electrical wholesaler, more likely on a market, from a general store, from Gumtree or from a gadget type 'Chinese' shop. Many of these items wouldn't fall under the jurisdiction of the CoC and many of these items wouldn't be installed by an electrical professional. As such thay would likely have no point of contact with the 'electrical industry' so I'd question how effective the ECA or a similar body could be in controlling them.

I'm sure I mentioned it somewhere - I joined the ECA.

And one thing has led to another... as they tend to in my life.

I'm only at half speed tonight, you did mention it and I didn't put 2 + 2 together.

[Dave A]

At the moment those fong-kong ballasts we referred to in the other thread, and the MCB knock-offs look like possible candidates.

[jeremychetty]

Work as a repairs technician for probably one of, if not the biggest electrical distributor in SA.believe me,everything is fong kong chinese stuff,difference is,one comes with make-up in the form of our company brand name and china mall or chinese shops have the manufacturers name. So beside the warranty u may receive from us, the product is the same.

[DieterT]

This is not only in die electrical industry. Speaking to friends of mine in the engineering industry they have the same problem. You get the "fongkong Chinese imports" then you get the quality German/Italian etc. imports.

The problem with contractors is that alot of them try to get their foot in the door by having the cheapest quote and the client falls for that.

Their are 3 people involved here : client, contractor, supplier.

Clients who want it the cheapest. Contractors that are desperate for work and suppliers that are clueless about the products they sell and are money hungry.

I believe we as contractors can make the difference. By knowing our products (and not just going on the word of our suppliers) by presenting the client with different choices i.e. using the fongkong cheapy will probably lead to damage of equipment and regular replacements and using the more expensive quality there is more of a garentee and less replacements.

And advising our client about the different possibilities and consequences.

End of the day its the client's choice, but we as professionals have to advise our client best possible.

If we are talking about uncertified illegal products bought from some street vendor, then it is good for the professional who is signing that CoC to just remember that he is taking responsibility for "material and procurement" which in turn would make him responsible should that device fail and result in loss of property or personal injury cause the supplier whould be long gone...

Same for client using a contractor, making sure he is properly registered before having him do work on his premesis to avoid having any legal implications should something go wrong.

As we say, "Goedkoop koop is duur koop"

[Dave A]

If we are talking about uncertified illegal products bought from some street vendor, then it is good for the professional who is signing that CoC to just remember that he is taking responsibility for "material and procurement" which in turn would make him responsible should that device fail and result in loss of property or personal injury cause the supplier whould be long gone...

Would that responsibility for material apply to a "test only" COC?

Same for client using a contractor, making sure he is properly registered before having him do work on his premesis to avoid having any legal implications should something go wrong.

I'm finding this to be a regular problem, with two main elements:

• Clients don't insist on a COC when they have the installation altered - they rely on the existing COC already issued and don't realise the alteration affects the validity of the existing COC
• Clients are unaware that the electrical installation has been interfered with (most common one being geyser changes or repairs, but it's an issue that crops up with all sorts of other fixed appliances fairly often too).

[Sparks]

The problem starts at our doorstep. The SABS certification is issued to the rubbish. Being substandard is not the only problem, items which do not comply with safety requirements are also certified.

[Justloadit]

The SABS certification is issued to the rubbish. Being substandard is not the only problem, items which do not comply with safety requirements are also certified.

Can you substantiate your claim?
Product with model and the SABS number, which must be on a label as part of the equipment.
I am busy going through the process of getting one of my products SABS certified, and there is no way that SABS will certify equipment which does not meet the SABS standards.
This is also no cheap exercise.

[Sparks]

Send it to China first and then apply from there. Chinese junk which is lethal is getting imported with their blessing. Electrical equipment gets approved for import despite not meeting the requirements. Problem is that you are not "yellow" enough for the new SA. I don't have such a good memory anymore, but there has been discussion on the forum already about products which are supposed to be safe from water ingress, yet when a plug top is plugged in the lid cannot closed. The product carries a SABS mark! Bedside lamps are not a dime a dozen any more but, take a look to see what the lampholder is made of and how many cores the cable it is fitted with has.... the market is full of shady products