Need To Make Some Cables (Cat 5e)

DeepDiver

OK, ya got me. Plenty of stranded CCA cable. Thought I had to avoid this type?  Found the odd stranded copper core but so expensive. Don't need 300m or 100m.
Plenty of cheap solid copper core cable.
So, the new question is, "are the premade cables made from stranded CCA cable?"

rorton

not sure if you missed my message above - happy to cut you some copper stranded off a reel i purchased FOC and post to you if you cover the postage - or if you don't want to buy all the bits/crimps etc, i could make some up

mickevh

Yes it is expensive - copper prices have gone up a lot in recent years and stranded/patch costs more than solid as it's more complex to manufacture. 300m and 100m and pretty "standard" lengths for bulk cable. Most businesses and/or installers buying it would be buying these sorts or lengths, we wouldn't be buying it in 10m (say) at a time as a DIYer might want it. However, you might find someone, such as the offer @rorton makes, who is prepared to cut you off a shorter length from their bulk supplys and/or "leftovers." IIRC companies like RS and Black Box will supply it by the metre if desired.

No genuine "cat" cable can be made with CCA as the standards mandate the use of pure copper conductors, so pre-made patch-cords asserting a "cat" should not be CCA.

If you cannot find someone who can supply the length you required, you might consider buying some pre-made cables "just over" the length you require, then cut off one end to the required length and crimp on a new plug.

DeepDiver

This was going to be my next question. Bit dubious about buying pre-made in case they are cca as some of them state it is. It's the ones who don't that I'm bothered about?

mickevh

If the product description asserts that they are "cat" whatever cables, then they should be OK, especially if you stick to a reputable brand from a reputable supplier. If a product says it's "catX" and turns out not to be, then the supplier is in breach of various laws, so a reputable supplier wouldn't do anything dodgy.

The things to look out for and avoid are products that are a bit slippy in the language they use such as "catX tested" "catX equivalent" "catX certified" and so on.

Plenty of us regulars here at AVF have been round the block a few times and can venture opinion on any particular product.