The Hidden Cost of Cheap Ethernet Cables (CCA vs. Pure Copper)

Not All Copper is Copper

You find a 100ft Cat6 cable for $10. A steal? No, it's a trap.

What is CCA?

Copper Clad Aluminum cables have an aluminum core with a tiny coating of copper. Aluminum is a poor conductor compared to copper. It has higher resistance, gets hotter, and is brittle.

Why it's Dangerous

If you use PoE (Power over Ethernet) to power a camera or access point, CCA cables can overheat and literally melt or catch fire due to the resistance. They also fail over long distances, causing packet loss.

How to Spot a Fake

Look for the "UL Listed" mark. Scratch the wire conductor with a knife. If you see silver underneath, it's aluminum garbage. If it's copper all the way through, you're safe.