CCA Cable vs Copper Cable: What You Need to Know？

In network cabling, the comparison of CCA cable and copper cable is a common and crucial topic. CCA cables are attractive to some users because of their lower cost, but they often have inferior performance and reliability compared to pure copper cables. Choosing between these cables can impact network stability, safety, and long-term costs. This article will explore the differences between these two types of cables in detail, helping you make a more informed decision.

CCA Cable vs Copper Cable: What's the Difference?

CCA (Copper-Clad Aluminum) cables are Ethernet cables with an aluminum core coated with a thin layer of copper. The primary reason for manufacturing these cables is to reduce costs. However, CCA cables are considered inferior cables. Pure copper cables are the most commonly used Ethernet cables, offering superior performance and safety compared to CCA cables. While CCA cables and solid copper cables may appear similar, this resemblance often leads to confusion. Still, there are significant differences in their performance and quality.

Mechanical Characteristics

• CCA cables are lighter and softer due to their aluminum core, which makes them more flexible than pure copper cables. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of reduced tensile strength, making them more susceptible to breaking.

• Pure copper cables offer superior mechanical properties with better ductility and higher durability. They are less prone to damage and generally require less maintenance over their lifetime.

Electrical Performance

• CCA cables, with their higher resistance, may experience signal degradation over longer distances, leading to potential data loss and reduced network performance.

• In contrast, the conductivity of pure copper cables is superior to aluminum, allowing for easier transmission of electrical current with less resistance. This results in faster, more integrated signals with minimal loss, which is crucial for high-speed data transmission.

Cost Considerations

• The cost of CCA cables is generally lower than that of pure copper cables, which can be an attractive feature for budget-conscious projects. The lighter weight of CCA cables also contributes to reduced installation and transportation costs compared to the heavier pure copper cables.

• Despite the initial cost savings, pure copper cables may offer better value in the long run due to their enhanced performance, durability, and lower maintenance requirements.

CCA vs copper cable: the specifics of the mechanical and electrical performance are shown in the chart below.

Specifications	Aluminum	CCA Cable	Copper Cable
Weight of conductor (g/cm³)	2.70	3.639	8.96
Specific heat capacity (J/(kg·℃)	0.88×10³	0.79×10³	0.39×10³
Density (kg./dm³)	2.70	3.63	8.90
Resistance (%)	62	68	101
Conductivity (S/m)*106	35.86	39.15	58.5
Impedance (Ω mm²/m)	0.0279	0.0255	0.0171
Extension Rate (%)	8-15	15-25	15-20
Tensile Strength (N/mm²)	100-160	150-230	220-300

CCA Cable vs Copper Cable: Why Copper Cable Is Better Than CCA Cable?

The only apparent advantage of CCA cable vs copper cable is its lower price. However, choosing CCA cable to save money on your wiring project is unwise. CCA cable is potentially dangerous and could even pose a fire hazard. Choosing network cables with pure copper conductors is undoubtedly the right choice, as they significantly outperform CCA cables in various aspects.

Superior Conductivity

Copper cables provide excellent conductivity due to their low resistivity, allowing for efficient transmission of electrical signals. Unlike CCA cables, which suffer from high signal loss, copper cables maintain signal integrity over long distances, ensuring consistent data transmission.

Ideal for PoE Deployments

Copper cables are perfectly suited for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. With lower DC resistance, copper conductors can supply the necessary power to PoE devices without significant voltage drop or heat buildup, unlike CCA cables, which may lead to equipment damage due to their higher resistance.

Enhanced Flexibility and Durability

Copper cables are known for their flexibility and durability. They can withstand bending and movement without breaking, which is a common issue with brittle CCA cables. The robustness of copper cables makes them ideal for installations where cables may be subject to movement or stress.

Resistance to Oxidation and Corrosion

Copper cables are less susceptible to oxidation and corrosion compared to CCA cables. While aluminum in CCA cables reacts with air and forms a non-conductive oxide, copper oxide remains conductive, ensuring long-term reliability and performance of the network infrastructure.

Compliance With Industry Standards

Copper cables meet the stringent requirements of UL and TIA standards, which are essential for professional networks. These standards prohibit using CCA conductors in various categories of network cables, recognizing the superiority and safety of copper in long-term network operations.

CCA Cable vs Copper Cable: How to Identify？

To avoid purchasing inferior CCA cable or if you suspect you have already bought CCA cable, here are several ways to identify whether the conductor is CCA cable or 100% copper.

• Check the Weight: CCA cable is much lighter than copper cables of the same length. However, to avoid errors, remove the cable completely from the packaging, as some manufacturers use additional materials to make the package heavier.

• Test Flexibility: Separate the wires and strip the insulation. Twist the exposed conductor up and down a few times. CCA wire breaks much faster than copper wire.

• Inspect the Conductor: Strip the wire insulation. If the wire is orange, the outer layer is copper. Start scraping the wire with a utility knife. If it turns silver, the wire is aluminum, indicating it's CCA cable.

• Take the Flame Test: Strip the jacket from the cable conductor and use a lighter to ignite it. The CCA conductor will melt and peel off immediately.

• Use a Fluke Cable Certifier: The most reliable method to test CCA cable vs copper cable is to use a copper cable certifier. CCA cables will fail Fluke testing according to ISO/IEC 11801 and ANSI/TIA 568 standards, whether in individual tests or channel tests.

Conclusion

In summary, when comparing CCA cable vs copper cable, the drawbacks of CCA cables become evident. Their cost advantage over copper cables is diminishing, and they fall short in both safety and performance. For reliable and high-quality networking, FS offers Ethernet cables made from pure copper that pass Fluke testing, ensuring superior performance and safety. Opt for FS's pure copper cables to get the best in reliability and quality.