Colin Leung

CCA Cable vs Pure Copper: What the Markings Mean and Why It Matters for Your Network

May 28, 2026

CCA cable — copper-clad aluminum — looks identical to pure copper Cat6 on the outside. The difference shows up on certification tests, under PoE load, and after years in the wall. This guide covers what CCA is, why it fails standards-compliant installations, and how to verify conductor material before the cable goes in.