The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) and the Copper Development Assocation (CDA) issue a joint warning on the usage of cables with copper clad non- UL, NEC or TIA code compliant aluminium conductors instead of solid copper conductors.
Both organisations warn such cables violate a number of safety and building industry standards due to potential safety and performance concerns. Standards UL 444 and TIA 568C.2 require solid copper conductors for multi-conductor communications cables.
Some contractors may be unaware of this recent development. Luckly, one can easily detect copper clad alumium conductors by scraping the thin copper surface to expose the bright alumium underneath.
The CCCA says installers and users should ask for complete product specification documentation when dealing with lesser known brands, making sure such cables are verified or listed by an independent third party.
