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Understanding the Different Grades of Copper Scrap

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by - 1/3/2022 215050 Views

Knowing the different grades of Copper Scrap helps to determine the best price when selling or buying Copper Scrap for better profits.

Copper Scrap is the most valuable scrap metal commonly used in constructions, motors, industrial machinery, and electronics that can be recycled and reformed without losing its quality. And now, Copper Scrap recycling business is thriving.

Copper Scrap comes in various grades, priced differently according to the percentage of copper content it has. Understanding the different grades of Copper Scrap helps to determine the best price when selling or buying Copper Scrap for better profits. There are six categories of Copper Scrap grades. They are as follows.

Different Grades of Copper Scrap with ISRI Codes

No.1 Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Code BARLEY or BERRY)

• No.2 Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Code BIRCH)

• No.3 Copper Scrap or Sheet Copper Scrap (ISRI Code DREAM)

• Insulated Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Code DRUID or DROID)

• Copper Solids & Tubings Scrap (ISRI Code CANDY)

• Copper Wire Scrap Nodules (ISRI Code CLOVE)

This article focuses on different grades of Copper scraps and the various sources to collect the copper scraps. Let’s look at them in detail and know about their current market price in the US, Canada, and India.

How to Classify the Different Grades of Copper Scrap?

1. Bare Bright Copper Scrap or No.1 Copper Wire Scrap

Bare Bright Copper Scrap or No.1 Copper Wire Scrap - Grades of Copper Scrap

One of the most valuable and highly paid grade of Copper Scrap is Bare Bright Copper Scrap or No.1 Copper Wire Scrap. Bare Bright Copper Scrap is identified by its “Bright & Shiny” appearance; it is clean and bare of insulation. Bare Bright Copper Scrap comes under the category of ISRI Code BARLEY and BERRY.

If you come across any wires or cables at your home, you can strip the insulation off to find the bare bright copper inside. You can make more money out of that when you sell it in a scrap yard or recycling center.

Common Sources of No.1 Copper Wire Scrap

i. Old TV & Monitors

Copper Wire Scrap in Yokes of Old TV - Grades of Copper Scrap

You can collect copper wires from the yoke of the old TV & monitors containing a series of weaved copper wires. These copper wires appear to be bright and shiny and considered Bare Bright Copper Scrap or No.1 Copper Wire Scrap.

If the Copper Wire has burnt slightly or dirty, you can keep that copper wire separately as this kind of Copper Wire Scrap is priced less than bare and shiny copper. Dirty copper wire scrap falls under the category of ISRI Code BIRCH – No.2 Copper Wire Scrap.   

What is the Current No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Price?

While I write this article, No.1 Copper Wire Scrap is trading at

Bare Bright Copper Scrap Price (Canada): 4.93 CAD/lbs

No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Price (US): 3.85 USD/lbs

No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Price (South India): Rs.568/KG

You can get the latest Copper Scrap price at RecycleInMe. Please click here to find the current Indian Copper Scrap prices and US Copper Wire Scrap prices.

Latest No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Offers at RIM

Exporting 100 MT of Copper Wire Scrap from the United States

Large Quantity of Copper Wire Scrap Available for Sale in Durban

2. No.2 Copper Wire Scrap

No.2 Copper Wire Scrap - Grades of Copper Scrap

No.2 Copper Wire Scrap is identified by its dirty appearance and has contamination. No.2 Copper Wire Scrap is priced less than No.1 Copper Wire Scrap as it consists of burnt copper wire. This category mainly includes motor winding wires of electrical products like the mixer, wet grinder, electrical fan, cable wire, telephone wire, house wiring cables, etc.

Sources of No.2 Copper Wire Scrap

i. Old Electric Motors

Copper Winding Scrap in old electric motors - Grades of Copper Scrap

Usually, the Copper wire enameled in the old motors is slightly burnt. The burnt or flamed copper wires are considered No.2 Copper Wire Scrap (ISRI Code – BIRCH). Old electric motors from AC/HVAC units have insulated copper wire in the form of the coil winding. You can collect a huge amount of No.2 Copper wire scrap from electric motors, transformers, and generators. The copper windings are the most valuable in the scrap motors. If you dismantle the old Electric motors, you can make cash out of those copper wires.

ii. End-of-Life Vehicles

You can also scrap your End-of-Life Vehicle for copper as it consists of Copper wiring especially, Copper electric motor and the wiring ‘harness’ that connects the lights and motors. All these copper wires can be categorized as No.2 Copper Wire Scrap.

What is the Current No.2 Copper Wire Scrap Price?

As of today, No.2 Copper Wire Scrap is trading at

No.2 Copper Wire Scrap Price (US): 3.29 USD/lbs

No.2 Copper Wire Scrap Price (Canada): 4.46 CAD/lbs

No.2 Copper Wire Scrap Price (South India): Rs.515/KG

Latest No.2 Copper Wire Scrap Offers at RIM

Large Quantity of Birch Copper Scrap of 96% Purity for Sale

380 MT Copper Birch Scrap Available for Sale

3. No.3 Copper Scrap

Sheet Copper Scrap - Grades of Copper Scrap

No.3 Copper Scrap is the lowest grade of Copper Scrap and shall consist of miscellaneous, unalloyed thin gauged Copper Scraps such as sheet copper, gutters, downspouts, kettles; boilers containing a high level of solder or paint contaminants. According to ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020, No.3 Copper Scrap or Light Scrap is categorized under the ISRI Code “DREAM.”

No.3 Copper Scrap is valued much lower because of the amount of tar and paint on it. When processing No.3 Copper Scrap for reuse, the paint or tar needs to be burned, and it is a much more involved process. If you are renovating your old house or dismantling any buildings, don’t forget to scrap the Copper roofing and gutters.

What is the Current No.3 Copper Scrap Price?

Sheet Copper Scrap Price (US): 3.05 USD/lbs

No.3 Copper Scrap Price (Canada): 4.36 CAD/lbs

4. Insulated Copper Wire Scrap

Insulated Copper Wire Scrap - Grades of Copper Scrap

Insulated Copper Wire Scrap consists of bare and unalloyed Copper cables larger than 16 gauge with various types of insulation. If you remove the insulation, the Copper wire resembles No.1 Copper Wire Scrap grade (ISRI Code – BARLEY). According to ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020, Insulated Copper Wire Scrap is categorized under the ISRI Code “DRUID or DROID.”

Sources of Insulated Copper Wire Scrap

i. Electrical Contractors

Copper wiring is highly used for power distribution at residential houses, industries, buildings, schools, offices, etc. Insulated copper wire scraps are highly supplied by electricians or electrical contractors. The left-over insulated Copper wires can be collected from electrical contractors and can be recycled. Also, if you are renovating your old house or offices, you can collect insulated copper wiring for scrap.

Insulated Copper wire can also found in ground electrical systems, telecommunications wiring, electronic circuitry, and countless types of electrical equipment.

ii. Electronic Appliances

Many electronics have wires on the outside, but when opening up, we can find more insulated wires and, they are most probably copper wires. In VCRs, DVD players, you can find thinner Insulated Copper Wires. You can sell the insulated wire scraps in scrapyards as they contain copper inside. Insulated Copper Wire Scraps fall under the category of ISRI Code – DRUID or DROID (No.1 Insulated Copper Wire Scrap). You can also find Copper wiring in standard telecommunication wires, extension cords, and electronics outlets that can be cut off and recycled.

iii. Household Electronic Appliances

Large electronic appliances at your home such as refrigerators, freezers, dryers, washer machines, dishwashers, ovens, and other electronic devices have a thicker insulated wire. You can scrap this Insulated Wire as they are copper wiring and sell it in scrap yards as Insulated Copper Wire Scrap comes under the category of ISRI Code – DRUID.

Small electronic appliances in your house have insulated copper wire inside and outside of them. For example, coffee makers, AC units, fans, blenders, and toasters have insulated copper wire. All this Insulated Copper Wire Scrap falls under the ISRI Code – DROID. Even our Mobile charger and handheld games have copper insulated wire.

What is the Current Insulated Copper Wire Scrap price in India?

Copper Cable Scrap Price (Mumbai): Rs.730/KG

Latest Insulated Copper Wire Scrap Offers at RIM

Selling Huge Quantity of Insulated Copper Wire Scrap

5. Copper Tubings & Solids Scrap

Copper Tubings & Solids Scrap -Grades of Copper Scrap

Similar to Bare Bright Copper Wire, Copper Tubings & Solids is the second most profitable grade of Copper Scrap. Copper Tubings and Solids Scrap is clean and free of any impurities like brass fittings, steel, plastic, paint, solder, and other materials but shows few signs of corrosion. Copper Tubings & Solids Scrap comes under the ISRI Code CANDY or CLIFF.

Sources of Copper Tubings & Solids Scrap

The most common example of Copper Solids & Tubings is plumbing pipes and water line pipes. Copper Solids and Tubings Scrap are highly supplied by plumbers, demolition contractors, mechanical & HVAC contractors.

If you’re a contractor or plumber and have a lot of copper piping from plumbing fixtures, you can cut those brass fittings & tin solder off from the ends of the Copper tubing and make more money out of it as they are considered No.1 Copper Tubings Scrap (ISRI Code – CANDY).

What to do with solder and brass-fitting copper tubings? Copper tubings and solids with brass fittings or tin solder are considered No.2 Copper Tubing Scrap (ISRI Code – CLIFF). No.2 Copper tubing Scrap is priced less because processing them takes a long time and needs more refinement as more impurities are attached.

No.2 Copper Tubings & Solids Scrap - Grades of Copper Scrap

You can also collect Copper tubing’s from home heating (traditional and radiant), fuel gas (natural gas and LP gas) distribution, refrigerant line, medical gas delivery in hospital, solar energy systems, fire sprinklers, air conditioning systems (AC radiators), compressed-air systems, and cryogenic systems, etc. All these kinds of copper tubing also come under No.1 Copper Tubing & Solids.

What is the current Copper Tubing Scrap price in India?

Copper Heavy Scrap Price (Mumbai): Rs.717/KG

6. Copper Wire Scrap Nodules

Copper wire nodules Clove - Grades of Copper Scrap

Copper Wire Nodules consist of unalloyed Copper Wire Scrap nodules that are by-products of a shredding or chopping process. Copper Wire Scrap Nodules have a minimum copper content of 99%.

Sources of Copper Wire Scrap Nodules

i. Copper Manufacturing Units

If you have a copper manufacturing/recycling plant, while chopping or shredding the Copper Wire scraps including, insulated copper wire scrap, you can find small nodule-shaped copper scraps. Those Copper Nodules have 99% copper content and, they are considered No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Nodules under the ISRI Code CLOVE. Remember, No.1 Copper Wire Scrap Nodules must be free of any kinds of impurities. If the Copper Wire Scrap Nodules are dirty in appearance and have some metal impurities, you can sell them separately as they are priced less than No.1 Copper Wire Nodules and considered as No.2 Copper wire Scrap Nodules (ISRI Code – COBRA). If the metal impurities were found to be more than usual, they are considered as No.3 Copper Wire Scrap Nodules (ISRI Code – COCOA).

Having Lots of Copper Scraps with You? What to Do Next?

Do you have any grade of copper scraps mentioned above with you? Are you looking to buy a large number of Copper Scraps? You have landed on the right platform; you can sell or buy any grade of Copper Scraps through our B2B scrap portal RecycleInMe. RecycleInMe is an online scrap marketplace dealing with 100 plus scrap and recyclables. At RecycleInMe, you can find scrap copper, scrap copper prices, scrap copper suppliers, scrap copper buyers, scrap copper offers to buy and sell along with other various categories of scrap. Register now and start receiving business leads.

Post and/or search the latest Copper Scrap Sell Offers at RIM

Post and/or search the latest Copper Scrap Buy Offers at RIM

RecycleInMe also provide Copper Scrap prices from India, Canada, US, Japan and more. To get Copper Scrap prices instantly, subscribe for Current Copper Scrap Prices.

Category : Copper

Tags : Copper Scrap, Grades of Copper Scrap, No.1 Copper Wire Scrap, No.2 Copper Wire Scrap, No.3 Copper Scrap


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About Jenisha Rajakumar

I'M a Research Analyst and Content Creator at RIM. Currently I'm researching on Copper Prices around the Globe and the impacts on Copper Scrap Prices with regard to COMEX, LME, SHFE and MCX. .... more info

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