The Differences Between National Standard Cables and Non-Standard Cables

Cables and wires commonly used in engineering applications and construction projects mainly come in these three types:

1. National Standard Cables: Cables produced according to the technical standards set forth by relevant national cable regulations are commonly referred to as "International Cables."

2. Industry-standard cables: According to industry standards, these cables typically involve less shoddy workmanship, though this doesn’t compromise their overall performance.

3. Non-standard cables: Products born out of the growing demand in the market. Today, the applications of wires and cables are becoming increasingly widespread, and consequently, the variety of wire and cable products available on the market is also expanding rapidly.

So, how can we distinguish between "national standard" and "non-standard" wires and cables?

We recommend you first take a look, then give it a try, next weigh it carefully, after that compare prices, followed by examining the copper quality, and finally conduct a thorough quality check—these six steps will reveal the truth.

At a glance: Check whether the wire and cable products have quality system certification, ensure the certificate is properly formatted, and verify the presence of the manufacturer's name, factory address, inspection stamp, and production date. Also, look for trademarks, specifications, and voltage ratings printed directly on the wire. Finally, examine the cross-section of the copper core—high-quality products will feature bright, softly toned purple copper, while inferior ones will show dull or uneven coloring.

Second test: Take a wire end and bend it repeatedly by hand. If it feels soft, exhibits excellent fatigue resistance, has significant elasticity in its plastic or rubber coating, and shows no cracks on the wire’s insulation layer, then it’s a top-quality product.

Three ways to check the weight: High-quality wires and cables typically have weights within the specified range for every 100 meters. For example, commonly used single-strand copper-core wires with a plastic insulation and a cross-sectional area of 1.5 mm² weigh between 1.8 and 1.9 kg per 100 meters; those with a 2.5 mm² cross-section weigh 3.0 to 3.1 kg per 100 meters; and 4.0 mm² wires weigh similarly. ² Plastic-insulated, single-strand copper-core wires typically weigh between 4.4 and 4.6 kg per 100 meters, among other specifications. Poor-quality wires, however, may weigh less than expected—either because their actual length falls short of the stated length or because they contain excessive impurities in the copper core. When it comes to cables, especially those with larger gauges, weighing them remains a practical and straightforward method to determine whether the cable meets copper content standards and whether its conductor cross-section is up to par. Unfortunately, there are instances where unscrupulous manufacturers reduce the copper content to create smaller-than-expected cross-sections. If, after weighing, the copper content in a cable falls outside the allowable margin of error specified by national regulations, such a cable can generally be classified as non-standard.

Four: Price Comparison – Because counterfeit and substandard wires are produced at a much lower cost, vendors often lure customers with the deceptive promise of "low prices without compromising quality," tricking people into believing they’re getting a great deal. Therefore, when making a purchase, stay vigilant and don’t let yourself be swayed by merchants’ claims of “high-quality products at affordable prices”—don’t let such slogans cloud your judgment and lead you to fall victim to fraud. Five: Check the Copper Quality. A genuine copper-core wire should have a purplish-red color, a shiny appearance, and feel soft to the touch.

Five ways to check the copper material: Counterfeit or substandard copper-core wires have a purplish-black, yellowish, or whitish copper core, often containing numerous impurities. These wires exhibit poor mechanical strength and lack sufficient flexibility—they can easily break with even slight pressure—and frequently suffer from internal wire breaks. When inspecting, simply strip a small section of the wire at one end, then gently rub the exposed copper core against a piece of white paper. If black residue appears on the paper, it indicates that the copper core contains a high level of impurities, confirming that the wire is a "non-standard" product—meaning it doesn’t meet industry specifications.

Six Quality Checks: In cases where there are disagreements about cable quality, the cables can be sent to a third-party testing agency for evaluation. The basis for determining compliance will be the authoritative testing report.