Why We Only Use Solid Copper Cat6 Cable | DSR Projects<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not all Cat6 cable is equal. DSR Projects explains why we only install solid copper Cat6 \u2014 and why CCA cable is a risk you cannot afford.\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\r\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Merriweather:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Nunito+Sans:wght@400;600;700;800&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<style>\r\n*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\r\n\r\n:root {\r\n --brand: #1A3C5E;\r\n --accent: #E8881A;\r\n --ink: #fff;\r\n --muted: #666;\r\n --border: #E4E4E4;\r\n --surface: #F7F8FA;\r\n --white: #fff;\r\n --red: #C62828;\r\n --red-bg: #FFF5F5;\r\n --green: #2E7D32;\r\n --green-bg:#F1F8F2;\r\n}\r\n\r\nbody {\r\n font-family: 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif;\r\n background: var(--white);\r\n color: var(--ink);\r\n font-size: 16px;\r\n line-height: 1.8;\r\n -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 WP-STYLE WRAPPER \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.wp-post {\r\n max-width: 740px;\r\n margin: 0 auto;\r\n padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem 4rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 POST HEADER \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.post-category {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 11px;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n color: var(--accent);\r\n display: block;\r\n margin-bottom: 0.75rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.post-title {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n line-height: 1.15;\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n letter-spacing: -0.02em;\r\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.post-title span { color: var(--accent); 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color: var(--green); border-right: 1px solid var(--border); }\r\n.th-cca { background: var(--red-bg); color: var(--red); }\r\n.compare-table td {\r\n padding: 9px 14px;\r\n vertical-align: top;\r\n line-height: 1.5;\r\n border-top: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n.compare-table td:first-child { border-right: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--green); }\r\n.compare-table td:last-child { color: var(--red); }\r\n.compare-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: var(--surface); }\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 RISK LIST \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.risk-list {\r\n list-style: none;\r\n display: flex;\r\n flex-direction: column;\r\n gap: 10px;\r\n margin: 1.25rem 0;\r\n}\r\n.risk-list li {\r\n display: grid;\r\n grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;\r\n gap: 10px;\r\n align-items: flex-start;\r\n font-size: 0.93rem;\r\n line-height: 1.6;\r\n background: var(--red-bg);\r\n border: 1px solid #FFCDD2;\r\n border-radius: 8px;\r\n padding: 0.8rem 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.risk-icon {\r\n width: 20px; height: 20px;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: var(--red);\r\n display: flex; 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height: 52px; flex-shrink: 0;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: var(--brand);\r\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800; font-size: 14px; color: #fff;\r\n}\r\n.author-name {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800; font-size: 14px; color: var(--brand);\r\n display: block; margin-bottom: 2px;\r\n}\r\n.author-bio {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.5;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 TAGS \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.post-tags {\r\n display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 7px;\r\n padding-top: 1.25rem;\r\n border-top: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n.post-tag {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.07em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n padding: 4px 11px;\r\n border-radius: 20px;\r\n background: var(--surface);\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n text-decoration: none;\r\n}\r\n.post-tag:hover { background: var(--brand); color: #fff; }\r\n<\/style>\r\n<\/head>\r\n<body>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-post\">\r\n\r\n \r\n <span class=\"post-category\">Structured Cabling<\/span>\r\n\r\n <h1 class=\"post-title\">Why We Only Install <span>Solid Copper<\/span> Cat6 Cable \u2014 And Why It Matters<\/h1>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"post-meta\">\r\n <div class=\"meta-avatar\">DSR<\/div>\r\n <div class=\"meta-text\">\r\n <strong>DSR Projects<\/strong>\r\n Kempton Park, Gauteng \u00b7 2025\r\n <\/div>\r\n <span class=\"meta-sep\">\u00b7<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"post-read-time\">5 min read<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"featured-banner\">\r\n <p>Every week we get called to diagnose networks that are slow, unstable, or dropping PoE devices \u2014 despite having <strong>\"Cat6 cable\" installed<\/strong>. The culprit, almost every time, is the same: CCA cable sold as genuine copper.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <p>At DSR Projects we have a firm rule: every structured cabling installation uses <strong>solid bare copper Cat6<\/strong>. No exceptions, no budget alternatives. Here is why that matters to you as a client.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <h2>What Cat6 Cable Is Supposed to Deliver<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>Cat6 (Category 6) is a TIA\/EIA-568 standardised twisted-pair cable. When installed correctly with solid copper conductors it reliably delivers:<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"spec-row\">\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">1 Gbps<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">up to 100 metres<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">10 Gbps<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">up to 55 metres<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">250 MHz<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">bandwidth rating<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-amber\">\r\n <strong>The key point<\/strong>\r\n Every single one of those figures is derived from testing with solid copper conductors. If the conductor is not solid copper, those specs do not apply \u2014 full stop.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <h2>What is CCA Cable?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p><strong>CCA stands for Copper-Clad Aluminium<\/strong> \u2014 an aluminium conductor with a thin copper coating applied to the outside. It looks like copper when you glance at the cut end of a wire. It is labelled \"Cat6.\" It is substantially cheaper. And it does not perform like copper, because it is not copper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <p>Aluminium has approximately <strong>61% of the electrical conductivity of copper<\/strong>. That is not a minor compromise \u2014 it affects resistance, heat under load, signal attenuation, and long-term reliability at every termination point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-blue\">\r\n <strong>How to identify CCA on site<\/strong>\r\n Cut a conductor and look at the cross-section \u2014 CCA shows a silvery-grey aluminium core with a thin copper ring around the outside. Solid copper is uniformly orange-brown throughout. CCA cable is also noticeably lighter than solid copper. A Fluke DSX certifier will flag it immediately on attenuation and return loss.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <h2>Solid Copper vs CCA \u2014 Head to Head<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\r\n <thead>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th class=\"th-copper\">\u2713 Solid Bare Copper<\/th>\r\n <th class=\"th-cca\">\u2715 CCA Cable<\/th>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/thead>\r\n <tbody>\r\n <tr><td>Full 100m run length as rated<\/td><td>Reliable performance drops after 55\u201365m<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Safe for all PoE standards including PoE++ (100W)<\/td><td>Generates dangerous heat under PoE load<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Meets TIA\/EIA-568, ISO\/IEC 11801 Cat6 standards<\/td><td>Does not meet any recognised Cat6 standard<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Stable terminations \u2014 copper does not oxidise at jacks<\/td><td>Aluminium oxidises over time \u2014 connections degrade<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Handles pulling and bending without conductor fatigue<\/td><td>Aluminium work-hardens and cracks inside the sheath<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Certifies to Cat6 on a Fluke DSX every time<\/td><td>Fails certification on attenuation and return loss<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>20+ year service life<\/td><td>Degraded performance within 3\u20135 years<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <\/tbody>\r\n <\/table>\r\n\r\n <h2>The Real Dangers of CCA in a Building<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>This is not just about performance. CCA cable creates genuine safety and liability risks that we see regularly in the field:<\/p>\r\n\r\n <ul class=\"risk-list\">\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">PoE fire risk<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">CCA's higher resistance causes cables to heat under PoE load. In bundled conduit runs this heat accumulates and cannot escape \u2014 a documented fire risk in commercial and residential installations.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">PoE device damage<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">Higher resistance causes voltage drop along the run. Access points, IP cameras and smart home devices at the end of long runs receive insufficient voltage \u2014 causing reboots, shortened lifespan, or permanent damage.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">Hidden conductor cracks<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">Aluminium work-hardens when flexed during installation. Conductors crack inside the insulation \u2014 causing intermittent faults inside intact-looking cable that are nearly impossible to trace without pulling the run.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">Warranty and insurance void<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">CCA does not meet any recognised Cat6 standard. Any warranty claim or insurance claim based on a \"Cat6 certified installation\" is void the moment CCA cable is found in the walls.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n <h2>The Cost of \"Saving\" on Cable<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>CCA cable costs roughly 30\u201350% less per metre than solid copper. On a 20-point installation that looks like a saving of R3,000\u2013R5,000. But replacing cable after ceilings and walls are closed \u2014 cutting in, re-pulling, replastering, repainting \u2014 typically costs <strong>R15,000 to R40,000<\/strong>, before you factor in damaged PoE equipment and business downtime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <blockquote>The cable in your walls will still be there in twenty years. The contractor who installed it may not be. Make sure what is in your walls is worth keeping.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n <h2>The DSR Projects Standard<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>Every DSR Projects installation uses <strong>solid bare copper Cat6<\/strong> from verified suppliers with documented material certification. Every run is tested with a calibrated cable certifier before handover. Clients receive a written certification report \u2014 the permanent proof that your infrastructure performs to specification.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <p>We do not offer CCA as a budget option. We do not install it at any price. It is not a premium tier \u2014 it is simply the minimum standard we are prepared to put our name on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-green\">\r\n <strong>What you get with every DSR structured cabling install<\/strong>\r\n Solid bare copper Cat6 on every run \u00b7 Written Fluke cable certification report \u00b7 Clean conduit and cable management \u00b7 PoE-safe infrastructure for cameras, access points, VoIP, and smart home devices \u00b7 A network you will never have to think about again.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"verdict\">\r\n <p>\"If a contractor offers you Cat6 at a price that seems too good to be true, ask one question: is this solid copper or CCA? If they hesitate \u2014 or cannot provide a written certification report \u2014 walk away.\"<\/p>\r\n <span class=\"verdict-sig\">\u2014 DSR Projects, Kempton Park<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"author-box\">\r\n <div class=\"author-avatar\">DSR<\/div>\r\n <div>\r\n <span class=\"author-name\">DSR Projects<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"author-bio\">Smart home automation, structured cabling, enterprise WiFi, CCTV and integrated technology solutions. Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. Built on Integrity. Driven by Experience.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"post-tags\">\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Cat6 Cabling<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Structured Cabling<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">PoE<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">CCA vs Copper<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Network Infrastructure<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Smart Home<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">UniFi<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/body>\r\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why We Only Use Solid Copper Cat6 Cable | DSR Projects Structured Cabling Why We Only Install Solid Copper Cat6 Cable \u2014 And Why It Matters DSR DSR Projects Kempton…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-networking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions\/62"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy We Only Use Solid Copper Cat6 Cable | DSR Projects<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not all Cat6 cable is equal. DSR Projects explains why we only install solid copper Cat6 \u2014 and why CCA cable is a risk you cannot afford.\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\r\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Merriweather:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Nunito+Sans:wght@400;600;700;800&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<style>\r\n*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\r\n\r\n:root {\r\n --brand: #1A3C5E;\r\n --accent: #E8881A;\r\n --ink: #fff;\r\n --muted: #666;\r\n --border: #E4E4E4;\r\n --surface: #F7F8FA;\r\n --white: #fff;\r\n --red: #C62828;\r\n --red-bg: #FFF5F5;\r\n --green: #2E7D32;\r\n --green-bg:#F1F8F2;\r\n}\r\n\r\nbody {\r\n font-family: 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif;\r\n background: var(--white);\r\n color: var(--ink);\r\n font-size: 16px;\r\n line-height: 1.8;\r\n -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 WP-STYLE WRAPPER \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.wp-post {\r\n max-width: 740px;\r\n margin: 0 auto;\r\n padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem 4rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 POST HEADER \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.post-category {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 11px;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.14em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n color: var(--accent);\r\n display: block;\r\n margin-bottom: 0.75rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.post-title {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n line-height: 1.15;\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n letter-spacing: -0.02em;\r\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.post-title span { color: var(--accent); }\r\n\r\n.post-meta {\r\n display: flex;\r\n align-items: center;\r\n gap: 14px;\r\n padding-bottom: 1.5rem;\r\n border-bottom: 2px solid var(--border);\r\n margin-bottom: 2rem;\r\n flex-wrap: wrap;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.meta-avatar {\r\n width: 36px; height: 36px;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: var(--brand);\r\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800; font-size: 12px; color: #fff;\r\n flex-shrink: 0;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.meta-text {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 13px;\r\n color: var(--muted);\r\n line-height: 1.4;\r\n}\r\n.meta-text strong { color: var(--ink); font-weight: 700; }\r\n\r\n.meta-sep { color: var(--border); }\r\n\r\n.post-read-time {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 12px;\r\n color: var(--muted);\r\n background: var(--surface);\r\n padding: 4px 10px;\r\n border-radius: 20px;\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 FEATURED IMAGE BANNER \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.featured-banner {\r\n background: var(--brand);\r\n border-radius: 10px;\r\n padding: 2.5rem 2rem;\r\n margin-bottom: 2rem;\r\n position: relative;\r\n overflow: hidden;\r\n}\r\n.featured-banner::after {\r\n content: '';\r\n position: absolute;\r\n right: -30px; top: -30px;\r\n width: 180px; height: 180px;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: rgba(232,136,26,0.12);\r\n pointer-events: none;\r\n}\r\n.featured-banner p {\r\n font-family: 'Merriweather', serif;\r\n font-size: 1.1rem;\r\n font-style: italic;\r\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);\r\n line-height: 1.75;\r\n position: relative;\r\n max-width: 520px;\r\n}\r\n.featured-banner p strong {\r\n color: var(--accent);\r\n font-style: normal;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 BODY TYPOGRAPHY \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.wp-post p {\r\n margin-bottom: 1.35rem;\r\n color: var(--ink);\r\n font-size: 1rem;\r\n line-height: 1.85;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.wp-post h2 {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 1.35rem;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n margin: 2.5rem 0 0.85rem;\r\n padding-bottom: 0.5rem;\r\n border-bottom: 2px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 SPEC ROW \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.spec-row {\r\n display: grid;\r\n grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);\r\n gap: 10px;\r\n margin: 1.5rem 0;\r\n}\r\n.spec-box {\r\n background: var(--surface);\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n border-top: 3px solid var(--brand);\r\n border-radius: 8px;\r\n padding: 1rem;\r\n text-align: center;\r\n}\r\n.spec-val {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 1.6rem;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n display: block;\r\n line-height: 1;\r\n}\r\n.spec-lbl {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 10px;\r\n font-weight: 700;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n color: var(--muted);\r\n display: block;\r\n margin-top: 5px;\r\n}\r\n@media(max-width:480px){ .spec-row { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 CALLOUT \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.callout {\r\n border-radius: 8px;\r\n padding: 1.1rem 1.35rem;\r\n margin: 1.5rem 0;\r\n border-left: 4px solid transparent;\r\n font-size: 0.93rem;\r\n line-height: 1.75;\r\n}\r\n.callout strong {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 10px;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.12em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n display: block;\r\n margin-bottom: 5px;\r\n}\r\n.co-blue { background: #EBF4FF; border-color: #2196F3; color: #0D47A1; }\r\n.co-green { background: var(--green-bg); border-color: #4CAF50; color: var(--green); }\r\n.co-red { background: var(--red-bg); border-color: #EF5350; color: var(--red); }\r\n.co-amber { background: #FFF8EE; border-color: var(--accent); color: #7F4200; }\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 COMPARE TABLE \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.compare-table {\r\n width: 100%;\r\n border-collapse: collapse;\r\n font-size: 0.88rem;\r\n margin: 1.5rem 0;\r\n border-radius: 8px;\r\n overflow: hidden;\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n.compare-table th {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 12px;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.08em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n padding: 10px 14px;\r\n text-align: left;\r\n}\r\n.th-copper { background: var(--green-bg); color: var(--green); border-right: 1px solid var(--border); }\r\n.th-cca { background: var(--red-bg); color: var(--red); }\r\n.compare-table td {\r\n padding: 9px 14px;\r\n vertical-align: top;\r\n line-height: 1.5;\r\n border-top: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n.compare-table td:first-child { border-right: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--green); }\r\n.compare-table td:last-child { color: var(--red); }\r\n.compare-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: var(--surface); }\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 RISK LIST \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.risk-list {\r\n list-style: none;\r\n display: flex;\r\n flex-direction: column;\r\n gap: 10px;\r\n margin: 1.25rem 0;\r\n}\r\n.risk-list li {\r\n display: grid;\r\n grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;\r\n gap: 10px;\r\n align-items: flex-start;\r\n font-size: 0.93rem;\r\n line-height: 1.6;\r\n background: var(--red-bg);\r\n border: 1px solid #FFCDD2;\r\n border-radius: 8px;\r\n padding: 0.8rem 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.risk-icon {\r\n width: 20px; height: 20px;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: var(--red);\r\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\r\n flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 1px;\r\n}\r\n.risk-icon svg { display: block; }\r\n.risk-label {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n font-size: 12px;\r\n color: var(--red);\r\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\r\n text-transform: uppercase;\r\n display: block;\r\n margin-bottom: 2px;\r\n}\r\n.risk-desc { color: var(--red); font-size: 0.88rem; }\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 PULL QUOTE \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\nblockquote {\r\n margin: 2rem 0;\r\n padding: 1.25rem 1.75rem;\r\n border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);\r\n background: #FFF8EE;\r\n border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0;\r\n font-style: italic;\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n font-size: 1.05rem;\r\n line-height: 1.75;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 VERDICT \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.verdict {\r\n background: var(--brand);\r\n border-radius: 10px;\r\n padding: 2rem;\r\n margin: 2.5rem 0;\r\n}\r\n.verdict p {\r\n font-family: 'Merriweather', serif;\r\n font-style: italic;\r\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.88) !important;\r\n font-size: 1rem !important;\r\n line-height: 1.8 !important;\r\n margin-bottom: 0.75rem !important;\r\n}\r\n.verdict-sig {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 13px;\r\n font-weight: 800;\r\n color: var(--accent);\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 AUTHOR BOX \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.author-box {\r\n display: flex;\r\n gap: 1rem;\r\n background: var(--surface);\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n border-radius: 10px;\r\n padding: 1.25rem;\r\n margin: 2.5rem 0 1.5rem;\r\n align-items: center;\r\n}\r\n.author-avatar {\r\n width: 52px; height: 52px; flex-shrink: 0;\r\n border-radius: 50%;\r\n background: var(--brand);\r\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800; font-size: 14px; color: #fff;\r\n}\r\n.author-name {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-weight: 800; font-size: 14px; color: var(--brand);\r\n display: block; margin-bottom: 2px;\r\n}\r\n.author-bio {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 13px; color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.5;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 TAGS \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n.post-tags {\r\n display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 7px;\r\n padding-top: 1.25rem;\r\n border-top: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n}\r\n.post-tag {\r\n font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700;\r\n letter-spacing: 0.07em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n padding: 4px 11px;\r\n border-radius: 20px;\r\n background: var(--surface);\r\n color: var(--brand);\r\n border: 1px solid var(--border);\r\n text-decoration: none;\r\n}\r\n.post-tag:hover { background: var(--brand); color: #fff; }\r\n<\/style>\r\n<\/head>\r\n<body>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-post\">\r\n\r\n \r\n <span class=\"post-category\">Structured Cabling<\/span>\r\n\r\n <h1 class=\"post-title\">Why We Only Install <span>Solid Copper<\/span> Cat6 Cable \u2014 And Why It Matters<\/h1>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"post-meta\">\r\n <div class=\"meta-avatar\">DSR<\/div>\r\n <div class=\"meta-text\">\r\n <strong>DSR Projects<\/strong>\r\n Kempton Park, Gauteng \u00b7 2025\r\n <\/div>\r\n <span class=\"meta-sep\">\u00b7<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"post-read-time\">5 min read<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"featured-banner\">\r\n <p>Every week we get called to diagnose networks that are slow, unstable, or dropping PoE devices \u2014 despite having <strong>\"Cat6 cable\" installed<\/strong>. The culprit, almost every time, is the same: CCA cable sold as genuine copper.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <p>At DSR Projects we have a firm rule: every structured cabling installation uses <strong>solid bare copper Cat6<\/strong>. No exceptions, no budget alternatives. Here is why that matters to you as a client.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <h2>What Cat6 Cable Is Supposed to Deliver<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>Cat6 (Category 6) is a TIA\/EIA-568 standardised twisted-pair cable. When installed correctly with solid copper conductors it reliably delivers:<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"spec-row\">\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">1 Gbps<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">up to 100 metres<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">10 Gbps<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">up to 55 metres<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div class=\"spec-box\">\r\n <span class=\"spec-val\">250 MHz<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"spec-lbl\">bandwidth rating<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-amber\">\r\n <strong>The key point<\/strong>\r\n Every single one of those figures is derived from testing with solid copper conductors. If the conductor is not solid copper, those specs do not apply \u2014 full stop.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <h2>What is CCA Cable?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p><strong>CCA stands for Copper-Clad Aluminium<\/strong> \u2014 an aluminium conductor with a thin copper coating applied to the outside. It looks like copper when you glance at the cut end of a wire. It is labelled \"Cat6.\" It is substantially cheaper. And it does not perform like copper, because it is not copper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <p>Aluminium has approximately <strong>61% of the electrical conductivity of copper<\/strong>. That is not a minor compromise \u2014 it affects resistance, heat under load, signal attenuation, and long-term reliability at every termination point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-blue\">\r\n <strong>How to identify CCA on site<\/strong>\r\n Cut a conductor and look at the cross-section \u2014 CCA shows a silvery-grey aluminium core with a thin copper ring around the outside. Solid copper is uniformly orange-brown throughout. CCA cable is also noticeably lighter than solid copper. A Fluke DSX certifier will flag it immediately on attenuation and return loss.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <h2>Solid Copper vs CCA \u2014 Head to Head<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\r\n <thead>\r\n <tr>\r\n <th class=\"th-copper\">\u2713 Solid Bare Copper<\/th>\r\n <th class=\"th-cca\">\u2715 CCA Cable<\/th>\r\n <\/tr>\r\n <\/thead>\r\n <tbody>\r\n <tr><td>Full 100m run length as rated<\/td><td>Reliable performance drops after 55\u201365m<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Safe for all PoE standards including PoE++ (100W)<\/td><td>Generates dangerous heat under PoE load<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Meets TIA\/EIA-568, ISO\/IEC 11801 Cat6 standards<\/td><td>Does not meet any recognised Cat6 standard<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Stable terminations \u2014 copper does not oxidise at jacks<\/td><td>Aluminium oxidises over time \u2014 connections degrade<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Handles pulling and bending without conductor fatigue<\/td><td>Aluminium work-hardens and cracks inside the sheath<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>Certifies to Cat6 on a Fluke DSX every time<\/td><td>Fails certification on attenuation and return loss<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <tr><td>20+ year service life<\/td><td>Degraded performance within 3\u20135 years<\/td><\/tr>\r\n <\/tbody>\r\n <\/table>\r\n\r\n <h2>The Real Dangers of CCA in a Building<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>This is not just about performance. CCA cable creates genuine safety and liability risks that we see regularly in the field:<\/p>\r\n\r\n <ul class=\"risk-list\">\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">PoE fire risk<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">CCA's higher resistance causes cables to heat under PoE load. In bundled conduit runs this heat accumulates and cannot escape \u2014 a documented fire risk in commercial and residential installations.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">PoE device damage<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">Higher resistance causes voltage drop along the run. Access points, IP cameras and smart home devices at the end of long runs receive insufficient voltage \u2014 causing reboots, shortened lifespan, or permanent damage.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">Hidden conductor cracks<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">Aluminium work-hardens when flexed during installation. Conductors crack inside the insulation \u2014 causing intermittent faults inside intact-looking cable that are nearly impossible to trace without pulling the run.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <li>\r\n <div class=\"risk-icon\"><svg width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 10\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M5 1L9 8.5H1L5 1Z\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M5 4v2\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"5\" cy=\"7\" r=\"0.5\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\r\n <div><span class=\"risk-label\">Warranty and insurance void<\/span><span class=\"risk-desc\">CCA does not meet any recognised Cat6 standard. Any warranty claim or insurance claim based on a \"Cat6 certified installation\" is void the moment CCA cable is found in the walls.<\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n <h2>The Cost of \"Saving\" on Cable<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>CCA cable costs roughly 30\u201350% less per metre than solid copper. On a 20-point installation that looks like a saving of R3,000\u2013R5,000. But replacing cable after ceilings and walls are closed \u2014 cutting in, re-pulling, replastering, repainting \u2014 typically costs <strong>R15,000 to R40,000<\/strong>, before you factor in damaged PoE equipment and business downtime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <blockquote>The cable in your walls will still be there in twenty years. The contractor who installed it may not be. Make sure what is in your walls is worth keeping.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n <h2>The DSR Projects Standard<\/h2>\r\n\r\n <p>Every DSR Projects installation uses <strong>solid bare copper Cat6<\/strong> from verified suppliers with documented material certification. Every run is tested with a calibrated cable certifier before handover. Clients receive a written certification report \u2014 the permanent proof that your infrastructure performs to specification.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <p>We do not offer CCA as a budget option. We do not install it at any price. It is not a premium tier \u2014 it is simply the minimum standard we are prepared to put our name on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <div class=\"callout co-green\">\r\n <strong>What you get with every DSR structured cabling install<\/strong>\r\n Solid bare copper Cat6 on every run \u00b7 Written Fluke cable certification report \u00b7 Clean conduit and cable management \u00b7 PoE-safe infrastructure for cameras, access points, VoIP, and smart home devices \u00b7 A network you will never have to think about again.\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"verdict\">\r\n <p>\"If a contractor offers you Cat6 at a price that seems too good to be true, ask one question: is this solid copper or CCA? If they hesitate \u2014 or cannot provide a written certification report \u2014 walk away.\"<\/p>\r\n <span class=\"verdict-sig\">\u2014 DSR Projects, Kempton Park<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"author-box\">\r\n <div class=\"author-avatar\">DSR<\/div>\r\n <div>\r\n <span class=\"author-name\">DSR Projects<\/span>\r\n <span class=\"author-bio\">Smart home automation, structured cabling, enterprise WiFi, CCTV and integrated technology solutions. Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. Built on Integrity. Driven by Experience.<\/span>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n <div class=\"post-tags\">\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Cat6 Cabling<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Structured Cabling<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">PoE<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">CCA vs Copper<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Network Infrastructure<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">Smart Home<\/a>\r\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"post-tag\">UniFi<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/body>\r\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why We Only Use Solid Copper Cat6 Cable | DSR Projects Structured Cabling Why We Only Install Solid Copper Cat6 Cable \u2014 And Why It Matters DSR DSR Projects Kempton…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-networking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions\/62"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dsrprojects.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}