Circuit Breaker Authentication Tool Introduced at First South American IP Crime Conference

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation introduced the first online tool to promote awareness and detection of counterfeit electrical products. Eaton made the announcement at the 2012 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference held from Sept. 11-13 in Panamá City, Panamá, the sixth annual conference, co-hosted for the first time in Latin America by INTERPOL and the National Police of Panamá in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories.

Common counterfeit electrical products such as circuit breakers can lead to costly repairs, property damage and even serious injury or death because they have not been properly manufactured or tested. Eaton’s new online Circuit Breaker Authentication (CBA) tool is designed to enable customers to identify counterfeit molded case circuit breakers up to 400 amperes in an attempt to thwart potential danger and allow for authorities to be informed of fraudulent distribution. By entering the bar code, part number and date code found on the circuit breaker, CBA is intended to immediately detect a counterfeit. The tool is accessible via any web or mobile browser at www.eaton.com/counterfeit.

“As a global energy management leader, Eaton is committed to providing reliable, efficient and safe electrical power to a broad range of customers in Latin and South America,” said Ramiro Alvarez, business unit manager, Central America and the Caribbean. “Our sponsorship of this conference enables us to expand awareness of electrical safety and, more specifically, the dangers of counterfeit electrical products.”

In December 2011, Eaton announced it received a three-year, $27 million contract through the Panama Canal Expansion Program, to support design and construction of a third set of locks which will double the capacity of the Canal to allow more and larger ships to navigate through it. Eaton also served as a sponsor and showcased best practices related to the Expansion Project at the First Annual Panama Canal Engineering and Infrastructure Conference held in Panama City earlier this year.

“Counterfeiting of electrical products is a growing issue that hits all regions of the world including Latin America,” said Tom Grace, brand protection manager, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. “The launch of Eaton’s online Circuit Breaker Authentication tool will further aid the identification of potentially dangerous counterfeit products and their distributors on a global scale.”

Eaton’s participation in the conference underscores its commitment to electrical safety and collaboration to raise consumer awareness of counterfeiting. Acting in cooperation with British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA), Eaton and other manufacturers have been successful in conducting searches and seizures of counterfeit electrical products in China, the Middle East and Africa. These programs have identified hundreds of thousands of breakers and electrical components that have been seized and destroyed.

The 2012 Conference theme is "East Meets West - Working with the Americas to Combat Counterfeiting," and will include plenary sessions, panel sessions, operational workshops, interactive round tables, specialized IP crime training sessions, a networking lounge and an expanded exhibition area. The Panama Conference will also feature one-to-one networking where delegates can discuss operational matters with representatives of investigative agencies and other stakeholders. It is the first time the conference has been held in South America. To learn more, visit the official website.