Undersized cables: what to do when identified and what risks to assess.

Electrical cables are essential in any electrical installation, and choosing the right type is crucial to ensuring the safety and efficiency of the system. However, among some suppliers and manufacturers, we can find the existence and offer of undersized cables.

Over the last few years, the Brazilian market has suffered from the number of counterfeit electrical cables being produced and sold. There are several reports and many accidents occurring periodically in Brazil, caused by poor-quality cables, which are bad for the market and even worse for the safety of those who use them.

What are undersized cables?

The gauge of a cable is the measurement of the cross-sectional area of the copper conductor. The larger it is, the more copper it contains and the more current it can carry. A dishonest manufacturer keeps the external diameter of the cable the same as the original, compensating for the difference with more PVC in the insulation. The result is a product that looks identical to the original on the outside but has much less copper on the inside.

This means the cable cannot safely carry the electrical current it should be able to support. As a consequence, it heats up more easily, loses efficiency, and increases the risk of short circuits and fire.

Who monitors electrical cables?

There are organizations that regulate electrical cables in Brazil and certify products so they meet minimum safety and quality standards before being sold. Inmetro defines these rules for manufacturers and grants a certification seal to products that have passed testing. In addition, Qualifio, a non-profit association connected to the electrical sector, monitors the electrical cable market with the support of certified companies.

Qualifio is an independent organization that works directly with electrical cable manufacturers and retailers, monitoring and identifying products that are not compliant with standards and combating the sale of these irregular conductors. To do this, it receives reports from consumers, retailers, and other audiences, and collects materials for verification.

After collecting them, Qualifio is responsible for sending these samples to specialized and trusted laboratories to perform quality tests according to the manufacturing standards for each type of cable and section. The cables are subjected to tests for copper quantity, electrical resistance, insulation thickness, and compliance with Brazilian standards.

What should be done in case of irregularities?

When a product shows irregularities in any of these crucial requirements needed to pass testing, Qualifio prepares reports and forwards them to the agencies responsible for direct inspection of these companies. These agencies, such as Inmetro, can investigate more thoroughly and determine the removal of such irregular products from the market, in addition to applying fines and penalties to manufacturers that are acting against the law and manufacturing standards.

I bought an undersized cable. What now?

If a consumer suspects they have purchased an undersized, counterfeit, or out-of-specification cable, the most important step is to not use the product until its origin has been verified. Since these cables may pose risks of excessive heating, electric shocks, and even fires, prevention is essential.

The first step is to gather as much information as possible about the product, such as invoice, packaging, brand, manufacturing batch, and photos of the cable and the markings printed on the sheath. This information helps identify the manufacturer and investigate the case.

Next, the consumer can file a report with Inmetro, the agency responsible for regulating and inspecting certified products in Brazil. It is also possible to contact Procon in their region when there are signs of misleading advertising or the sale of a product that does not match the stated specifications.

Another alternative is to report the case to Qualifio, which receives reports related to the quality of wires and electrical cables and carries out market monitoring actions. Depending on the situation, the organization may forward the case for analysis and to the competent authorities.

Cheap can become expensive

To avoid future problems, the recommendation is always to buy cables from recognized manufacturers, request an invoice, check Inmetro certification, and be suspicious of prices far below the market average. Often, a small saving at the time of purchase can result in much higher costs for maintenance or electrical installation repairs.

Conclusion: the correct response to an undersized cable is technical and immediate

Choosing certified, high-quality electrical cables is essential to ensuring the safety of installations and people. Products outside specifications can cause heating, electrical failures, and even fires. Therefore, it is important for consumers and professionals to pay attention to the origin of the materials and the required certifications. In addition, reporting irregularities helps combat the sale of unsuitable products and contributes to a safer and more reliable market.

Trust Induscabos to comply with standards

Induscabos has quality and safety certifications for the manufacturing and distribution of the electrical cables produced in our factory. We are committed to every aspect of safety, testing and approving the cables that leave production, directly contributing to stopping the supply of undersized and non-compliant cables. Check out our certifications and learn more about our cables! Click here!