what's the difference between #1 and #2 copper?

[Hobby_Man22]

An electrician friend of mine that was retiring and moved away a couple years ago gave me a bunch of stripped copper wire. Probably 50 pounds of clean stripped wire then maybe another 50-60 pounds of bad insulated THHN wire for the most part. I'm not up to the lingo. I researched it briefly the other day and one goes for like $16/lb and the other goes for like $3/lb Which one does mine qualify for?

I don't know why he didn't bring it to get scrapped. I guess the price wasn't worth the hassle at the time and he must of been tired from moving or something.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

well the difference between #1 and #2 cu is the size.

as far as the price difference, stripped copper will always pay more than insulated copper.

but i doubt its going for $16/lb

even in the hay days of recycling, stripped copper didnt go for much more than $5/lb

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I was just going to hang onto it as an investment. I'm sure I'll get more 30 years from now than if I sell it today.

 

[Terry D]

You will always get more for copper that has been stripped, almost double. As far as #1 and #2. I think you are referring to the grade. #1 would be stripped and #2 still has the insulation on it. Depending on what size you have, it might be worth stripping it. If its NM-b, I don't even bother stripping it. Its usually around $3/lb around here for #1 bare, but since the wire has went up crazy in price, maybe scrap value has also.

 

[TractorJeff]

He is not asking about 1ga verses 2ga. He is asking about Scrap Yard "Lingo". Number 1 Copper is less than $4 a pound. Number 2 Copper is less than $2 a pound. To qualify as #1 it needs to be clean and shiny (not green), dull color is fine. #2 is typically dirty to a degree like bits of solder on tubing ends. All this is the buyers discression so you need to take in some lesser value material to get an idea of how they operate.
60 pounds of stripped THHN, I would not be hauling to the local (Town/Small) guy (middle man). I would be hauling that to a larger Yard (City/Commercial) that deals directly with the Smelter. Everyone gets a cut on the final pricing. The larger yard may pay $3.65/lb, smaller yard may pay $2.80/lb. In good heavy poundage as described, I would strip the rest of the wire, stored inside till I was ready to take it in. Squashed in to a 55 gallon drum is a decent storage device BUT you need to weigh the Barrel and mark it very well as to its empty weight. They have different weight/gauge of Barrels and those guys will go with the heaviest they can get a way with!
Ex: Local Recycler pays a percentage of Copper in unstripped wire. Some is listed as 65% (NM-b with outer sheath removed) and the other maybe listed as 35% (Extension Cord with outer sheath removed) of #2 price.

 

[Norcal]

#1 copper can have natural corrosion on it, #2 copper is plated, or has solder, paint, on it, copper that is bright & shiny is worth a bit more then #1 copper. Insulated wire is in a category all by itself.

 

[Terry D]

Im sure everywhere is different. Where I take mine to scrap, they have

Bare copper - BB ( bright and shiny )#1 and #2

Insulated copper - #1 and #2

 

[Bert_]

Stripped and cut to length is #1 price I think.

 

[sparky 1971]

I took a 30 gallon trash can in last friday. 96 pounds, with insulation was $2.18 per pound. I'm not sure what the scrap yard calls insulated wire, there was nothing listed on the price board that brought $2.18. #1 was $3.10 and #2 was $3.00.

 

[ratdoggy]

#1 copper can have natural corrosion on it, #2 copper is plated, or has solder, paint, on it, copper that is bright & shiny is worth a bit more then #1 copper. Insulated wire is in a category all by itself.

He's right.......
#1 no paint or solder
#2 has paint, solder and or soldered joints
Bare bright shiny
Insulated wire depends on the size of the strands

 

[rustyjames]

The exception to soldered joints is if they're silver brazed, then it's considered #1.

 

[ratdoggy]

The exception to soldered joints is if they're silver brazed, then it's considered #1.

No one checks that that I've ever seen.
I don't think anyone bringing the stuff in would even ask.
I was never asked about that in the 12 years I managed a yard
And the guy you're going to sell it to a middle man would just assume it's regular solder and knock it down to #2