Types of Scrap Copper: A Complete Guide to Copper Grades and Values

Introduction

Copper is one of the most valuable and sought-after metals in the scrap industry. Whether you're a contractor, electrician, or someone cleaning out an old property, understanding the different types of scrap copper can significantly impact how much money you receive at the scrapyard.

Not all copper is valued equally. Scrap copper is categorized into different grades based on purity, condition, and contamination levels. Knowing these distinctions helps you sort your materials properly and negotiate better prices with scrap buyers.

Why Copper Grades Matter

Copper grading exists because recyclers need to know exactly what they're purchasing. Higher purity copper requires less processing to refine, making it more valuable. Contaminated or mixed copper requires additional labor and resources to prepare for reuse, which decreases its market value.

Understanding these grades helps you:

• Maximize profits by sorting copper correctly before selling
• Negotiate confidently with scrap buyers
• Avoid getting underpaid for high-quality material
• Plan removal projects more effectively

The Main Types of Scrap Copper

Bare Bright Copper (#1 Copper)

Bare bright copper is the highest grade of scrap copper, consisting of clean, uncoated, and unalloyed copper wire or cable. It must be at least 1/16 inch in diameter and completely free of oxidation, coating, solder, and attachments.

Common sources include stripped electrical wire, clean copper tubing cut to proper lengths, copper bus bars, and clean copper clippings from manufacturing. This grade commands the highest price, typically 95-100% of the current copper commodity price.

The key to identification is appearance: bare bright copper should be shiny and reddish-orange in color. If it's tarnished, oxidized, or has any coating, it's not bare bright.

#1 Copper

This grade consists of clean copper that's at least 1/16 inch thick, free from contaminants, but may have slight oxidation or tarnishing. It can include copper pipe, wire, and sheets.

Common sources are copper plumbing pipes, copper gutters and downspouts, copper flashing, and clean copper fittings. The value is slightly lower than bare bright, typically 90-95% of commodity price.

The key difference from bare bright is that this grade can have minor surface oxidation and doesn't need to be as pristine, but still must be clean and uncoated.

#2 Copper

This category includes copper that contains some contamination, such as paint, oxidation, solder, or minor attachments. It may include mixed copper items and lower-quality material.

Common sources are painted copper, soldered copper fittings, oxidized or tarnished copper, copper with minor brass or steel attachments, and burnt copper wire from wire burning. The value is typically 70-85% of commodity price, depending on contamination levels.

Many scrapyards have strict policies against burnt wire due to environmental regulations. Always strip wire mechanically rather than burning it.

Insulated Copper Wire

This type consists of copper wire that still has its insulation intact. Value depends on the copper content percentage within the wire.

The main categories include THHN/THWN building wire with thin insulation offering higher copper percentage, Romex residential electrical wire with paper and plastic sheathing, and low-grade wire like extension cords and appliance cords with thick insulation.

Value varies widely from 20-60% of commodity price based on copper recovery percentage. Consider whether it's worth your time to strip the wire. For large quantities of thick wire, stripping increases value significantly. For thin or small-gauge wire, selling as-is may be more practical.

Copper Tubing

Clean copper pipe from plumbing, HVAC, or refrigeration systems falls into this category. The main grades are ACR tubing from air conditioning and refrigeration systems, typically cleaner with sealed ends, and plumbing copper which may have solder joints or fittings attached.

Clean tubing without attachments gets #1 copper pricing. Tubing with solder or fittings may be downgraded to #2. Remove brass valves and fittings before selling to maintain higher grade pricing.

Specialty Copper Categories

Copper Breakage

This category includes mixed copper items, often containing small amounts of other metals or materials. It includes copper fittings, valves with brass components, or copper mixed with minor steel attachments. The value is lower than #2 copper, with pricing varying by yard.

Copper Transformers

Copper windings from electrical transformers, often mixed with steel laminations and insulation, fall into this specialized category with lower pricing due to processing requirements.

Copper Radiators

Automotive or industrial radiators containing copper and brass are graded as either clean radiators with copper and brass only and no steel or aluminum, or dirty radiators containing steel tanks, aluminum parts, or other contamination. Value depends heavily on purity and metal composition.

Factors That Affect Copper Prices

Purity and Contamination

The less processing required to refine your copper, the more it's worth. Even small amounts of solder, paint, or attached fittings can drop material from #1 to #2 grade.

Quantity

Larger quantities often command better prices. If you're dealing with small amounts, consider accumulating material before selling.

Market Conditions

Copper prices fluctuate daily based on global commodity markets. Check the London Metal Exchange or COMEX copper prices for current rates.

Yard Policies

Different scrapyards have different grading standards and pricing structures. Call ahead to understand their specific requirements and current pricing.

How to Prepare Copper for Maximum Value

Sorting

Separate your copper by grade before arriving at the scrapyard. Don't mix bare bright with painted copper or insulated wire with clean tubing.

Cleaning

Remove brass fittings and valves, solder when possible, steel brackets or attachments, insulation for large-gauge wire, and paint or coatings when economical.

Cutting

Cut copper tubing to manageable lengths, typically under 3-4 feet. This makes handling easier and may be required by some yards.

Documentation

Keep records of where copper came from, especially for large quantities, as some jurisdictions require documentation to prevent theft.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing grades is a critical error. Don't throw bare bright copper in with painted pipe. You'll get paid at the lowest grade price for the entire batch.

Burning insulation is illegal in many areas, creates toxic fumes, and results in oxidized copper that fetches lower prices.

Leaving attachments like brass valves on copper pipe lowers the grade. Take a few minutes to remove them and sell separately.

Not shopping around means missing better deals. Prices can vary significantly between scrapyards. Get quotes from multiple buyers, especially for large quantities.

Ignoring small pieces is wasteful. Those copper fittings and wire scraps add up. Keep a dedicated container for copper remnants from projects.

Key Takeaways

Bare bright copper is the most valuable grade, consisting of clean, uncoated wire at least 1/16 inch in diameter. Proper sorting dramatically increases your payout by keeping higher grades separate. Removing contaminants like paint, solder, and brass fittings maintains grade quality.

Stripping wire is worth it for thick gauge wire but may not be for thin wire. Market prices fluctuate, so time your sales when copper prices are favorable. Shopping multiple yards helps you find the best pricing for your specific materials.

Conclusion

Understanding copper grades transforms scrap metal from a mystery into a profitable opportunity. By learning to identify and properly sort different types of copper, you can maximize the value of your scrap materials and build better relationships with buyers.

Remember that spending a little extra time on preparation—sorting by grade, removing contaminants, and stripping valuable wire—can significantly increase your return. Whether you're an occasional scrapper or processing copper regularly, these fundamentals will serve you well.

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Ready to sell your scrap copper? Find a buyer on Scrapoli or contact us with questions about copper grading.