WARNING! DO NOT BUY ALIEXPRESS CAPACITORS!

[czbaterka]

DO NOT BUY ALIEXPRESS CAPACITORS! 1uF 50V (RS branded) capacitor from this package https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006515170970.html just exploded into my eyes when I was debugging a new board. TWICE!
After testing another in a box, I am sure they are all fake... Rated maybe for like 10V because the explosion is very violent 😄 Take a look 😄

[SteveThackery]

Wow!!

Thanks for the warning. But FWIW I don't trust AliExpress for any components. I always go to a big player like RS or Farnell.

Why are we so sanguine about the Chinese selling us fake components? In fact fake all sorts of items?

Why do the Chinese think it's OK? Do they feel contempt for us in the West?

[incf]

That's awesome! Actually, I mean.... that stinks.

I worked for an Asian company for a number of years - and conning a sucker was something they took great pride in doing. "If you can't trick a gullible fool [westerners whom they viewed as dumb and backwards, sometimes rightly so], it means you are less than they are, and therefore it follows that you surely must be one yourself" was the sort of thinking and values they seemed to enjoy. And it worked practically every single time without meaningful consequence. (As always, the "art" is in the outcome)

[SteveThackery]

I worked for an Asian company for a number of years - and conning a sucker was something they took great pride in doing. "If you can't trick a gullible fool [westerners whom they viewed as dumb and backwards, sometimes rightly so], it means you are less than they are, and therefore it follows that you surely must be one yourself" was the sort of thinking and values they seemed to enjoy. And it worked practically every single time without meaningful consequence. (As always, the "art" is in the outcome)

Fuck me, that's like they're a nation of psychopaths - absolutely zero empathy, absolutely no qualms about ripping us off, absolutely no respect for their customers, and incidentally, absolutely no respect for IP..... I could go on. I hope the bastard who re-labelled those caps gets his balls blown off, the fucker.

PS: I hope you got the polarity of your power supply right! 😄. It looks like you did.

[Psi]

Also possible the cap is fine but the sleeving got put on around the wrong way, so polarity is wrong

[wraper]

Most likely they screwed up polarity during manufacturing. You can try connecting them in reverse polarity and see what happens.

[incf]

I don't know... working in that environment for a number of years lead me to believe they were generally correct in their assessment of westerners like me. Poorly educated (taught and cultured nonsense), backwards, naive, etc. Not nice words or concepts, but they were fairly systematic and well organized in the ways that "mattered" (and quite the opposite in all of the "irrelevant" areas of practice) The world is a tough place, and it cares nothing about "fairness."

Some of their technical designs left a great deal to be desired, but they got paid, and the customers got deeply invested in doing things the so called "Won Hung Lo" way

"you want too good to be true? you get too good to be true!" ('and maybe you deserve it too?' no think before you ask!)

[czbaterka]

Yes I did, but the spark seems to indicate that it was most probably labeled opposite...

[czbaterka]

Yeah. The sparks when connecting are probably the indication. And the fact that only 4 out of 6 tested has failed also supports that.

The package also have some from other brand and those seems to be fine..

[richnormand]

@incf
Sounds like a variation of
"If you are not cheating, you are not trying hard enough...."

@wraper
"screwed up polarity during manufacturing"
Interesting point.
Is it possible to read the leakage current at rated voltage in both direction to find out the right one?

But I do remember getting a bargain wheel strip of 100  30uF 25V caps in the past where some were reading an ESR in the several 100 ohms while others were perfectly in specs.... variation was wild.
I dumped them all.

[temperance]

Oh, really, an other one? How much money did you save by buying those capacitors on aliexpress. 0.5 cent. And now you come and cry AND WARNING PEOPLE because YOU DID SOMETHING STUPID AND some cheap capacitors ruined your day?

IN ORDER TO AVOID SUCH STUPID TOPICS I WOULD LIKE TO FIX THIS FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL: DON'T BUY ANYTHING ON ALI FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES AND IF YOU DO, DON'T COMPLAIN:

Women's Fashion: Dresses, Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, Lingerie, Swimwear, Plus Size Clothing, etc.
Men's Fashion: T-Shirts, Shirts, Jackets, Pants, Jeans, Suits, Hoodies, etc.
Phones & Telecommunications: Cellphones, Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phone Parts, Communication Equipment.
Computer & Office: Laptops, Desktops, Tablets, Computer Components, Peripherals (keyboards, mice), Storage Devices, Networking Equipment, Office Electronics, 3D Printing.
Consumer Electronics: Smartwatches, Headphones, Speakers, Cameras & Photo, Smart Home Appliances, Video Games, Portable Audio & Video, Home Audio & Video.
Jewelry & Accessories: Necklaces, Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, Brooches, Hair Jewelry, Fashion Accessories, Watches.
Home & Garden: Home Decor, Home Textile, Kitchen, Dining & Bar, Household Merchandise, Pet Products, Garden Supplies, Arts, Crafts & Sewing, Festive & Party Supplies.
Lights & Lighting: LED Lamps, Chandeliers, Indoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Lighting Accessories.
Sports & Entertainment: Fitness & Body Building, Camping & Hiking, Cycling, Water Sports, Team Sports, Fishing, Hunting, Musical Instruments, Racquet Sports, Skiing & Snowboarding, Entertainment (e.g., puzzles, games).
Health & Beauty: Makeup, Skincare, Hair Care, Nail Art & Tools, Personal Care Appliances, Health Care, Tattoo & Body Art, Oral Hygiene.
Automobiles & Motorcycles: Car Electronics, Interior Accessories, Exterior Parts, Car Repair Tools, Auto Replacement Parts, Motorcycle Accessories & Parts.
Home Improvement: Electrical Equipment & Supplies, Hardware, Bathroom Fixtures, Kitchen Fixtures, Plumbing, Doors, Gates & Windows, Heating, Cooling & Vents, Painting Supplies.
Toys & Hobbies: Dolls & Stuffed Toys, Building & Construction Toys, Remote Control Toys, Games & Puzzles, Learning & Education, Classic Toys, Action & Toy Figures, Hobby & Collectibles.
Shoes & Bags: Women's Shoes, Men's Shoes, Children's Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Sneakers, Backpacks, Handbags, Wallets, Luggage.
Mother & Kids: Baby Clothing, Toddler Clothing, Baby Shoes, Diapering, Baby Feeding, Strollers & Accessories, Safety & Gear, Maternity.
Security & Protection: Video Surveillance, Access Control, Security Alarm, Self Defense Supplies, Workplace Safety.
Tools: Hand Tools, Power Tools, Measurement & Analysis Instruments, Machine Tools & Accessories, Garden Tools, Tool Sets.
Hair Extensions & Wigs: Human Hair, Synthetic Hair, Hair Tools & Accessories.
Food: (Less common for international shipping of fresh goods, often includes dried goods, snacks, coffee, tea, and sometimes specialized food products.)
Office & School Supplies: Pens, Pencils & Writing Supplies, Notebooks & Writing Pads, School Supplies, Art Supplies, Desk Accessories.
Electronic Components & Supplies: Active Components, Passive Components, Integrated Circuits, Connectors, Cables, Sensors.

[thm_w]

Good video, thats a disturbingly long time before it blew up. I was thinking it would go in a few seconds.

[TimFox]

I find use of the name Ali Baba and its variants interesting.
In the Thousand and One Nights, otherwise known as the Arabian Nights, collection of folklore, there is a famous story that was added to the original collection by a French translator:  "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".
In that story, the poor woodcutter Ali Baba is an honest man who discovers the cache of a gang of thieves, guarded by the password "Open Sesame".
The thieves, in turn, try to kill him, but his faithful slave-girl foils them, and he gains the treasure.
Later, especially in Asian cultures, the story has been inverted to make reference to Ali Baba as a thief, as in the admonition "Be careful, there are many Ali Babas here."

[wraper]

Is it possible to read the leakage current at rated voltage in both direction to find out witch is the right one?

You don't need rated voltage. Apply lower voltage and measure leakage current. Correct polarity will have lower current.

But I do remember getting a bargain wheel strip of 100  30uF 25V caps in the past where some were reading an ESR in the several 100 ohms while others were perfectly in specs.... variation was wild.
I dumped them all.

They could be just old capacitors of not particularly good quality in some some of which electrolyte dried out due to age.

[SteveThackery]

The world is a tough place, and it cares nothing about "fairness."

I was talking about trust rather than fairness. When I shop at my supermarket I trust completely that they are not deliberately marking up a 250g product as 300g. When I reach for a bottle of Coca Cola I trust completely that they haven't deliberately put a Coca Cola label on their cheaper own brand Cola.

I buy most of my tools from an outlet called Screwfix. They have never sold me a fake DeWalt drill. When I bought a Sherline lathe from America I knew for certain that I would get a genuine Sherline because I trust Americans. Here in Britain we don't sell fake or substandard cars, steel or automotive components to the US, because it would be wrong. We are not that kind of people. Plus we don't want the US doing that to us.

Trust is everywhere. Trust is the basis for almost every relationship.  So why do we tolerate the Chinese treating us like that? We just sigh, and say "Should have known better, what do you expect?"

Personally I detest being treated like a mug by AliExpress sellers. They lie or mislead most of the time. It is blatant, bare-faced, and shameless.

It is not OK. Fuck them.

[all_repair]

There are many types of sellers on aliexpress.  As long as you have not signed off, then Aliexpress can get you back the money.

The English speaking Chinese selling to the West, either work on big volume for big order, which means buyers shall be qualifying, etc etc and problem here is tarrif and occasional some workers trying to cheat without the boss knowing.

Other than that, for lesser value, you are dealing with drop shippers.  To maximise profit, the drop shippers are not going to source for the highest quality or even normal parts to sell.  Factory rejects are sold with clear labeling on China street, the drop shipper likely pick those and sell you.  Don't expect your seller to know electronics, they know English and sell everything.

[coppercone2]

I am certain that wars were started (probably long forgotten) when a 'government' decided to defend shitty merchants. Sounds exactly like why a village might attack another village lol, or conflicts between city states

Like the unification of Egypt. Or Incas. You would wonder why the hell people want to make a central authority spanning thousands of miles when you don't even have wheeled vehicles. Part of it was probobly to ensure quality standards for trade goods. Rigged communal balances in trade centers, skimming, adulteration, lies about remaining shelf life...

Like if there is way too much scamming coming from some foreign place it eventually becomes easier to attack them then to try to teach people to avoid them.*

I am just saying honest trade is probably important on a long term

Just because you value a culture above others does not really change anything related to market value for physical goods. They are there on the planet along with the other crap, have mass, etc.


*sometimes I wonder how much "tribute" that armies asked for might just be a payback fee for shitty internal policing of merchants that deal with external customers. Like if the Roman army shows up and asks for a pound of silver.  Some of it was probably pure burglary but I assume that they had lots of spies, informants, etc that would bring complaints to someone like the king/pharaoh/emperor. There must have been some useful stuff he was doing besides the 'divinity' role. Things like that this town is known to scam hungry poor travelers, ripped off the grain merchant, etc. I find it hard to believe that people were LESS practical back then then now. I think basic history lumps this into "administrative roles" and makes it out that its like some power hungry city planner lol.. I bet its more like a ghetto court system / fbi

[Psi]

I found some fake caps years ago in an ESC.
The printing just wiped off with your finger.

[radiolistener]

DO NOT BUY ALIEXPRESS CAPACITORS! 1uF 50V (RS branded) capacitor from this package, just exploded into my eyes when I was debugging a new board. TWICE!
After testing another in a box, I am sure they are all fake... Rated maybe for like 10V because the explosion is very violent 😄 Take a look 😄

That is a lack of experience, their Volts, Amps and Watts are different than our, and you didn't take this into account. 

[anvoice]

Personally, while I understand the resentment after purchasing something (especially a possibly safety-critical component like a capacitor) that should work properly only to find that it doesn't, Aliexpress in general is popular for a reason: vastly reduced prices for electronics, with the quality to price ratio often being quite high. Yes, you need to test much of what is sold, and they do mess up occasionally, and sell a lot of fake products (Jewellery from Aliexpress? Not a good idea). It is unlikely that they would try to completely rip you off on electronics though, because then you'll just get your money back without sending them back the bad part, as shipping back to China is typically notoriously expensive. True, I would not purchase something that I can't afford to have failing from them, unless I can test it properly from the start to exclude such a possibility. So do your diligence to buy only what is more or less safe, and test, test, test. Just my opinion.

[pcprogrammer]

Personally, while I understand the resentment after purchasing something (especially a possibly safety-critical component like a capacitor) that should work properly only to find that it doesn't, Aliexpress in general is popular for a reason: vastly reduced prices for electronics, with the quality to price ratio often being quite high. Yes, you need to test much of what is sold, and they do mess up occasionally, and sell a lot of fake products (Jewellery from Aliexpress? Not a good idea). It is unlikely that they would try to completely rip you off on electronics though, because then you'll just get your money back without sending them back the bad part, as shipping back to China is typically notoriously expensive. True, I would not purchase something that I can't afford to have failing from them, unless I can test it properly from the start to exclude such a possibility. So do your diligence to buy only what is more or less safe, and test, test, test. Just my opinion.

That is my opinion too.

I do buy a lot of electronics related stuff on Aliexpress and my overall experience is not to bad. Sure there are fake components and under spec appliances, but as long as you keep this in mind and test what you receive as much as possible, there is no reason not to do it.

My latest, somewhat expected, bad experience was with two power supplies. One rated 12V 5A for euro 3.52 and the other 12V 6A for euro 5.52. The 5A only did 1A at nominal voltage and went down to ~5V at 3A. The 6A worked fine to ~3A and went to ~0V at 3.5A. Due to having a good reputation, I got my money back without having to return the supplies.

With active SMD components, my experiences are that when the components are still in the tape from a reel, they usually are what they are supposed to be. When loose in a bag, not so much.

There are reputable sellers on the platform, you just need to find them, and when you did, stick with them.

@every negative remarker on cultural and national differences!!!!
As to cultural issues, there are bad things to say about every single one on the planet, so cut the crap on that and look at your own culture, and maybe more, yourself first.

[jonpaul]

Change title?

 DO NOT BUY ALIEXPRESS CCP commie junk

[Psi]

I do buy a lot of electronics related stuff on Aliexpress and my overall experience is not to bad. Sure there are fake components and under spec appliances, but as long as you keep this in mind and test what you receive as much as possible, there is no reason not to do it.

Yep, if you're getting 50-90% off the normal price there is going to be a downside.
Thankfully the fact that you sometimes get fake stuff means that you get legit stuff a lot of the time.

[MariuszD]

IN ORDER TO AVOID SUCH STUPID TOPICS I WOULD LIKE TO FIX THIS FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL: DON'T BUY ANYTHING ON ALI FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES AND IF YOU DO, DON'T COMPLAIN:

Women's Fashion: Dresses, Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, Lingerie, Swimwear, Plus Size Clothing, etc.
Men's Fashion: T-Shirts, Shirts, Jackets, Pants, Jeans, Suits, Hoodies, etc.
Phones & Telecommunications: Cellphones, Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phone Parts, Communication Equipment.
Computer & Office: Laptops, Desktops, Tablets, Computer Components, Peripherals (keyboards, mice), Storage Devices, Networking Equipment, Office Electronics, 3D Printing.
Consumer Electronics: Smartwatches, Headphones, Speakers, Cameras & Photo, Smart Home Appliances, Video Games, Portable Audio & Video, Home Audio & Video.
Jewelry & Accessories: Necklaces, Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, Brooches, Hair Jewelry, Fashion Accessories, Watches.
Home & Garden: Home Decor, Home Textile, Kitchen, Dining & Bar, Household Merchandise, Pet Products, Garden Supplies, Arts, Crafts & Sewing, Festive & Party Supplies.
Lights & Lighting: LED Lamps, Chandeliers, Indoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Lighting Accessories.
Sports & Entertainment: Fitness & Body Building, Camping & Hiking, Cycling, Water Sports, Team Sports, Fishing, Hunting, Musical Instruments, Racquet Sports, Skiing & Snowboarding, Entertainment (e.g., puzzles, games).
Health & Beauty: Makeup, Skincare, Hair Care, Nail Art & Tools, Personal Care Appliances, Health Care, Tattoo & Body Art, Oral Hygiene.
Automobiles & Motorcycles: Car Electronics, Interior Accessories, Exterior Parts, Car Repair Tools, Auto Replacement Parts, Motorcycle Accessories & Parts.
Home Improvement: Electrical Equipment & Supplies, Hardware, Bathroom Fixtures, Kitchen Fixtures, Plumbing, Doors, Gates & Windows, Heating, Cooling & Vents, Painting Supplies.
Toys & Hobbies: Dolls & Stuffed Toys, Building & Construction Toys, Remote Control Toys, Games & Puzzles, Learning & Education, Classic Toys, Action & Toy Figures, Hobby & Collectibles.
Shoes & Bags: Women's Shoes, Men's Shoes, Children's Shoes, Boots, Sandals, Sneakers, Backpacks, Handbags, Wallets, Luggage.
Mother & Kids: Baby Clothing, Toddler Clothing, Baby Shoes, Diapering, Baby Feeding, Strollers & Accessories, Safety & Gear, Maternity.
Security & Protection: Video Surveillance, Access Control, Security Alarm, Self Defense Supplies, Workplace Safety.
Tools: Hand Tools, Power Tools, Measurement & Analysis Instruments, Machine Tools & Accessories, Garden Tools, Tool Sets.
Hair Extensions & Wigs: Human Hair, Synthetic Hair, Hair Tools & Accessories.
Food: (Less common for international shipping of fresh goods, often includes dried goods, snacks, coffee, tea, and sometimes specialized food products.)
Office & School Supplies: Pens, Pencils & Writing Supplies, Notebooks & Writing Pads, School Supplies, Art Supplies, Desk Accessories.
Electronic Components & Supplies: Active Components, Passive Components, Integrated Circuits, Connectors, Cables, Sensors.

Impressive list. Is it complete list of all Ali categories? Is there anything left? Anything safe to buy?

[Aldo22]

Well, Aliexpress is just a platform that gives the buyer certain guarantees and standards in the process.
The other thing is the dealers there, some of whom are for sure selling junk.
But you can also buy Fluke or Siglent etc. from Aliexpress and they are certainly not of poorer quality.
Sometimes you can tell by the price whether it is “too cheap to be good”.

I have bought a lot on Aliexpress and have only had positive experiences.
Incorrect deliveries etc. have always been refunded without any fuss.

It's a question of personal preference.
If you want to play it safe, buy elsewhere, but at a much higher price.