Hello is it profitable to recover copper from the cable as in this auction According to the seller, 1mb = 1kg and here's the second question, how much would the copper itself weigh?

I understand that you would like to buy a cable, peel it and sell it for scrap?

And isn't the price quoted in the auction for 1mb?

well, the price is for 1mb I wrote above

That's where it comes out PLN 21.90 per meter. After plucking you will have maybe 0.7 kg. I don't know how much copper is now, but it would have to cost around PLN 30 per kilo to make it worthwhile.

If you find a buyer for copper who will give you more than PLN 30 per kilo, of course it pays off if you have nothing to do at home but pluck cables.

Oh well, it's a pity, but about 0.7 kg I had?

I doubt that the profit from these cables will compensate you for the effort you put into stripping this wire of insulation... Really. I've been putting my strength on just such a cable lately. Average enjoyment...

Of course, you can recover this copper in an easier way than by plucking, but there will be no profit from it. You will have to pay extra for the business. Here I found a scrap metal price list.

where else can you get copper for sale?

Copper Recovery from Cables: Profitability, Auction Link, YKY 5x16 Cable, 1mb=1kg, Copper Weight

toom16 112875 33

Best answers

Is it profitable to buy YKY 5x16 cable, strip it, and sell the recovered copper scrap, and how much copper would be in one meter?

No, the thread’s answer is that stripping this cable is not profitable: at about PLN 21.90 per meter, you would end up with only about 0.7 kg of copper after stripping, so the copper would need to be worth around PLN 30 per kg just to make it worthwhile [#5717465] Another reply says that even with easier methods than manually peeling the cable, there still won’t be profit and you may even have to pay extra for the operation [#5717549] If you want copper for scrap, the better sources mentioned are old transformers, motors, and especially starter electromagnets, which are easier to dismantle and contain relatively more copper [#5717566][#5717633]

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#1 5717419 09 Nov 2008 09:22

toom16 toom16

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Post #1
5717419 09 Nov 2008 09:22

Hello
is it profitable to recover copper from the cable as in this auction
http://allegro.pl/item471500309_kabel_yky_5x16_produk_yky_5x16_hurtoiwnia.html
According to the seller, 1mb = 1kg
and here's the second question, how much would the copper itself weigh?

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#2 5717424 09 Nov 2008 09:24

lowbird lowbird

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Post #2
5717424 09 Nov 2008 09:24

I understand that you would like to buy a cable, peel it and sell it for scrap?
#3 5717430 09 Nov 2008 09:27

toom16 toom16

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Post #3
5717430 09 Nov 2008 09:27

So
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#4 5717449 09 Nov 2008 09:40

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #4
5717449 09 Nov 2008 09:40

And isn't the price quoted in the auction for 1mb?
#5 5717459 09 Nov 2008 09:44

toom16 toom16

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Post #5
5717459 09 Nov 2008 09:44

well, the price is for 1mb I wrote above
#6 5717465 09 Nov 2008 09:48

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #6
5717465 09 Nov 2008 09:48

That's where it comes out PLN 21.90 per meter. After plucking you will have maybe 0.7 kg. I don't know how much copper is now, but it would have to cost around PLN 30 per kilo to make it worthwhile.
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#7 5717475 09 Nov 2008 09:52

lowbird lowbird

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Post #7
5717475 09 Nov 2008 09:52

If you find a buyer for copper who will give you more than PLN 30 per kilo, of course it pays off if you have nothing to do at home but pluck cables.
#8 5717477 09 Nov 2008 09:53

toom16 toom16

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Post #8
5717477 09 Nov 2008 09:53

Oh well, it's a pity, but about 0.7 kg I had?
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#9 5717535 09 Nov 2008 10:23

Anonymous Anonymous

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Post #9
5717535 09 Nov 2008 10:23

I doubt that the profit from these cables will compensate you for the effort you put into stripping this wire of insulation... Really. I've been putting my strength on just such a cable lately. Average enjoyment...
#10 5717549 09 Nov 2008 10:28

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #10
5717549 09 Nov 2008 10:28

Of course, you can recover this copper in an easier way than by plucking, but there will be no profit from it. You will have to pay extra for the business. Here I found a scrap metal price list.
#11 5717552 09 Nov 2008 10:29

toom16 toom16

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Post #11
5717552 09 Nov 2008 10:29

where else can you get copper for sale?
#12 5717566 09 Nov 2008 10:35

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #12
5717566 09 Nov 2008 10:35

Copper can be obtained from old transformers, motors, etc. But it's a lot of tinkering.
#13 5717582 09 Nov 2008 10:42

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #13
5717582 09 Nov 2008 10:42

JERZYKOWSKI wrote:
Copper can be obtained from old transformers, motors, etc. But it's a lot of tinkering.

Such as stripping the core. Neighbor used to play it. He struggled for 2 full days, and he got 30 zlotys...
#14 5717591 09 Nov 2008 10:48

toom16 toom16

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Post #14
5717591 09 Nov 2008 10:48

Like a transformer?
#15 5717633 09 Nov 2008 11:02

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #15
5717633 09 Nov 2008 11:02

It is most profitable to disassemble electromagnets from starters, they are easy to dismantle and there is a relatively large amount of copper, you just need a large amount to make some profit from it.
#16 5717641 09 Nov 2008 11:05

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #16
5717641 09 Nov 2008 11:05

toom16 wrote:
Like a transformer?

It's only 6 times bigger. He was sitting in a Soviet microwave from Elektronika; p
#17 5717663 09 Nov 2008 11:12

toom16 toom16

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Post #17
5717663 09 Nov 2008 11:12

then you say that there is a lot of copper in the electromagnets, then it will poke
#18 5718666 09 Nov 2008 15:42

wamp wamp

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Post #18
5718666 09 Nov 2008 15:42

Just don't cut traction because I'm going on a trip tomorrow and I don't want to be late
#19 5721606 10 Nov 2008 12:25

DJ Max DJ Max

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Post #19
5721606 10 Nov 2008 12:25

The traction is aluminum
#20 5721832 10 Nov 2008 13:45

DJ MHz DJ MHz

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Post #20
5721832 10 Nov 2008 13:45

Motor windings (from refrigerator compressors, etc.). You just have to play with the grinder a bit, and then pull out the pieces with pliers .
#21 5721924 10 Nov 2008 14:12

DJ Max DJ Max

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Post #21
5721924 10 Nov 2008 14:12

transpacyfic93 wrote:
I doubt that the profit from these cables will compensate you for the effort you put into stripping this wire of insulation... Really. I've been putting my strength on just such a cable lately. Average enjoyment...

You can get used to picking at cables, find a technique and, above all, a place for this work ... Oh, and you need thick gloves and a knife.
#22 5722188 10 Nov 2008 15:40

Futrzaczek Futrzaczek

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Post #22
5722188 10 Nov 2008 15:40

DJ Max wrote:

You can get used to picking at cables, find a technique and, above all, a place for this work ... Oh, and you need thick gloves and a knife.

But why?
I put the cable scraps in the oven, mix it with some balls of paper and ignite it. The boiler (120l) is heated up and even faster. The fire is also good. I tried to pluck cables once, but it's not on my nerves...

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#23 5722201 10 Nov 2008 15:43

DJ Max DJ Max

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Post #23
5722201 10 Nov 2008 15:43

1. they pay less for burnt copper
2. stench and smoke, you can do it in some reeds or in the countryside, but at home with medium-dense buildings there is no point
3. this plucking is not so bad, you will make 20 meters of cable, swear and get used to it, you can fly whole spools
#24 5723386 10 Nov 2008 20:32

Futrzaczek Futrzaczek

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Post #24
5723386 10 Nov 2008 20:32

Quote:
1. they pay less for burnt copper

First time I hear of something like this. They only segregate into small (cables, cuttings, etc.) and coarse (tubes, saucepans, etc.)

Quote:
2. stench and smoke, you can do it in some reeds or in the countryside, but at home with medium-dense buildings there is no point

It depends on your relations with your neighbors
Perfume once in a while won't hurt anyone. Unless someone is processing it in industrial quantities...

Quote:
3. this plucking is not so bad, you will make 20 meters of cable, swear and get used to it, you can fly whole spools

The problem begins when you have two bags of different scraps and trimmings of different lengths. There are better occasions to curse yourself

Company Account:
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Zacisze 20B, Serock, 05-140 | Company Website: https://elektronika.top/
#25 5723404 10 Nov 2008 20:37

DJ Max DJ Max

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Post #25
5723404 10 Nov 2008 20:37

stołek_-92 wrote:

The problem begins when you have two bags of different scraps and trimmings of different lengths. There are better occasions to curse yourself

Then it's actually better to burn...
#26 5736098 13 Nov 2008 22:45

Łukasz-O Łukasz-O

Admin of electroenergetics

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Post #26
5736098 13 Nov 2008 22:45

DJ Max wrote:
The traction is aluminum

Are you sure mate?
#27 5736138 13 Nov 2008 22:51

DJ Max DJ Max

Level 30

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Post #27
5736138 13 Nov 2008 22:51

So far I have been, but I have never had direct contact with her ;)

If it's copper, I'm honestly not surprised that it can disappear without a trace
#28 5736228 13 Nov 2008 23:07

Łukasz-O Łukasz-O

Admin of electroenergetics

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Post #28
5736228 13 Nov 2008 23:07

DJ Max wrote:

If it's copper, I'm honestly not surprised that it can disappear without a trace

Not only the network can disappear without a trace, but also the one who wants to steal it
#29 12809030 04 Oct 2013 21:29

pawello54 pawello54

Level 2

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Post #29
12809030 04 Oct 2013 21:29

hello - I hope this is in the right topic. How much copper can be contained in one meter of cable marked PFSP 1KV 3x120/70mm2. I have the opportunity to buy the above for PLN 30 per meter and would it be worth it to just strip it down to copper.
#30 12812287 05 Oct 2013 20:08

c4r0 c4r0

Level 36

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Post #30
12812287 05 Oct 2013 20:08

Good topic but too old... You should start a new one. In the cable designation you have the cross-section (this is the cross-section of the conductor). Any junior high school student should be able to count in a minute exactly how much copper will be in a meter of this cable.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the profitability of recovering copper from YKY 5x16 cables, as referenced in an auction link. Participants analyze the cost of the cable, which is priced at PLN 21.90 per meter, and estimate that stripping the insulation yields approximately 0.7 kg of copper per meter. For profitability, the selling price of copper would need to exceed PLN 30 per kg. Various methods of copper recovery are discussed, including stripping cables and dismantling old transformers or motors, with some participants expressing skepticism about the effort versus profit ratio. The conversation also touches on alternative sources of copper and the challenges associated with the recovery process.

FAQ

TL;DR: Stripping a YKY 5×16 cable yields about 0.7 kg of clean copper per metre (≈70 % metal) [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #5717465]; "it would have to cost around PLN 30 / kg to make it worthwhile" [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #5717465]

Quick Facts

• YKY 5×16 mass: 1 kg / m, copper ≈0.7 kg (insulation ≈30 %) [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #5717465] • PFSP 3×120/70 mm² contains ≈4 kg copper per metre [Elektroda, c4r0, post #12813894] • Bare bright copper scrap price in Poland: PLN 22–29 /kg ("Polish Scrap Price List 2023"). • Burnt copper is typically discounted by ~10 % [Elektroda, DJ Max, post #5722201] • Copper density: 8.96 g/cm³ (MatWeb).

How much copper is inside one metre of YKY 5×16 cable?

The cable has five conductors, each 16 mm². Total cross-section = 80 mm². Volume per metre = 80 cm³. Multiplying by copper density 8.96 g/cm³ gives ≈716 g, rounded to 0.7 kg [Elektroda, Anonymous, #5717465; MatWeb].

Is buying YKY 5×16 at PLN 21.90 / m profitable for scrap?

No. Copper value: 0.7 kg × PLN 25 ≈ PLN 17.5. Purchase cost: PLN 21.9. You lose about PLN 4.4 per metre before labour [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #5717465]

What percentage of a power-cable’s weight is insulation?

Typical power cables show 25–35 % insulation by mass. YKY 5×16 sits near the high end with about 30 % plastic sheath [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #5717465]

How much copper is in PFSP 1 kV 3×120/70 mm²?

Designation means 3 × 120 mm² phase plus 1 × 70 mm² neutral → 430 mm² total. Volume per metre = 430 cm³. Mass = 430 cm³ × 8.96 g/cm³ ≈ 3.85 kg copper per metre [Elektroda, c4r0, #12813894; MatWeb].

Where can I harvest copper more easily than from cables?

Starter electromagnets and refrigerator-compressor motors contain larger, loosely wound coils that pull out fast [Elektroda, Anonymous, #5717633; DJ MHz, #5721832]. A single starter yields up to 0.4 kg copper—four times a metre of YKY 5×16.

Which is faster: knife-stripping or burning insulation, and how does it affect price?

Burning is faster for mixed off-cuts, but scrap yards often dock ~10 % for charred wire [Elektroda, DJ Max, post #5722201] Knife-strip 20 m to "get used to it" and keep full price [Elektroda, DJ Max, post #5722201]

Do all scrap yards pay less for burnt copper?

Most do; some smaller yards only separate ‘fine’ and ‘coarse’ scrap [Elektroda, Futrzaczek, post #5723386] Call ahead—policies vary and surprise downgrades erase profit.

How can I strip thick cable safely at home?

Score the outer sheath length-wise with a hooked knife.
Twist to open, pull conductors free with pliers.
Feed each copper core through a handheld stripper to remove individual insulation. Wear cut-resistant gloves and eye protection [Elektroda, DJ Max, post #5721924]

What tools speed up cable stripping?

Budget scrappers use a bench-mount rotary stripper (~PLN 300), or a drill-powered wire-stripper jig. Larger outfits deploy automatic blade machines from brands like Bluerock or StripMeister that process up to 30 m/min.

Are there environmental or legal risks in burning cable insulation?

Yes. Open-air burning emits dioxins and can incur fines under Polish waste regulations (Ustawa o odpadach 2012). Neighbours may file nuisance complaints, halting your operation and negating gains.

What if the cable turns out to be aluminium?

Traction lines are often aluminium, not copper [Elektroda, DJ Max, post #5721606] Aluminium scrap fetches only PLN 4–7 /kg, slashing revenue by ~75 %. Use a magnet and colour check before buying.

How do I estimate copper weight in any multi-core cable?

Multiply total conductor cross-section (mm²) by 0.00896 to get kg per metre. Example: 50 mm² total × 0.00896 = 0.448 kg. Keep a pocket chart for quick market checks.