We often encounter customer complaints due to the use of copper-clad network cables, or CCA (copper clad aluminum), disguised as CAT. 5E or even CAT. 6. They use them because:
– Some say that their networks are in small offices and these cables are suitable for short distances;
– There are sellers who advertise them as “approaching in parameters to an all-copper cable” or “guaranteed data transmission at distances up to 150 m and more”;
– They are priced lower than the real ones.
Don't be fooled by all this! Before you buy:
- Ask!
The retailer should tell you whether the cable you are buying is copper-plated, e.g. CCA, even if it says CAT on it... - Test
Certification testers give the real values for whether the cable meets a given category or not.
We have a real case with a client who, during the construction of his administrative building, was deceived by the builder and used CCA UTP cable marked as CAT.5E. Now the computer network only works at 100Mbps and the Fluke test shows that the structured cabling system built in this way is not category 5E, i.e.
- he will NEVER be able to use a gigabit/1000Mbps computer network;
- It is necessary from time to time to re-crimp some sockets (pay for this job), because due to the oxidation of the aluminum upon contact with the socket (patch panel), the connection is lost.
- and all these problems to save about 30% of the cost of the cable.
Our advice is not to use these fake cables because:
- Aluminum has a significantly higher resistance and it is not possible this cable to have the same characteristics with the same diameter as copper cable;
- Since the electric current passes entirely over the surface (the copper layer), the cable heats up more and the risk of fire increases (as certification organizations such as UL are warning);
- The fact that a completely false label such as Cat5E, Category 5E or others mentioning standard network categories and institutions is placed means that the manufacturer is trying to manipulate you;
- Aluminum is a more brittle material and bending often leads to breakage.
Literature:
Application note Fluke Networks;
Warning from Belden - 5 reasons
www.lanstore.eu offers only standard copper communication cables, without compromising on quality!
