Dangers in Gray Market Crouse Hinds Products

What is the gray market?

The Gray Market is a term that is used to describe the resale of new or used fittings, glands, Nema 7 explosion proof boxes, lighting, using channels other than those intended by the original manufacturer.

Crouse Hinds products sold by parties other than authorized dealers have a high potential risk of being purchased after the product has been tampered or altered. Even worse, unknown to the buyer, the product may even be counterfeit or used. We at Spike Electric Controls value authenticity and make every effort to protect consumers from The Gray Market.

Know the signs of a gray market product:

• The warranty is not backed by the factory, but instead backed by the reseller. Make sure to ask the vendor if the original manufacturer of the Crouse Hinds fittings, glands, Nema 7 explosion proof boxes, lighting, or any other apparatus is backed by their warranty.
• The company selling the product claims the products are manufactured in the same factory as Crouse Hinds but they have no proof of this.
• The company that is supplying an electrical assembly cannot prove that they purchased it through an authorized Crouse Hinds distributor.
• The product is not sold in its original packaging.
• The product looks like it may have been previously installed. Be sure to check the threads.
• The label on the carton has been removed or tampered.
• The product has been sand blasted & re-powder coated, or it is not the original manufacturer’s paint code.
• A label has been partially cut off from the new in-box material or did not come in a box from the factory.

What’s the danger in these counterfeit Crouse Hinds products?

There is an increased risk of malfunction and failure with counterfeit products, leaving people vulnerable to the following potential dangers:

• Fires
• Property Damage
• Electrical shock
• Equipment Failure
• Overheating
• Seals Failing
• Rusting of Re-powder Coated Products
• Nema 7 Enclosures not containing an internal explosion