September 11, 2012 – Eaton Corp. today claimed it introduced the first online tool to promote awareness and detection of counterfeit electrical products. Eaton’s new online Circuit Breaker Authentication (CBA) tool is designed to enable customers to identify counterfeit moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) up to 400A 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.

“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.”

The company made the announcement at the 2012 International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference in Panama City, Panama, co-hosted for the first time in Latin America by Interpol and the National Police of Panama, in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories.

“Our sponsorship of this conference enables us to expand awareness of electrical safety and, more specifically, the dangers of counterfeit electrical products,” said Ramiro Alvarez, Eaton business unit manager, Central America and the Caribbean.