Current Copper Prices Update 2012
For the most of 2012 copper prices have been pretty steady in the $3.50 to $4.00 per pound range. Copper pricing had been in the high $4′s throughout most of 2011 until the end of the year when it started to drop quite a bit.
Copper has literally been a hot commodity over the past 5 years because it’s not only easy for thieves to get their hands on, but also easy for thieves to trade it in for cash at a local metal scrap yard. Once any type of copper electrical wire gets “scrapped” the insulation is burned off and the bare copper is melted down to be sold back to copper wire manufacturers.
Copper scrap yards have been around for years but became much more popular recently with metals skyrocketing in worth. It’s always been convenient for distributors of electrical wire and cable to be able to scrap short lengths, old inventory and nonconforming product in order to receive about 50% of it’s worth in cash.
Different cables are expensive for different reasons such as THHN wire compared to Portable cord products. THHN wire is a standard electrical wire used by contractors that has thick copper strands and a thin insulation that provides a small amount of protection. THHN wire exactly what theives would be interested in because of the large amount of copper and little amount of insulation. The cost is mostly in the copper only.
Portable cord has very thin, flexible copper strands for coiling and bending around corners. It also has an expensive thick rubber jacket that adds a lot of cost due to the time and cost of production for the manufacturers. Stealing THHN wire will get the theif much more money per foot of wire compared to the portable cord products.
WesBell Electronics Inc
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