How to Identify Fake Chips

With the shortages, desperate OEMs are looking to unconventional suppliers and that raises another problem?– fakes.

Common indications of a fake are:

1. The index mark engraved on the package to show the direction of installation can be wrongly positioned.
2. There are abnormalities in the lead frame.?
3. The numbers pressed into the upper part of the package to show the date of production have been changed.
4. Misspellings on the manufacturers labels
5. Scratches or sanding marks
6. Verification that the date code on the label match dates codes on the parts
7. Date codes that are not possible. ex. 2057
8. Date codes that are in the future.

Some of the fakes are chips taken out of discarded electronic equipment and passed off as new.

Some are chips that failed to meet quality standards.

Some have changed the manufacturer’s name or model number on the package.?

What are you tips to identify fake chips?