Possible counterfeit parts with a GE logo

[nermal]

Last week we had some JAN2N1774A SCRs fail in a system. Failure was due
to poor/defective workmanship. The date/code was 9240 (40th week of
1992). I read somewhere that GE quit manufacturing SCRs sometime around
1987.

Externally these do not match the 1981 -1983 date code parts at all.
The die was also different. Today I received a "9242 JANTX2N1774A" that
had the same external and internal construction. I suspected that it
was also counterfeit: the device markings were removed from the case
when it was wiped with a Q-tip saturated with Isopropyl alcohol.

(Note: JAN parts are required to pass a marking permanency test that
uses stronger solvents than just pure Isopropyl Alcohol.

Does any one out there know when GE shut down their semiconductor
plants? I tried looking up the history of GE on the net (I also
searched the GIDEP archives for GE semiconductors issues but with no luck).

Thanks,
Nermal

 

[legg]

Last week we had some JAN2N1774A SCRs fail in a system. Failure was due
to poor/defective workmanship. The date/code was 9240 (40th week of
1992). I read somewhere that GE quit manufacturing SCRs sometime around
1987.

Externally these do not match the 1981 -1983 date code parts at all.
The die was also different. Today I received a "9242 JANTX2N1774A" that
had the same external and internal construction. I suspected that it
was also counterfeit: the device markings were removed from the case
when it was wiped with a Q-tip saturated with Isopropyl alcohol.

(Note: JAN parts are required to pass a marking permanency test that
uses stronger solvents than just pure Isopropyl Alcohol.

Does any one out there know when GE shut down their semiconductor
plants? I tried looking up the history of GE on the net (I also
searched the GIDEP archives for GE semiconductors issues but with no luck).

I believe Mitsubishi, Weatinghouse and GE formed Powerex to handle
power semiconductors. Their first edition data book was published in
1991. They marketed the 2N1770-8 series in a package which does not
claim to conform to a TO-XX outline, though I see little difference to
TO-64.. Only the 2N1770A-1778A series was offered as JANTX.

Early JAN , JANTX parts were not usually single-sourced, nor do the
JEDEC designators generally specify wafer dimensions or
metalization/doping patterns.

I have no info on JAN semiconductor marking, save that repeated wiping
and scrubbing with IPA will remove marks from some older packages.

It's a poor repair effort that ends up blaming the semiconductor for
subsequent failure.

RL

RL

 

[Mr. J D]

Last week we had some JAN2N1774A SCRs fail in a system. Failure was due
to poor/defective workmanship. The date/code was 9240 (40th week of
1992). I read somewhere that GE quit manufacturing SCRs sometime around
1987.

Externally these do not match the 1981 -1983 date code parts at all.
The die was also different. Today I received a "9242 JANTX2N1774A" that
had the same external and internal construction. I suspected that it
was also counterfeit: the device markings were removed from the case
when it was wiped with a Q-tip saturated with Isopropyl alcohol.

(Note: JAN parts are required to pass a marking permanency test that
uses stronger solvents than just pure Isopropyl Alcohol.

Does any one out there know when GE shut down their semiconductor
plants? I tried looking up the history of GE on the net (I also
searched the GIDEP archives for GE semiconductors issues but with no luck).

Thanks,
Nermal

People say the same thing about some ICs bought from RadioShacks. Are
you sure GE didnt form another company to handle the semiconductors?
Motorola "stopped" making semiconductors also. But in reality they
actually moved the semiconductors to a different company name, however
they still slap on the Motorola insignia on to their chips. Same thing
may have happend with your SCRs.

 

[nermal]

Thanks -
That is correct. My question: does your data book list a GE logo or the
General Electric name?

I believe Mitsubishi, Weatinghouse and GE formed Powerex to handle
power semiconductors. Their first edition data book was published in
1991. They marketed the 2N1770-8 series in a package which does not
claim to conform to a TO-XX outline, though I see little difference to
TO-64.. Only the 2N1770A-1778A series was offered as JANTX.

Early JAN , JANTX parts were not usually single-sourced, nor do the
JEDEC designators generally specify wafer dimensions or
metalization/doping patterns.

The old JAN style packages all survived scrubbing with IPA. Our company
performed DPA on all new Date/Codes on all JAN parts. The old GE SCRs
all used the same die. The suspect Date/Code had two different die as
well as defective crimps on the CATHODE leads which resulted in an "open
circuit" upon first 'power up'. The SCRs were basically DOA.

 

[legg]

Thanks -

I'm looking at a dozen JTX2N1777A scrs with PRX datecodes of 89 and
90, source code CECC. I suspect that a GE datecode later than this is
odd.

JAN components are traceable.

Perhaps the problem is paperwork that specifies a GE part? This would
create a demand that would be hard to fill, opening the door to
'innovators'.
RL

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

People say the same thing about some ICs bought from RadioShacks. Are
you sure GE didnt form another company to handle the semiconductors?
Motorola "stopped" making semiconductors also. But in reality they
actually moved the semiconductors to a different company name, however
they still slap on the Motorola insignia on to their chips. Same thing
may have happend with your SCRs.

No, they used the ON logo, and the CPUs are Freescale. They are
fully owned, but separate companies. I saw parts marked with ON as soon
as we ran out of our existing Motorola stock. On the other hand, Radio
Shack bought a lot of surplus parts. Where else would they get 20 year
old ICs and have them in their latest packaging? I knew a surplus
dealer that sold bulk parts to them.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[PhattyMo]

Last week we had some JAN2N1774A SCRs fail in a system. Failure was due
to poor/defective workmanship. The date/code was 9240 (40th week of
1992). I read somewhere that GE quit manufacturing SCRs sometime around
1987.

Externally these do not match the 1981 -1983 date code parts at all.
The die was also different. Today I received a "9242 JANTX2N1774A" that
had the same external and internal construction. I suspected that it
was also counterfeit: the device markings were removed from the case
when it was wiped with a Q-tip saturated with Isopropyl alcohol.

(Note: JAN parts are required to pass a marking permanency test that
uses stronger solvents than just pure Isopropyl Alcohol.

Does any one out there know when GE shut down their semiconductor
plants? I tried looking up the history of GE on the net (I also
searched the GIDEP archives for GE semiconductors issues but with no luck).

Thanks,
Nermal

Fake parts have become an issue in the last few years..Alot of the Audio
guys have had big problems with amplifiers because of fake parts.
There's a couple threads about it on www.diyaudio.com
BUYER BEWARE!

 

[Mr. J D]

Fake parts have become an issue in the last few years..Alot of the Audio
guys have had big problems with amplifiers because of fake parts.
There's a couple threads about it on www.diyaudio.com
BUYER BEWARE!

I think that most people who call shinanagins on fake parts, just dont
know how to use them correctly.

 

[Joel Kolstad]

I think that most people who call shinanagins on fake parts, just dont
know how to use them correctly.

Unless you're doing really mundane designs, it's pretty hard to use a part
correctly if it's a fake...

 

[nermal]

The ones that I saw did not have a source code on them. The latest
"1983" devices had a source code on them and were packaged in an
original vapor barrier bag (dated 1987).

On the old style GEs the GATE and CATHODE terminals exited the case
trough a ceramic "lid" on top of the case. The hex and stud was copper,
the lid was Kovar (Fe, Ni, Co), and plated with pure tin.

The new style "GEs" the GATE and CATHODE leads exited the top through a
glass seal. The case (lid and stud) was a Fe alloy with just a trace of
Ni. The plating was pure Ni.

We are tracking down the paperwork for the "new" GE devices, in the
meantime the new GE lots have been quarantined. We did find a certified
source for JANTX2N1774A SCRs.

I suspect the new "GE" SCRs were some from some manufacturers commercial
lot that were 'rescued' from the dumpster out back. There is a lot of
profit to be made by stamping a JAN or JANTX prefix.

thanks everyone,
Nermal