Copper Clad Aluminum Conductors (CCA) found in Cat 5e and Cat 6 Cables
Violate UL, TIA and NEC Standards
Cable Fire Test Video
CCCA conducted fire tests at Underwriters Laboratories (UL), comparing counterfeit communications cable to compliant cable.
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WASHINGTON, DC (June 22, 2012) – The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association continues to encounter several sources in the US promoting Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables made with copper clad aluminum (CCA) conductors. CCA IS NOT PERMITTED for Category UTP cables and is not compliant to Telecommunications Industries Association (TIA) standards and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for fire safety.
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found in Cat 5e and Cat 6 Cables
In addition, both the FIA and UL have issued Public Notices regarding the use of Copper Clad Aluminum Conductors
FIA-IAN-002 Infrastructure Advisory Note (October 2011) - The terms Category 5 or Category 5e has become synonymous with “entry level” 4-pair balanced cables. Many users and installers have an ambivalent view of what constitutes these cables. As a result, there is significant pressure on pricing which has encouraged the importation of lower cost products in order to boost supply chain margins or to reduce the capital expenditure of users.
This Infrastructure Advisory Note reviews the implications of one specific implementation of these low cost products that claim to be “Category 5” or “Category 5e” using Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA) conductors. This document supports many others prepared by suppliers and trade associations around the world.
More worryingly, Cables containing CCA conductors masquerade as standards-compliant “Category 5” or “Category 5e” products - tempting users to specify them and installers to use them. However, they do not comply with any recognised cable standard in the North America, international or European arenas.
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THE IMPACT OF COPPER CLAD ALUMINIUM (AND STEEL) CONDUCTORS WITHIN BALANCED PAIR CABLES
(INTENDED FOR USE WITHIN IMPLEMENTATIONS OF GENERIC CABLING)
For more information, please contact [email protected]