There are several ways to identify if the conductor of a cable is 100% copper, CCA or CCS.
Let’s list them from the simplest to the most complex:
1. Weight Test
Since the specific gravity of aluminum or steel is very low compared to copper, a cable made of the same length of CCA or CCS conductor is much lighter than a copper cable. However, in order not to be mistaken while doing this test, remove the cable completely from its packaging, because some manufacturers use additional materials to make packages weigth heavier.
2. Conductor Check
Strip the conductor jackets. If the color of the conductor is orange, the top layer is copper. Begin stripping the conductor with a utility knife. If the color has turned to silver, the conductor is aluminum or iron. In other words, it is understood that aluminum or copper conductor is coated with copper conductor.
3. Bend Test
4. Flame Test
5. Performance Test
🚨 Important!
Some manufacturers make the orange and green pairs from bare copper and the blue and brown pairs from CCA or CCS conductors. Apply conductor, bend and flame tests to all 4 pairs!
Zemecs LAN Cables
Only bare annealed solid copper conductors are used in the production of Zemecs LAN cables. Our portfolio does not include any product with CCA or CCS conductors.
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