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  • Avoid counterfeit circuit breakers 

    Counterfeit electrical products are an industry-wide issue and pose safety risks. Learn how to recognise and report fake circuit breakers to advance safety.
    Report a counterfeit

Counterfeit breakers are dangerous

Electrical equipment provides vital safety functionality in nearly every application. Counterfeits are intended to mislead consumers, installers and inspectors. Failing to meet required standards, these products put people’s lives and homes at risk – dramatically increasing the risk of fire, injury or property damage.

At Eaton, we’ve focused on electrical safety for over a century. Our solutions meet rigorous third-party standards, certification and testing requirements to ensure they will operate as intended. We work closely with industry and government leaders to help stop counterfeit products and raise awareness of the dangers they pose. Take advantage of our tools and resources to help ensure that you’re always using authentic Eaton products. 

Consumers were deceived into buying counterfeit products online
7 in 10
Consumers were deceived into buying counterfeit products online
Consumer electronics were seized in the 2023 tax year
>243k
Consumer electronics were seized in the 2023 tax year

The danger of counterfeit breakers

Eaton’s testing of counterfeit and reconditioned products has shown these products to be unsafe. A breaker failure means the loss of protection, possible equipment damage and the increased risk of worker injury at the time of failure or during maintenance.

Authenticate your products

With Eaton’s Asset Manager, you can easily authenticate specific products using our proprietary anti-counterfeit system. The product scanner will let you know whether our product is genuine or suspect. 

Asset Manager

How to spot a counterfeit breaker

Suspect that you have a counterfeit? 

Spot the signs of a moulded-case counterfeit circuit breaker

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Identify genuine Eaton miniature circuit breakers

Learn how to identify counterfeit circuit breakers to ensure safety in your home and buildings by checking for clear, scannable and properly adhered labels

Miniature Circuit Breaker Description

Additional information on counterfeit components

Frequently asked questions about counterfeit electrical products

What is a counterfeit circuit breaker?

These are fakes that are made to look like they were made by a trusted manufacturer but do not provide the advertised functionality or meet the required standards for safe operation.

Why are counterfeit circuit breakers dangerous?

Counterfeit circuit breakers are often poorly constructed, use inferior parts and are unlikely to meet published specifications. They could misrepresent the actual voltage, current and interrupting ratings, often failing independent testing to applicable performance standards such as UL489.