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What copper-clad aluminum looks like
CCA has an aluminum core covered by a layer of copper. That copper-colored outer layer can make CCA look like solid copper, so a glance at the conductor’s surface is not conclusive. ICC illustrates the difference in its comparison of CCA and solid-copper Cat6 cable: ICC’s Cat6 cable comparison.
The distinction matters because conductor material affects electrical resistance, but it does not by itself establish whether a cable is suitable for a particular job. Cable category, ratings, listing, intended application, and installation conditions matter too.
How to identify the conductor material
1. Check the cable, tag, and packaging
Read the jacket markings, then check the product tag, reel, smallest unit container, and carton. The wording and where it appears depend on cable category. UL lists aluminum or CCA wording such as “AL,” “ALUMINUM,” “AL (CUCLAD),” “ALUMINUM (COPPER-CLAD),” “CU-CLAD AL,” and “COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM.” See the UL Wire and Cable Application Guide for category-specific marking guidance.
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2. Inspect a loose sample by scraping it
For loose cable with a cut sample available, remove insulation from a short section and carefully scrape the conductor surface. If the copper-colored layer gives way to a silver-colored core, that indicates aluminum beneath the cladding. A solid-copper conductor remains copper-colored through the material.
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This is a destructive check for an accessible sample, not a practical way to identify cable inside a wall. Do not cut or scrape conductors in an installed run: exposing them can create hazards and damage the installation. Do not use an open flame as a test. Fluke describes melting as subjective and impractical; see Fluke Networks’ CCA identification guidance.
3. Treat package weight as a clue, not a verdict
CCA can make a box of cable lighter than a comparable copper cable, so an unusually light box may be a reason to check the markings more closely. Weight cannot confirm conductor material: Fluke notes that ballast may be added and that some heavier CCA constructions can approach the weight of copper cable.
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4. Use a certification tester for communications links
A suitable cable certification tester can measure DC resistance unbalance on Ethernet or other communications links. Fluke reports that its Versiv DSX CableAnalyzer found the CCA cable it tested clearly out of specification on this measurement. That is a result for the cable tested, not a claim that every tester or every CCA cable produces an identical result.
Use an instrument that supports the required measurement and follow its instructions and the applicable test limit. Limits and test definitions depend on the relevant standard and whether the link is tested as a channel or permanent link. An ordinary continuity tester checks whether conductors connect; that capability alone does not identify their material.
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Why conductor material matters for Ethernet and communications cable
For communications cable, Fluke discusses increased DC resistance in CCA and the resulting concerns about heating and reduced voltage in Power over Ethernet (PoE) use. Its standards and safety-listing statements concern multi-conductor communications cable and the North American building uses and ratings described on its page. They should not be generalized to every product containing CCA.
ICC reported that CCA cable of the same diameter has “55% greater electrical resistance” than copper in a comparison published in 2019. Treat that as ICC’s reported comparison, not a universal value for every gauge, construction, or measurement condition.
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Do not apply Ethernet rules to every CCA product
CCA is not one application category. Copperweld describes CCA building-wire products listed for product safety by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories and identifies intended uses and termination conditions on its Safety and Compliance page. That manufacturer information applies to the products and applications it describes; it does not establish suitability for unrelated cable types.
Before using any cable, verify the exact product’s intended application, conductor size, marked rating, listing, installation instructions, and compatible connectors or terminations. A CCA marking alone does not answer whether a particular cable is acceptable for a particular installation.
What to compare before choosing or replacing cable
Compare cables on the criteria that fit the application, rather than relying on color, a sales description, or price alone.
For Ethernet and other communications cable
- Conductor material, confirmed by markings or an appropriate inspection or certification test.
- Stated cable category and verified performance.
- Jacket and installation rating appropriate to the location.
- Suitability for the intended PoE use.
- Complete certification or listing information on the product and packaging.
For building wire
- The exact product listing and marked rating.
- Conductor size and stated intended use.
- Compatible connectors and terminations, installed according to the product instructions.
UL’s guide explains that marking requirements and locations vary by cable category. For building wire, consult the product’s own listing and installation information rather than assuming that a finding about communications cable applies to it.
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