Question about copper clad aluminum (CCA) cables - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: fubar.gr
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 02:25:30 pm
content: Are CCA cables marked with the equivalent cross section of solid copper wire?Here's the backstory:I recently got a cheap stick welder and decided to swap the ground clamp with a better one.The ground cable had 10mm^2 printed on its side, so I got some heavy duty 10mm2 cable lugs to fit on the end so I could screw it on the new clamp.I stripped the end of the cable, and something felt wrong about the copper strands. Yep, it was CCA, not solid copper and I verified it by heating the strands with a lighter.Anyway, I proceded to install the lug and realized that it wouldn't fit. The wire gauge was actually 16mm^2.Was the cable mislabeled or is it a common practice to mark CCA cables with a lower than actual cross section area?

author: Audioguru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 02:37:15 pm
content: I had a home that was built with aluminum wiring. Of course the wire is thicker than copper wires because its resistance is a little higher. Many of the receptacles got hot because the wire expands and contracts much more than copper so the screw terminals and any crimps became loose. Special receptacles with much larger screw heads were developed and helped stop the loose problems.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 05:09:21 pm
content: that welding cable must be pure copper or tinned copper, nothing else also like class 6 extra fine stranded wire 0.15mm diameter or less

author: DBecker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 05:24:53 pm
content: In the U.S. the most common consumer-facing use of CCA cables is for car booster/jumper cables.The cables are always listed as the AWG size, not the copper-equivalent size. Because they can.That cable is marked 'TUV', so perhaps there are local regulations involved.

author: Kalin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 08:36:26 pm
content: TUV is a solar panel cable not a welding cable so that's why it will not seem to work as intended. Welding cable is more expensive than alot of the alternatives but there is usually a reason for the cost.Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 11:10:07 pm
content: Quote from: Kalin on May 24, 2017, 08:36:26 pmTUV is a certification company, its not a solar cable mark:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technischer_%C3%9CberwachungsvereinThe designation "H01N2-D" is indeed for welding cable, however the spec specifically states stranded copper wire:https://products.lappgroup.com/online-catalogue/power-and-control-cables/harsh-conditions/rubber-cables/h01n2-d.htmlQuoteAccording to this page:http://inspectapedia.com/aluminum/Copper_Clad_Aluminum_Wire.phpFor house wiring, CCA is marked as the size it actually is (AWG). So a heavier gauge CCA needs to be used. Which seems odd (unless they require cable to be well marked, this stuff isn't).I think this KENDE wire is falsely labeled. But at least they were kind enough to appropriately oversize it..

author: Kalin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2017, 12:18:47 am
content: You learn something new everyday. I have TUV listed as usable for solar installation but now that I look it up it is nothing like this. Sorry for the misinformationSent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk