Solid Copper Vs CCA
As per the Category 5 specification, the cable’s conductors are required to be pure solid copper.
However, this hasn’t stopped some unscrupulous manufacturers from selling something called CCA cable. CCA stands for copper-clad aluminium. Because there is less copper, it’s naturally cheaper to manufacture, meaning it’s cheaper to buy.
However, some unscrupulous suppliers and installers are selling and installing "CAT5e" cable that looks like cat5e, displays cat5e markings on the external insulation but is actually not cat5e.
CCA conductors are brittle, meaning that they can break easily. As well as this, aluminium oxidizes when it’s exposed to air. Both of these issues mean that there’s a much higher risk of network failures.
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the number, the more data can be transferred down the cable at higher speeds. Generally speaking the Cat5e maximum speed is 1000MB/s or ‘Gigabit’.
Spotting Counterfeit Belden Cat5e Cables
Cat5e cables are the backbone of many modern networks, and Belden is a trusted brand known for quality. However, with the increasing demand, counterfeit Belden Cat5e cables have become a growing concern. These fakes can pose a significant risk to your network performance
Copper Clad Aluminium
As copper prices increased, manufacturers started to look for alternative cheaper solutions. One of the metals they decided was a good an alternative to copper was aluminium so they would like us to believe. This gave rise to CCA Copper Clad Aluminium or Copper Coated Aluminium. This cable is a lot cheaper than copper as its mostly aluminium. You may get lucky, your CCA may have a Copper coating, but the majority of the CCA cable is pure aluminium.
This article will equip you with the knowledge to identify genuine Belden Cat5e cables and avoid falling victim to counterfeits.
Why Avoid Fake Belden Cat5e Cables?
Counterfeit Belden cables are often made with inferior materials and lack proper construction techniques. This can lead to several problems:
Slow Speeds and Data Loss:
Cheap materials like aluminum instead of copper can significantly hinder data transmission rates and cause frequent signal drops.
Early Cable Failure: Poor construction makes them more susceptible to damage and breakdowns, leading to network downtime and replacement costs.
How to Identify Fake Belden Cat5e Cables
Here are some key ways to distinguish a genuine Belden Cat5e cable from a fake:
Cable Markings: Inspect the cable itself for Belden markings. These should be clear, consistent, and include details like cable type, length, and compliance standards (e.g., UL listed).
Cable Construction: Feel the cable. Genuine Belden cables should have a firm, consistent feel. Counterfeits may feel flimsy or uneven.
Price: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeits are often significantly cheaper than genuine Belden cables.