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Counterfeit parts..
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james_s:

--- Quote from: peter-h on September 29, 2019, 11:45:07 am ---When it comes to microprocessors, the counterfeit ones are usually non functional - just an empty package.


--- End quote ---

I think more often they take whatever useless random IC they can find cheaply in the right package and re-mark it as a microcontroller. I recall several years ago one of the maker oriented companies got screwed with a batch of AVRs that were actually motherboard buck regulator ICs.
all_repair:

--- Quote from: peter-h on September 29, 2019, 10:16:16 am ---Yes, USD 5 was a good price, when the UK disti price was GBP 9.

--- End quote ---
Likely your supplier sourced around.  And at that qty and price, it was a good invitation to laser marked something to fulfill your order.  Your supplier also got hit, likely their offered price was less than USD2.50, or maybe even less than USD1.00.  The one who actual laser marked is usually not the one making the bulk of the profit.  They are paid about the labour rate.  The last 2 contacts before the actual buyer normally take the largest cut.

I got hit for mostly my MOSFET.  I suspect some I bought from E14, DigiKey and Mousers are also fake.  Ended up those 2nd hand MOSFETs from China are more reliable than the brand new.  I did not keep good record for them, mostly used for repair.  New one are failing after 1 to 3 hours.
JackJones:

--- Quote from: james_s on September 30, 2019, 05:22:58 am ---
--- Quote from: peter-h on September 29, 2019, 11:45:07 am ---When it comes to microprocessors, the counterfeit ones are usually non functional - just an empty package.


--- End quote ---

I think more often they take whatever useless random IC they can find cheaply in the right package and re-mark it as a microcontroller. I recall several years ago one of the maker oriented companies got screwed with a batch of AVRs that were actually motherboard buck regulator ICs.

--- End quote ---

It was Sparkfun, ATmega328s turned out to be NCP5318 buck regulators.

Story in four parts:
https://www.sparkfun.com/news/350
https://www.sparkfun.com/news/364
https://www.sparkfun.com/news/384
https://www.sparkfun.com/news/395

Interestingly the die inside wasn't a released version but "pre-release engineering material". Makes me wonder how someone got their hands on them?
peter-h:
AFAICT the main supplier we had never got hit. The duff parts came from a new source.

The reason so many H8s were being sold off is most likely one of

- a large user sold off excess stock

- Hitachi's last time buy announcement forced stockists with stock to dispose of it at any price

It was a 1980s-era processor after all :)

The stock was about 10 years old. Perfectly packed. There is a lot of good stuff to be found, mostly in the US. But you have to be careful and never pay in advance for any large purchase.
Deodand2014:
A video discussing how to determine if a particular chip is rebadged or not.



Basically, acetone is your friend...
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