Product pirates not only sell counterfeit compressors, they also bring low-quality oils into the market. In Asia, for example, counterfeiters partly disguised their imitations with the Bitzer name and logo, presenting major risks. Bitzer recently discovered several fake oils in Vietnam, where a local company was illegally declaring and selling containers with low-quality oil as original products from Bitzer. According to the label, the high-quality oils B320SH, BSE32, BSE170, and B100 should be in the containers. However, they contained oils of inferior quality whose chemical formulation differs greatly from the high quality of the originals.

Bitzer has investigated the counterfeiting and expressly warns customers against the possible risks associated with their use. The viscosity characteristics, moisture content, and chemical formulation are very different from the original products.

Using the fake product can lead to insufficient lubrication of compressors, chemical reaction, destruction of elastomers, and, thus, great damage. In the imitation oil of the type BSE170, the moisture content exceeded the permissible values significantly. It was three-times higher than the permissible value. High moisture content in polyolester oils, like BSE170, is particularly critical because it leads to hydrolysis with the result of acid formation in the refrigerant circuit. This, in turn, causes copper plating and damage of critical moving parts, like roller bearings as well as possible motor burn-out. This can in consequence trigger very high costs for compressor exchange and measures for system dehydration and acid catching.

The use of counterfeit oils has a negative impact on the performance, safety, and service life of Bitzer compressors. Users should avoid these risks. In the end, the consequences of supposedly cheap forgeries are by far more expensive than the expected savings. The original refrigeration oils certified by Bitzer offer users more safety and have positive effects on the compressor’s life. Customers who have concerns about the origin of their lubricant are invited to contact their local Bitzer representative for advice.

Publication date: 5/24/2017

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!