Suspected fake UL listing reported, investigation completed today;

[mdocod]

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/...y-charger-with-unauthorized-ul_20091001050000

I reported on the false use of the UL label about 6 months ago and we exchanged numerous emails at that time. I received an email today which basically thanked me for my participation in the matter and gave the link above so that I could see the results of the investigation.

This is something I encourage others to do. There should not be any support from CPF of a product that contains a falsified UL logo. If you suspect a counterfeit use of UL markings or other safety markings in other countries, dig a little deeper.

-Eric

 

[lightforce2]

Eric, your efforts in doing the right thing & ensure safety standards are not compromised is of real benefit to us CPF'ers
Much appreciated!!

 

[hank]

hmmmm, UL says the one with the fake label
http://www.ul.com/global/digitalassets/images/content/corporate/newsroom/pressreleases/nr100109a.jpg was sold by DX.

Looks like this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15608
http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_15608_6.jpg

Anyone -- reseller or customer/buyer -- who wants to check this stuff can look it up at UL:
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/index.html

 

[smokelaw1]

I've wondered in the past wether UL labels were ever faked. Good for you for following up on your thoughts and making the world a little safer!

 

[mfm]

It won't matter for DX, but I wonder how this might impact US based sellers:

http://www.lighthound.com/Shoshine-...rger-for-17550-17670-18500-18650_p_2557.html#

 

[NutSAK]

mdocod, what tipped you off that this UL mark was falsified?

 

[Mr Happy]

mdocod, what tipped you off that this UL mark was falsified?

If the product you are planning to buy is not sold directly by US retailers inside the US market, it is almost certain that any UL marking you see on the product is not genuine. The same applies to the CE mark inside Europe.

 

[NutSAK]

If the product you are planning to buy is not sold directly by US retailers inside the US market, it is almost certain that any UL marking you see on the product is not genuine. The same applies to the CE mark inside Europe.

mfm posted a link to Lighthound's sale page for the Soshine. Wouldn't that be a case where it is sold by a US retailer?

 

[Mr Happy]

mfm posted a link to Lighthound's sale page for the Soshine. Wouldn't that be a case where it is sold by a US retailer?

As mfm indicated, it might in fact pose a problem for US retailers.

You've got to use your judgment here. Is the product you are considering widely sold by retailers in the US market?

 

[mdocod]

mdocod, what tipped you off that this UL mark was falsified?

Here's a few things to consider:

The cost of getting the UL marking on a charger intended for a very small audience of enthusiasts is not even cost effective.

I do not believe that any charger designed with the expressed intent of charging loose li-ion cells would even qualify for a UL marking.

This particular charger had very dodgy build quality internally.

The charging algorithm used (a strange pulse method) is not listed as a proper charging method by any li-ion cell manufacture I am aware of.

Charge voltages during charging would repeatedly trip the over-charge protection of protected cells during each charge pulse. Charging is listed as CC/CV on the sites that sell this thing, but the actual charging method is nothing close to that. I confirmed this though testing. I reported my findings in another thread...

The Pila IBC doesn't even have a UL marking, even though it is one of the only li-ion loose-cell chargers on the market that charges cells correctly. I doubt that even tried to apply for it for reasons already mentioned, but if they did, even though the charger does a god job, there is a strong likelihood that even the IBC would not be able to secure a true UL marking.

-Eric

PS: if you see a UL marking on a product whose target audience is relatively small, being sold at a place like DX, you can assume that it has been faked, the SoShine is one of many examples of UL markings that are fake. I'm seeing reports of many chinese li-ion cells that have UL markings on them, including some AW cells. This bothers me. At this time, I assume them all to be fake markings.

 

[AW]

I can see some assumptions here are not correct. Most international product certifications can be obtained in China through CQC :

http://www.cqc.com.cn/English/index.asp

My early products had been certified through applications by the factory but subsequent fees ( including annual fees + quarterly site inspection fees ) are making things impossible. BTW, UL marking
is not mandatory for rechargeable batteries so there is really no reason to fake one.

 

[NutSAK]

Charge voltages during charging would repeatedly trip the over-charge protection of protected cells during each charge pulse. Charging is listed as CC/CV on the sites that sell this thing, but the actual charging method is nothing close to that. I confirmed this though testing. I reported my findings in another thread...

Thanks for your comments mdocod. I remember the charger comparison thread that you refer to very well. I refer back to it quite often for the tech specs on the various Li-Ion chargers.