Counterfeit electrical appliances are dangerous as they fuel fire in your home

Consumers must beware of counterfeit electrical appliances as they pose a grave threat to South Africans’ lives and homes as smoke, fire and flames claim numerous lives in SA – ranking among the top causes of death.

The Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa has also reported that almost one-tenth of all fires stem from electrical sources.

“However, many people are unaware that counterfeit electrical products play a major role in fuelling these incidents. To safeguard local households, it is crucial to raise awareness and tell people about the extent of this problem,” says Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBI-electric: low voltage.

Speaking on light of World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, he pointed out that commonly counterfeited items include terminal connector blocks, timing switches, circuit breakers and earth leakage devices – as well as multi-plugs and adapters that can cause burns, electrical shocks and even fires.

Dickson says the use of substandard materials to make counterfeit products cheaper is largely to blame and, with the current economic climate, the counterfeit market is rife.

“For example, instead of using plastic materials that are non-flammable or self-extinguishing... counterfeiters use cheap alternatives that burn more easily and can produce toxic smoke which puts the consumer at risk of injury or death,” he says.

Dickson says these criminals are not only putting people’s lives at risk, but are also taking away economic activity from legitimate businesses.

“A report published by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade has shown that illicit trade is one of the biggest threats to stability and economic growth in SA, with the country losing R250 million a day.”

Dickson’s top tips for ensuring the authenticity of products:

▶ Manufacturers and importers must have a letter of authority (LOA):

Nobody is allowed to sell electrical in SA without a LOA from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications. This ensures that they comply with internationally accepted standards for public health and safety, as well as environmental protection.

Regulated products must be approved before they enter the SA market and are subject to post-market inspections at manufacturers’ premises, ports of entry and at retailers. Any non-compliant products could be recalled, confiscated or destroyed.

▶ Buy recognised brands from recognised establishments.

According to the latest Survey on Electrical Counterfeiting in Africa, the majority of the continent’s consumers buy these products from street vendors.

While this may be a more affordable avenue, rather shop for products from well-known brands and reputable retailers.

▶ Use compliant and trustworthy contractors:

Unscrupulous electricians are another common source of counterfeit electrical goods. In SA, all low voltage electrical installations, including circuit breakers, cables and earth leakage devices, must, by law, comply with the requirements of Sans 10142, the standard for the wiring of premises.

A Certificate of Compliance (COC) verifies that an electrical installation is compliant, but if it is discovered this was issued fraudulently, it may invalidate the consumer’s insurance cover.

▶ If the price is too good to be true, it probably is:

As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. The problem with counterfeit goods is that manufacturers take shortcuts which compromise the quality.

Consumers who discover they are victims of counterfeiters can approach consumer protection groups or organisations that protect businesses and people from preventable harm caused by unsafe electrical products and services.