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Question about burnt copper wire

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  1. #1
    NobleMetalWorks's Avatar
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    Copper oxidizes, where the shielded wire has had the shield stripped away, the copper will change color because of oxidation. Just like a penny will.

    If it's black where the shield has been pulled away, it could be that it arced, and oxidized during that process, which would make it turn darker.



    If you come across a large amount of copper that has been burned, there are ways to clean it easily, without too much expense, so that you will not incur a fine. I believe however, most places that fine for burning wire do so when they are able to catch the person in the act. But that burnt wire will not bring you a fine, it will just make it impossible for you to sell it as they scrap yards that purchase it will be fined for having it, and will not buy it from you.

    Scott
    At the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes--an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counterintuitive they may be, and the most ruthless skeptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new. This is how deep truths are winnowed from deep nonsense. -- Carl Sagan

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    bigburtchino's Avatar
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    I think the best thing a scraper can learn about wire is the pros and cons of stripping wire, or selling it as insulated wire. That lesson starts with the amount of wire one thinks they will be scraping. Then being able to determine just what type of wire do they have. Next is learning how to determine percentage of copper for any type of wire. All three important factors for stripping or selling it as is. Regardless of how you decide to process wire, the profit from wire will be better, know your weight, type and return percentage determines best way to deal with wire. Wire can be one the best returns for a scraper, it all depends on how you sell it, as there is at least five different grades at most yards. Lowest grades is cents per pound and highest being dollars per pound, still even in this down market.

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