Topic: Grading and Sorting
Stripping copper wire is worth it for heavy, thick cable — and usually a waste of time for thin flex. Stripped bare copper sits around A$17.00—$21.00 per kilo, while insulated wire sits around A$7.00—$15.00. The gap is real, but so is the labour.
The honest answer depends on what cable you have and how much of it. This guide shows you how to decide.
Stripped versus insulated: the price gap
| Cable state | Indicative rate per kg | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stripped bare copper | A$17.00-$21.00 | Graded as clean copper |
| Insulated PVC wire | A$7.00-$15.00 | Priced on copper recovery |
Rates reviewed 3 November 2026. See cable scrap prices for current figures.
The insulated rate is a range for a reason: it depends entirely on how much of the cable's weight is actually copper. That percentage is what decides whether stripping is worth doing.
It all comes down to copper recovery
Copper recovery is the share of a cable's weight that is copper once the insulation is removed. It varies enormously between cable types.
| Cable type | Copper recovery | Worth stripping? |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy single-core cable | High – often well over half | Usually yes |
| Thick building wire (TPS) | Moderate | Sometimes, in volume |
| Extension leads | Low to moderate | Rarely |
| Thin flex / appliance cord | Low | No |
| Data and CAT cable | Very low | No |
| Coaxial cable | Very low | No |
With heavy cable, stripping turns a lot of weight into top-grade copper. With thin flex, you spend a long time removing plastic to recover very little copper — and you would have been paid for most of that copper anyway at the insulated rate.
The labour trade-off
The extra value from stripping is only the difference between the insulated rate and the bare rate — not the full bare rate. You are already paid for the copper inside insulated cable.
So the real question is: does the difference cover your time? For a drum of heavy cable and a proper stripping tool, it often does. For a bag of thin cords stripped with a knife, it almost never does.
A useful rule: if you would not do the job for the extra dollars per kilo, bring it in insulated. The yard pays you for the copper either way.
How to strip wire safely
Use a proper wire stripper or cable stripping tool, not a kitchen knife.
Wear gloves — cut insulation and copper strands are sharp.
Only strip dead cable — never cable that could be connected to power.
Work on a stable surface with good light.
Keep stripped copper clean and dry in its own container.
Never burn insulation off cable. It is illegal, releases toxic fumes including dioxins, and oxidises the copper so it grades lower — often below the insulated rate you would have received anyway.
Which cables are worth the effort
Worth stripping when you have volume:
Heavy single-core mains and supply cable.
Thick earthing cable.
Heavy-gauge welding cable.
Large drums of offcut from commercial electrical work.
Bring in insulated:
Household extension leads and appliance cords.
Thin flex and lighting cable.
Data, network and phone cable.
Coaxial and speaker cable.
Small mixed bundles of anything.
Where scrap cable comes from
Electricians — offcuts from installations and rewires, often the biggest regular source.
Renovations and rewires — old household wiring.
Demolition and strip-outs — large volumes of mixed cable.
Old appliances — cords and internal wiring.
Motors — winding wire. See electric motor scrap value.
Cable usually arrives mixed with other metals. Our guide to sorting scrap metal before selling covers how to split a load so every metal is paid at its own rate.
Selling cable in Adelaide
Bring cable to SA Copper Scraps at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Keep stripped bare copper separate from insulated cable — each is graded and weighed on its own, and you are paid before you leave.
Electricians and contractors with regular volumes can call 08 7225 9998. See our cable buying service for trade loads, or the copper value guide for more on copper grades.
Read our guides: protecting copper cable from theft on site · cable offcut recycling for electricians · recycling copper from old switchboards · how copper scrap is graded · copper pipe vs copper wire
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth stripping copper wire?
For heavy, thick cable in volume, usually yes. For thin flex, extension leads and data cable, usually no — the labour outweighs the gain. The deciding factor is how much of the cable's weight is copper.
How much more is stripped copper worth than insulated?
Stripped bare copper sits around A$17.00—$21.00 per kilo, and insulated wire around A$7.00—$15.00. But you are already paid for the copper inside insulated cable, so the real gain is only the difference.
What is copper recovery?
Copper recovery is the share of a cable's weight that is actually copper. Heavy single-core cable has high recovery; thin flex and data cable have very low recovery.
Can I burn the insulation off copper wire?
No. Burning cable is illegal, releases toxic fumes, and oxidises the copper so it grades lower — often below the insulated rate.
What is the best tool for stripping copper wire?
A proper wire stripper or cable stripping tool. For large volumes of heavy cable, a dedicated stripping machine makes the job practical. A knife is slow and unsafe.
Should I strip extension leads?
Usually not. Extension leads have thin multi-strand conductors and relatively low copper recovery, so stripping takes a long time for little gain.
Is data cable worth stripping?
No. Data and network cable contains very little copper by weight. Bring it in as it is.
Do you buy insulated copper cable?
Yes. Insulated cable is accepted and priced on its copper recovery. There is no need to strip it.
Should I keep stripped and insulated cable separate?
Yes. They are graded differently, so keeping them apart ensures the stripped copper is paid at the bare copper rate.
Where can I sell scrap cable in Adelaide?
SA Copper Scraps buys stripped and insulated cable at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Each is graded and weighed separately and paid before you leave.
Final word
Strip the heavy stuff, bring the thin stuff as it is, and never burn anything. The yard pays you for the copper inside insulated cable either way — stripping only earns you the difference.
Call 08 7225 9998, or see current cable scrap prices.
