How to Quickly Choose High-Quality Wires & Cables and Check Their Quality
News 2025年3月31日 5
Wires and cables are essential components for power transmission and signal communication. Their quality directly impacts electrical safety, equipment stability, and service life. However, the market is flooded with various brands, and substandard products are common. This article provides practical methods to quickly select high-quality wires and cables and verify their quality to ensure safety and reliability.
- Quick Methods to Choose High-Quality Wires & Cables
- Check the Appearance
High-quality wires and cables have a smooth, uniform surface with no visible scratches, dents, or impurities.
– Insulation Inspection: High-quality insulation feels soft and flexible, while inferior products may feel stiff or brittle.
– Clear Markings: Legitimate manufacturers print essential details like brand, specifications, voltage rating, standards (e.g., GB/T 5023, JB/T 8734), and production date.
- Examine the Conductor (Copper/Aluminum Core)
The conductor is the most critical part—it determines conductivity and safety.
– Copper Quality: High-quality wires use oxygen-free copper (reddish-purple, shiny, and flexible). Inferior wires may use recycled copper (dull, brittle, or whitish).
– Conductor Diameter: Use a caliper to check if the diameter meets national standards (e.g., BV 2.5mm² wire should have a copper core ≥1.78mm). Thinner conductors increase resistance and overheating risks.
- Inspect Insulation & Sheathing
– Flame Resistance Test: Use a lighter to burn the insulation briefly. High-quality cables are flame-retardant (self-extinguishing with no toxic smoke). Poor-quality ones keep burning.
– Heat Resistance: Good insulation remains stable under heat, while inferior insulation may melt or deform.
- Verify Length
Standard cable length is 100 meters (±0.5m tolerance). Some cheap cables claim 100m but are actually 80-90m. Check by:
– Meter Marks: Legitimate cables have length markings every meter.
– Manual Measurement: Use a tape measure to verify a section’s length.
- Choose Reputable Brands & Certifications
Opt for well-known brands (e.g., Far East, Baosheng, Hengtong) and check for:
– CCC Certification (China Compulsory Certification)
– Production License
– ISO Quality Management Certification
– Special Certifications (e.g., Flame Retardant “ZR,” Fire Resistant “NH”)
- Quick Tests to Verify Cable Quality
- Bend Test
Bend the wire repeatedly. High-quality wires remain flexible; low-quality ones may crack or break.
- Weight Comparison
High-quality wires weigh more due to pure copper and thick insulation. For example, 100m of 2.5mm² BV wire should weigh ≥3.2kg.
- Resistance Test (Professional Method)
Use a multimeter to measure resistance. Good wires have low resistance; inferior ones show higher resistance due to impurities or undersized conductors.
- Price Comparison
If a cable’s price is unusually low, it likely uses substandard materials—avoid such products.
- Conclusion
To select high-quality wires and cables, examine appearance, conductor quality, insulation, length, and certifications. Simple tests like bending, weighing, and flame resistance checks can quickly identify substandard products. Always buy from trusted suppliers to ensure electrical safety.
Safe electricity starts with high-quality cables!