Copper Cables – What Are They and How to Identify Them?

What Are Copper Cables?

Copper cables are one of the most common forms of copper scrap, originating from electrical wires and power cables. They consist of a copper core surrounded by insulation—usually made of plastic or rubber. This material is widely accepted at scrap yards due to its high pure copper content.

Copper cable scrap comes in various forms—from thin telephone wires to thick power cables used in industrial installations.

How to Identify Copper Cables?

Identifying copper cables is relatively straightforward:

• They appear as wires of varying thicknesses
• The cable core is made of reddish-orange copper conductor
• The outer layer is plastic insulation, available in various colors depending on the cable’s purpose
• When cut open, copper wires can be seen inside, sometimes braided from multiple thin strands

It’s worth noting that copper cable scrap can be accepted by recyclers both as insulated (uncleaned) and stripped (cleaned), which affects its value.

Classification and Value of Copper Cable Scrap

In scrap metal yards, copper cables are often categorized into classes such as:

• Thin and flexible cables
• Thick-walled cables
• Power cables
• Cables with aluminum or steel cores (lower value)

The higher the pure copper content, the better the price per kilogram.

Copper Cable Price – What Does It Depend On?

The price of copper cables depends on several factors:

• The degree of purity and type of insulation
• The copper content in the specific cable
• Weight and form of the scrap (loose, coiled, cut pieces)
• Current market quotations for copper

Interested in the current price of copper cables? Contact us—we will prepare a personalized quote for you.