Multi-Contact Acts Against Product Counterfeiters

Santa Rosa, CA, September 06, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Recently, more and more poor quality copies of MC-PV connectors and panel sockets have appeared on the PV market. At the photovoltaic trade show Intersolar 2006 in Freiburg (Germany), MC targeted these forgeries. One of the things uncovered concerned a Chinese provider who had connectors which visually could not be distinguished from genuine Multi-Contact products. A lawyer was hired and a court action resulted in the Chinese trade stand being closed down. As a provider of high quality, certificated and tested PV connectors, with high investment and production costs, Multi-Contact will continue to protect its interests if counterfeit and cheap copies appear on the market. According to TÜV Rheinland, such cheap imitations are causing great problems as their use is on the rise.

These products have a short service life as a result of overheating caused by increased contact resistance. Or malfunctions arise due to permeable insulation (see photo of a heating test conducted by TÜV Rheinland). Nevertheless, there are manufacturers, who for the sake of a few pennies, or through their own lack of awareness, use such cheap imitations. The fact that solar modules which use these connectors are even certificated reveals a gaping loophole in the certification process that urgently needs to be addressed. According to reports, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) will present a new standard before the end of the year. MC will continue to act against copies. A first step in Germany is to contact and inform (warn) providers using forged MC connectors. If this is not complied with, legal action may follow.

###