After logging in and introducing myself, I have been doing a lot of reading on this site. Thanks everyone. Now it's my turn to help a little. I have scrapped a few big motors (3 phase is all I have seen over 10 HP). When you get to the big motors 100 HP- 400 HP you can expect approximately 2/3 of the HP in pounds of copper. Example a 300 HP motor will yield about 200 pounds of copper. There are some variables that must be considered...1. Motor lead (wires to the motor) length. 2. Voltage, a dual voltage motor (230/460) tends to have more copper than a pure 460 motor. The ease with which you get your copper out depends on the frame. Drip proof motors are no match for a sledge hammer. On the other hand you and your sledge hammer are no match for a totally enclosed fan cooled motor. A TEFC motor casing must be cut in half to extract the copper even remotely easily.
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