What is CCA cable?
Quick answer
- CCA (Copper Clad Aluminium) cable is illegal for customer cabling in Australia under AS/CA S008.
- It has around 55% higher electrical resistance than solid copper of the same gauge, so it drops more voltage and runs hotter under PoE loads.
- Access Communications only stocks 100% compliant, solid copper cable, never CCA.
CCA cable (Copper Clad Aluminium) is a type of network cable conductor made from an aluminium core coated with a thin layer of copper. It is marketed as a cheaper alternative to solid copper cable but is non-compliant and illegal for use in customer cabling installations in Australia. It cannot meet the mandatory standard AS/CA S008, and the supply and installation of non-compliant customer cabling is an offence under the Telecommunications Act 1997.
CCA cable has around 55% higher electrical resistance than solid copper of the same gauge. Under Power over Ethernet (PoE) loads that means more voltage drop and more heat. Its conductors are also more brittle, and it can cause performance problems over time. This guide covers the technical problems, the legal consequences, and how to identify and avoid CCA cable on site.
Pure Copper vs Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA)
Pure Copper ✓
✓ 100% Legal & Compliant
Meets AS/CA S008 standards
✓ Suited to PoE
Lower resistance, less voltage drop and heat
✓ Durable & Reliable
Stronger and more flexible than CCA
CCA (Illegal) ✗
✗ Illegal for Customer Cabling
Fails AS/CA S008 standards
✗ Runs Hotter
Around 55% higher resistance, more heat under PoE
✗ Brittle & Unreliable
More prone to breaking, and aluminium oxidises
The ACMA's Stance: A Clear Warning
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the government body responsible for regulating telecommunications. Their position on CCA is clear. Customer cabling under AS/CA S008 must have solid or plated copper conductors (coaxial cable is treated separately), so CCA does not comply with the mandatory standard. The ACMA has stated that CCA communications cables are not compliant with Australian telecommunications cabling standards and cannot be used as telecommunications customer cable in Australia. It has also said that CCA cannot be legitimately labelled with the mandatory compliance mark.
For more details directly from the regulator, visit the ACMA Cabling Standards page. The standard itself, AS/CA S008:2020 Requirements for Customer Cabling Products, is available from Communications Alliance.
Why CCA is Banned in Australia
| Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA) ❌ | Solid Copper (Compliant) ✅ |
|---|---|
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Technical Problems: Why CCA Fails
- Higher Resistance and More Heat: The DC resistance of a CCA conductor is around 55% higher than copper of the same gauge. More resistance means more voltage drop and more heat in the conductors, especially in Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications and tightly bundled runs. The ACMA has warned that power dissipation from Ethernet-powered devices could cause overheating.
- Performance Problems: Aluminium is more brittle than copper and has a lower tensile strength, making it more prone to breaking during the pulling and termination process. It also oxidises when exposed to air, which can lead to poor connections, dropouts and network failure over time.
- Non-Compliant by Definition: CCA cable cannot meet the conductor requirements of the mandated industry standard, AS/CA S008 (section 5.6.6). The ACMA has stated that it cannot be legitimately labelled with the mandatory compliance mark. International cabling standards such as ANSI/TIA-568.2-D and ISO/IEC 11801 also require copper conductors in category-rated cable.
⚠️ Real-World Failure Example: A high-power PoE security camera, such as a motorised PTZ camera, is installed on a long CCA cable run. The camera powers up, but because CCA drops more voltage than copper, the camera can reboot when its motors or night lighting switch on and the power draw rises. The same camera on the same length of pure copper cable runs normally. Learn more about security camera cabling requirements.
Legal Consequences under the Telecommunications Act 1997
The Telecommunications Act 1997 contains several offences that apply to the supply or installation of CCA cable as customer cabling, including supplying non-compliant or unlabelled customer cabling and applying a compliance label to a non-compliant product. These are not just warnings.
- Court penalties: The ACMA has stated that these offences carry penalties exceeding $10,000 per offence.
- Infringement notices: ACMA officers can issue on-the-spot infringement notices for these offences, meaning you can be fined without the matter going to court.
- Registration: A registered cabler who installs non-compliant cabling risks action against their cabling registration.
Penalty amounts are set in penalty units and change over time. Check the ACMA website for current figures.
Your Responsibility as a Professional
As a registered cabler, you are personally responsible for ensuring every installation complies with the Wiring Rules. The choice is clear: the minor upfront saving of CCA is not worth the massive risk to safety, performance, and your professional reputation. Always source from a reputable supplier who can verify compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CCA stand for in cable terminology?
CCA stands for Copper Clad Aluminium. It's a cable conductor made from an aluminium core with a thin copper coating, marketed as a cheaper alternative to solid copper. It is illegal for customer cabling installations in Australia.
How can I tell if a cable is CCA?
Strip back the insulation and look at the cut end of the conductor. Pure copper looks uniformly copper-coloured throughout. CCA shows a silvery aluminium core visible at the cut, or when you scrape the surface of the conductor. Also check the cable's markings and compliance documentation, and buy from a supplier who can verify compliance.
Is CCA cable illegal everywhere or just in Australia?
CCA is banned for customer cabling in Australia under AS/CA S008. International cabling standards such as ANSI/TIA-568.2-D and ISO/IEC 11801 also require copper conductors in category-rated cable, so CCA cannot be rated Cat5e or Cat6 under those standards either. Even if you import cable from overseas, using CCA on an Australian customer cabling install is illegal.
What happens if I get caught using CCA cable?
The ACMA has stated that offences under the Telecommunications Act 1997 carry penalties exceeding $10,000 per offence, and ACMA officers can also issue on-the-spot infringement notices without going to court. A registered cabler also risks action against their cabling registration, and is exposed to liability for any failures.
Why is CCA still sold in Australia?
CCA is used in some applications outside customer cabling, such as speaker wire. The problem arises when it's misrepresented or used in network installs where it's prohibited. Always verify the AS/CA S008 compliance before buying for any data cabling job.
Is CCA suitable for PoE installations?
No. It is illegal as customer cabling, and its higher resistance (around 55% higher than copper) means more voltage drop and more heat under PoE current, particularly at the higher PoE levels. For PoE installs, use only solid copper Cat6 or Cat6A. See our Cat6 vs Cat6A guide for PoE specifications.
Does shielded cable have CCA risks too?
The shielding type (UTP, F/UTP, S/FTP) is separate from the conductor material. CCA can exist in shielded or unshielded cable, both are equally non-compliant. Always verify the conductor is 100% solid copper regardless of shielding type. See our cable shielding guide for shielding decisions.
Shop Compliant Copper Cables
Access Communications is committed to the safety of Australian installers. We only stock and sell 100% compliant, solid copper cables that are guaranteed to meet all Australian standards. Explore our Bulk Ethernet Cable or our pre-terminated Patch Cables.
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