How to Spot the Difference Between Original and Fake Electrical Cables
A Must-Read Guide for Safe Installations.
When it comes to electrical installations, the quality of your cables is not something you can compromise on. Unfortunately, the market today is flooded with counterfeit wires that look nearly identical to trusted brands but they pose serious safety hazards.
In this guide, we’ll help you identify how to spot fake electrical cables, what to look for in genuine wires, and why choosing certified brands through authorized suppliers like EGTRADE is the safest and smartest decision for your home or project.
Why Choosing Genuine Electrical Wires Matters
- Prevents fire hazards and electric
shocks. - Ensures long-term stability and performance.
- Complies with local and international safety standards.
-
Saves you money by reducing future faults and replacements.
✅
Reliable wires = Reliable performance
The Dangers of Using Fake
or Substandard Cables
Counterfeit cables are often manufactured with cost-cutting
shortcuts that compromise safety and quality
Low-quality insulation
Substandard PVC or thinner coatings may melt or crack when exposed to heat or repeated bending.
Undersized conductors
Printed sizes (e.g. 4mm²) may be misleading.
A 4mm² label might actually be only 2.5–3mm², which can be dangerous in load calculations.
Aluminum cores coated with copper
instead of pure copper
this increases electrical resistance and leads to overheating.
Fake cables can put lives and properties at risk
don’t fall for cheap imitations.
Certifications
Marks like IEC, ISO, CE, or TÜV
Insulation
Thick, smooth, high-grade PVC
Copper Core
Pure, bright, flexible copper
Weight
Heavier due to copper density
Diameter
Matches standard cross-section (use micrometer
to confirm)
Resistance
Within expected range (check using an avometer)
How to Identify Original Electrical Cables
To verify if a cable is genuine or fake, check these details
Copper Core
Reddish, dull,
or mixed metal strands
(usually aluminum)
Insulation
Flaky, soft, or thinned-out coating
Certifications
Missing, fake, or inconsistent labels
Weight
Lighter from low-grade material
Diameter
Smaller than labeled
often 25–40% less
Resistance
Higher than normal = impure or mixed
metal core
Leading cable manufacturers such as El Sewedy, Energya (Elsewedy Helal), Electro Cable Egypt, and Giza Cables provide official technical data sheets, including accurate cable weights,
diameters, and electrical resistance values.
Always compare your wire against these trusted specifications
to ensure you're using original, high-quality electrical cables.
Quality Guaranteed
See high quality electric wires and cables !
Use this official technical table to compare the weight, diameter, and conductor resistance of your cable with certified industry standards.
The closer your cable matches these values, the more confident you can be that
it’s authentic, safe, and high-performance—not a risky counterfeit.
Check Cable Quality Through Electrical Specs
How to Spot Fake Electrical Cables
Using Resistance Formula ?
One of the easiest and most reliable ways to verify if your copper cables are Genuine or Fake is by measuring their electrical resistance and comparing it to certified values.
Using the formula below, you can calculate the expected resistance of a cable at a specific temperature and match it against the standard specifications.
If the numbers don’t add up — your cable might not be original.
Resistance Calculation Formula
Rθ
= R20 [ 1 + α(θ-20)] Ω/Km
- Rθ: DC resistance at operating temperature θ°C (Ω/km)
- R20: DC resistance at 20°C (Ω/km)
- θ: Operating temperature (°C)
-
α: Temperature coefficient (1/°C)
= 0.00393 for Copper
= 0.00403 for Aluminum
Use this formula with a digital Avometer and the cable’s length
to check whether your cable meets the industry standards.
Measure with Confidence
With Professional Avometers & Multimeters for Accurate Electrical Testing!
Not a Technician?
Discover the Signs of Fake Electrical Cables
At EGTRADE, we believe that everyone—not just electricians—deserves to feel confident about the quality and safety of their electrical installations.
When you’re finishing your new home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing authentic, high-quality electrical cables. Fake or low-grade wires can lead to overheating, power loss, or even fire hazards.
Ask for a Resistance Test
you can request the electrician to measure the conductor resistance using a reliable avometer. If it’s much higher than expected, it might be fake.
Compare Cable Diameter or Weight
Original cables have standard sizes. Compare your cable’s thickness to a
certified reference cable.
Inspect the Cable Markings
Check if the writing on the cable is :
- Clear and consistent
- Free of typos or weird fonts
-
Includes brand name, size, and standard marks
Feel the Insulation
Fake cables often use low-quality insulation
-
Too soft or brittle
- Uneven coloring or texture
Don’t Trust Extremely Low Prices
Very low prices often mean fake cables—risking fire, short circuits, or device damage
Complete Your Electrical Finishing
Safely & Smartly with EGTRADE
To make your home finishing easier and safer, we’ve selected a trusted range of home electrical installation items — including original wires, switches, sockets, back boxes, circuit breakers, Wiring Devices, and more. all from trusted electrical brands for a safer, long-lasting finish.
To make your home finishing easier and safer, we’ve selected a trusted range of home electrical installation items — including original wires, switches, sockets, back boxes, circuit breakers, Wiring Devices, and more. all from trusted electrical brands for a safer, long-lasting finish.
Complete Your Finishing
with Top-Quality, Stylish & Smart Wiring Devices
Reliable Power Control
with Advanced Electrical Protection
Need Help Choosing the Right Cable?
At EGTRADE, we don’t just sell cables — we provide professional advice tailored to your needs. Whether you're wiring a home, office, or industrial site, our team is ready to help you choose the right brand, size, and type of cable that ensures safety and efficiency.
Contact us anytime — we’ll guide you with honest recommendations based on your project.
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