How to judge the quality of a cable

1.Conductor material‌ : High-quality cables typically use oxygen-free copper (OFC), which has a purity of up to 99.95% or more, has high electrical conductivity and low resistance, and can reduce power loss. Poor-quality cables may be mixed with recycled copper or aluminium, which will oxidize and heat up over long use, or even melt ‌.

2.Insulation quality‌ : The insulation of high-quality cables is usually made of high-temperature resistant rubber (such as neoprene, nitrile rubber), which is flexible and heat-resistant. Poor-quality insulation layers may be replaced with recycled rubber or PVC, which are prone to aging and cracking, leading to leakage of electricity. Key indicators include temperature rating and thickness uniformity.

3.Sheath material ‌: The outer sheath is the cable 's first line of defense against mechanical damage, oil, acid and alkali. The high-quality sheath is made of composite rubber material, which is wear-resistant and UV-resistant. Poor quality SHEATH is prone to brittle cracking in outdoor or oily environment.

4.Certification and Marking: Formal cables must pass the National Compulsory Certification (CCC) and be marked with clear product information including model and specification. Beware of "non-standard low price" products claimed by merchants, which may be shoddy and cause overload risk.

5.Appearance and workmanship: Good quality cable with smooth, uniform color, no obvious protrusions, cracks or bubbles. The surface of inferior cables is rough, and even has obvious scratches or impurities. Good quality cables have uniform thickness and conform to national standards, while poor quality cables are often cut corners and have insufficient thickness.

6.Flexibility and flame retardancy: Good quality cable is flexible and not prone to breakage; Poor-quality cables may be stiff or prone to breaking. High-quality cables have good flame retardancy and the flame will go out quickly. Poor-quality cables may keep burning.

7.Copper core purity: The copper core of high-quality cables has a bright color and high purity; Inferior cables may be mixed with other metals and have a dull color. The purity of the copper core directly affects the electrical conductivity and durability of the cable ‌.

8.Weight and marking: Quality cables are heavier due to the abundance of material used; Poor-quality cables may be cut corners and be lighter in weight. The outer sheath of high-quality cables is printed with clear information such as brand, specification and certification marks. Poor-quality cables may have blurry or missing ‌markings.