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
1
Aluminum cores
coated with copper
instead of pure copper
this increases electrical resistance and leads to overheating.
2
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.
3
Low-quality
insulation
Substandard PVC or thinner coatings may melt or crack when exposed to heat or repeated bending.
Fake cables can put lives and properties at risk
don't fall for cheap imitations.
How to Identify Original Electrical Cables
To verify if a cable is genuine or fake, check these details
Original Cables
• Copper Core
Pure, bright, flexible copper
• Insulation
Thick, smooth, high-grade PVC
• Certifications
Marks like IEC, ISO, CE, or TÜV
• Weight
• Diameter
to confirm)
• Resistance
Within expected range (check using an avometer)
Fake Cables
• Certifications
Missing, fake, or inconsistent labels• Insulation
• Copper Core
(usually aluminum)
• Weight
• Diameter
Smaller than labeled often 25-40% less
• Resistance
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 !
Check Cable Quality Through Electrical Specs
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.
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.
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.
Ask for a Resistance Test
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 :
3. Includes brand name, size, and standard marks
Feel the Insulation
Fake cables often use low-quality insulation
Don't Trust Extremely Low Prices
Complete Your Electrical Finishing
Safely & Smartly with EGTRADE
Complete Your Finishing
with Top-quality, Stylish & Smart Wiring Devices !
Reliable Power Control
with Advanced Electrical Protection !
Need Help Choosing the Right Cable?
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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