Top 5 Most Valuable Types Of Copper Wire

Copper is one of the most sought after types of scrap metal because of the value it carries, and copper wire is one of the best places to find pure copper. Copper is valued so highly because it is an excellent conductor of electricity and is therefore used in a wide range of applications, making demand for the material high. For this reason, selling copper to your local scrap metal recycling center can earn you a pretty penny! In this article, we’ll talk about five most valuable types of copper wire and where you can find them! If you are looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, contact Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA, today!

#1 Bare Bright Copper Wire

Bare bright copper wire is the most valuable type of copper wire. Bare bright copper wire is a shiny, light orange type of copper wire that has never had any coating, insulation, or other materials attached to it. To be classified as bare bright copper, the wire must be 99% copper and have no coatings, corrosion, or other impurities in it.

#2 Copper Wire

#2 copper wire is slightly lower quality than #1 bare bright copper wire, and therefore is slightly less valuable. #2 copper wire must be at least 94% pure copper, as opposed to #1 copper wire’s 99% purity, and has a darker reddish-orange color. #2 copper wire is often found in motors and copper yokes.

Insulated Copper Wire

Insulated copper wire is wire covered with a thick rubber coating. You can strip away the rubber coating, but often that’s not necessary. Many scrappers will buy insulated copper wire as it is. The offer that you’ll get for insulated copper wire usually depends on the quality of the copper inside the insulation.

THHN

THHN, also known as spaghetti wire, typically contains pure copper wire inside the insulation. Like with insulated copper wire, the price you’ll get for THHN depends on the grade of copper inside the insulation.

Romex® Wire

Romex wire is insulated copper wire that has two coatings. This wire sells for less because it requires more work to get the copper inside out. If you want to make more money for the scrap wire that you have to sell, you can remove the insulated coatings from the wire yourself.

Sell Scrap Metal To Second Street Iron & Metal In Everett, MA!​

If you’re ready to start selling copper wire or any other type of scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!