Reference

Scrap Cable Identification Guide

Identify the cable grades you're holding, understand their typical copper content, and know which ones are worth more. If you're not sure what you have, give us a call — we'll confirm over the phone.

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High

Bright Copper Cable

Clean, bright, uncoated copper wire. Free from attachments, solder, or other metals.

Typical Copper Content
99.9%
Typical Uses
Scrap recovery, scrap processors & cable distributors
Identification Tips
Distinctive bright orange-red colour. Flexible strands. No coating.
Low

Pluggy Copper Cable

General copper cable with attachments such as plugs, fuse boxes, switches etc.

Typical Copper Content
20.0%
Typical Uses
General electrical work, appliance wiring, ripouts.
Identification Tips
Any cable with clear attachments. Typically household cable - cable such as SWA with brass attachments are not classed as pluggy and will be purchased as SWA/SWA Contam.
Medium

Twin Earth Cable

Copper wire with PVC insulation. Common in domestic and commercial electrical installations.

Typical Copper Content
65.0%
Typical Uses
Twin and earth, lighting circuits, power cables, oven and moderate-power appliance installations.
Identification Tips
Coloured PVC outer coating (grey, white). Inner copper visible at cut ends.
Medium-Low

Armoured Cable (SWA)

Steel Wire Armoured cable. Steel outer layer with copper conductors inside.

Typical Copper Content
35.0%
Typical Uses
Underground supply, industrial power, outdoor installations
Identification Tips
Heavy, rigid. Steel wire outer layer visible. Black PVC jacket.
Low-Medium

Data Cable (Cat5/Cat6)

Twisted pair data cable. Small gauge copper wires inside protective jacket.

Typical Copper Content
40.0%
Typical Uses
Computer networks, telecoms, CCTV
Identification Tips
Four pairs of twisted wire. RJ45 connectors common. Thin flexible cable.
Low

Aluminium Cable

Cable with aluminium conductors instead of copper. Lighter than copper equivalent.

Typical Copper Content
0.0%
Typical Uses
Overhead power lines, large industrial feeds
Identification Tips
Silver-white conductor colour. Much lighter than copper. Often larger diameter.
Low

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable with copper core, dielectric insulation, and copper braid shield.

Typical Copper Content
50.0%
Typical Uses
TV aerial, satellite, CCTV
Identification Tips
Single copper core, white or black outer. Screw-on F-type connectors.
Medium-High

Pyro cable (MI)

Mineral Insulated cable. Copper sheath with copper conductors in mineral insulation.

Typical Copper Content
80.0%
Typical Uses
Fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, high-temperature areas
Identification Tips
Solid copper outer sheath. Very rigid. Brass fittings at ends.
Medium

Household Cable

Standard PVC-insulated copper cable found in most homes, including lighting circuits, socket ring mains and appliance wiring. Stripped of its outer sheathing it grades as high-value bright copper

Typical Copper Content
40.0%
Typical Uses
Domestic appliance power cable, extension lead cable.
Identification Tips
Perfectly round cable with 3 small cores of stranded copper. Household cable is found on most, if not all household electrical items.
Process

Not Sure What Your Cable Is Worth?

Send us a photo or give us a call and we'll grade it for you — then deliver a bin and collect it whenever you're ready.

Step 01

Send Us a Photo

Not sure what grade you have? Email a photo and we'll confirm what it is and roughly what it's worth.

Step 02

We Deliver a Bin

A secure QR-tracked bin is delivered to your site for free. No contracts, no minimum commitment.

Step 03

Weigh & Pay

We collect, weigh the cable on-site, and pay by bank transfer within 48 hours.

Have Cable You Can't Identify?

Call or email us a photo and we'll tell you what grade it is and arrange a free bin.

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