3 methods for identifying CCA wire ?

Three methods for identifying copper-clad aluminum wire and cable, and how to avoid buying inferior copper-clad aluminum cables?

Due to the mixed market in the wire and cable market, copper-clad aluminum wire and cable is a new cable material. The copper-clad aluminum cable manufacturer produces copper-clad aluminum, copper-clad aluminum-magnesium and copper-clad steel wire instead of oxygen-free copper wire. The price of copper wire is about 66,000 yuan, and the price of copper-clad aluminum is only about 35,000 yuan a ton. (Note: the proportion of oxygen-free copper is 8.9, and the specific gravity of aluminum is 2.7). The following Zion Communication will introduce how to identify copper-clad aluminum wire and cable.

First, copper-clad aluminum cable

Copper clad aluminum is a layer of copper or a layer of copper on the outer side of aluminum or aluminum-magnesium wire. Advantages: good electrical conductivity, lightweight, small specific gravity, low price, convenient processing and production of raw materials, based on copper wire production, is an excellent material to replace copper conductors.

Second, introduce three methods of identification of copper-clad aluminum cables:

Copper-clad aluminum, copper-clad aluminum-magnesium, and copper-clad steel seem to be copper wire in appearance, and it is easy to mix the two in an unprofessional situation.

1. Look at the section: Because the thicker wires use copper-clad aluminum, it is easy to see. Therefore, the general copper clad aluminum is a soft wire, which has many small filaments and multiple strands. However, as long as the cross-section is cut, it is possible to identify what material is whitish (aluminum color).

2, fire method: only need to use a lighter to burn, look at the burning phenomenon and the results after combustion, copper-clad aluminum and copper-clad aluminum-magnesium wire, when the flame is in contact with the wire, the conductor will hang down straight, not easy to blow, burn After that, the body color is gray or darker; because the melting point of aluminum is lower than the melting point of copper. The difference: the conductor after the copper-clad aluminum burns will break with a finger, which is brittle and will break into multiple sections. If the oxygen-free bare copper wire is burned to form a bead, it is a copper wire, and the thickness of the copper wire is not the same after burning, and the filament is melted and the thick wire is as it is.

3.Scratch with a tool: After the tinned copper wire is scraped, it appears yellow and is copper. The anaerobic bare copper wire is still the primary color and copper after scratching. Copper-clad aluminum wire and copper-clad aluminum-magnesium aluminum appear white snow. The same effect can be obtained by rubbing the wire on the concrete floor. Copper clad steel wire can also be identified by this method or by a magnet.

Third, how to avoid buying inferior copper-clad aluminum cable

Unless the poor copper clad aluminum can be distinguished by the naked eye, it is necessary to look at the qualification and quality inspection certification report of the copper clad aluminum cable manufacturer; the copper clad aluminum wire is mostly soft copper wire, the identification method is very simple, with the outside of the lighter The flame burns one end of the copper wire, because the aluminum wire has a lower melting point than the copper wire, so if it is copper-clad aluminum, the burning part of the flame will quickly become ash, leaving nothing. In the case of pure copper, the copper wire will shrink back quickly after burning, and a small ball is always left on the line during the shrinking process. If you like pls  pay attention to Zion Communication and visit http://www.zion-communication.com.

Stephen Xie

Email: stephen@zion-communication.com