How to Make Sure Your Electronics Parts Supplier Is Authentic

One of the key challenges today in the electronics industry is finding authentic electronics parts suppliers. Owing to the increase in counterfeit parts’ proliferation on the market, it is difficult for manufacturers to source genuine electronic parts supplies.

You must find reliable electronics parts suppliers to get the best quality, original products. This article lists some important tips and also gives you a brief to distinguish original parts from counterfeit parts.

Best Practices that help you find an Authentic Electronic Parts Supplier

If you are a part of the electronics component value chain of any industry, then you must know these tips that will help you find a reliable electronic parts supplier.

Check the Electronic Part Labels.

One of the easiest ways to identify a counterfeit product is to check its labels. The counterfeits will have spelling mistakes and inaccurate information. The brand information would be incorrect in such counterfeit parts. Genuine electronic parts will have the correct brand logo, correct spelling, and accurate specifications.

Scan the Parts Under X-ray:

You can leverage the X-ray machines to check the parts for any defects such as missing wires. Such defects are not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, X-rays help in identifying such electronic parts.

Make use of Abrasion and Scrape Tests:

Tests like abrasion and scrape tests are a great way to check if there’s any unwanted acetone coating or resurfacing on the electronic parts. Genuine electronic part suppliers will never use any acetone coating or polymer to make the product shine and look good as new.

Check for Physical Deformities of Electronic Parts.

Counterfeit electronic parts or those from improper suppliers will have deformities that you can check manually. Some counterfeit parts are made from reconstituted parts, which leaves them with physical deformities. Genuine parts will be smooth and have no such deformities.

Always check the online Website and Reviews.

With the internet, it has become easier to identify an authentic electronic part supplier. A genuine supplier will have a good website with all their product listed. You can also check if they have the required certifications. You can also rely on the online reviews, which their customers would have left on different websites. 

Check the Packaging.

Authentic electronics parts suppliers will give you their products in a proper package. It will have all the required items in the package such as a dry pack with moisture-sensitive parts. 

How to Identify a Counterfeit Electronic Parts Supplier?

Counterfeit parts suppliers offer lucrative discounts which you feel are a steal for the price. However, these discounts reflect low quality. Counterfeiters use many methods to churn profits even with their too-good-to-be-true deals. For example, they pull off assembled parts from old/stolen circuit boards or use rejected parts from authentic suppliers.

However, you can easily spot these with simple tests or with signs of use and age. Such parts will have signs of wear and tear like oxidation points at the pins or scratches.

How to Find a Trustworthy Manufacturing Partner

You need authentic parts to manufacture high-quality PCBs. For this, you can use the tips to filter to identify counterfeit parts. However, there is another challenge that you need to address, and that is to navigate through the part supply chain without falling prey to the counterfeiters.

You can work with component procurement specialists who know how to check electronic part supplier authenticity and part quality. This will save you money and time.