500 mcm tinned copper wire

**SuperDave** · 09-28-2012, 09:28 AM

Was wondering if anyone has ever sold big wire for reuse instead of scrapping? I got a hold of some, a few over 25ft long. (tinned 500 mcm wire) any input appreciated Thanks

**billygoat** · 09-28-2012, 05:41 PM

I'm a former electrician and I've never heard of copper wire that size being tinned. Are you sure it's not aluminum? In any event, you're probably better off scrapping it. Most businesses that hire contractors pay for the new stuff and no reputable contractor or electrician would want to take a chance with it.

**IdahoScrapper** · 09-28-2012, 06:14 PM

It's possible. I had a load of 444.4 MCM that was tinned.

**billygoat** · 09-28-2012, 07:12 PM

444.4 MCM? Huh?

**RSComputer** · 09-28-2012, 11:57 PM

I've come across tinned mcm before. The only problem with it was that it was very old. We pulled it out of a school. This stuff was a nightmare. It was from around the mod 60s so it had a cloth outer jacket. That mixed in with pulling gel and way too many 90s made a job go from a couple of hours to a couple of days.

**IdahoScrapper** · 09-29-2012, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by billygoat

444.4 MCM? Huh?

Heavy copper wire. About an inch thick.

**bluemeate** · 09-29-2012, 05:10 AM

whats the wire called thats in aluminum flexy casing and usually has an aluminum trracer wire

**SuperDave** · 09-29-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by billygoat

I'm a former electrician and I've never heard of copper wire that size being tinned. Are you sure it's not aluminum? In any event, you're probably better off scrapping it. Most businesses that hire contractors pay for the new stuff and no reputable contractor or electrician would want to take a chance with it.

Thanks for the reply billygoat. The ends that are cut, you can see its clearly copper, and the weight of it confirms it. Big rubber shielding and some sort of fabric overtop. I'll see if I can take pics tonight. The stuff is almost 2 pounds per foot.