Sell 3, 2 & 1 AWG Wire in Ohio

Ohio Wire Buyers buys reusable surplus 3, 2 and 1 AWG electrical wire and cable from businesses anywhere in Ohio, as product for resale and reuse rather than scrap by the pound. To sell 2 AWG wire or neighboring sizes, send photos of the material, readable markings and remaining footage for review and a written offer before pickup.

0100 FTHow do you distinguish 3, 2 and 1 AWG from aught sizes?

Copy the complete size from the reel tag and insulation print. Within this group, 1 AWG is larger than 2 AWG, which is larger than 3 AWG. The number describes conductor size, not the finished outside diameter or a universal circuit rating.

Do not confuse 1 AWG with 1/0, or 2 AWG with 2/0. Keep slash markings intact when transcribing labels; our page on 1/0 and 2/0 surplus wire covers those larger sizes. For mixed inventory, the wire sizes we buy hub helps separate lots before an offer request.

0200 FTWhat are the copper and aluminum ampacities?

The following values are from 2023 NEC Table 310.16, reproduced in HELUKABEL's 2023 NEC ampacity reference. They assume not more than three current-carrying conductors in raceway, cable or earth, at an ambient temperature of 30°C. Each column is a conductor-temperature column, not permission to use that value in every installation.

Terminations and conditions of use govern the actual rating. Ambient temperature, conductor count, wiring method and other applicable rules can change the usable ampacity. These figures explain why copper and aluminum must be identified separately; they are not a feeder-design recommendation.

A 100 A feeder description is therefore incomplete. For example, 3 AWG copper appears at 100 A in the 75°C column, while 2 AWG aluminum appears at 90 A in that column. Do not advertise all number 2 cable as interchangeable “100 amp wire.”

0300 FTWhat do THHN reels weigh, and which put-ups are listed?

Southwire's SIMpull THHN/THWN-2 copper specifications distinguish copper content from finished insulated-wire weight. The approximate values below apply to that manufacturer's listed construction, not every cable carrying the same gauge. Its size-specific product listings include the shown factory package options.

A reel's shipping weight also includes its packaging. Do not treat gross scale weight as copper weight, or apply these single-conductor figures to SER, welding cable or shielded power cable. For footprint and loading planning, identify the actual product and reel rather than relying on gauge alone.

0400 FTWhich cable types need their own inventory lines?

Copper THHN/THWN-2 building wire comes in all three sizes. Southwire's listed product has PVC insulation and a nylon sheath, with a 600 V rating. Preserve the complete dual-rating print instead of recording only “THHN” when additional ratings remain legible.

Aluminum SER is a different product: conductors assembled beneath an overall jacket. Southwire lists 2 AWG SER with an insulated neutral and a smaller grounding conductor, so retain the complete assembly designation and photograph the end. Its SER specification also states that SE cable is not permitted underground, with or without a raceway. Keep SER and SEU surplus separate from underground distribution cable.

For URD and underground cable, Southwire's Ramapo listing confirms 2 AWG aluminum triplex rated for secondary distribution and underground service at 600 V or less. That listed product uses 1350 aluminum; do not assume every aluminum cable is an 8000-series building-wire alloy. Copy the actual type ratings rather than treating “URD” as a complete installation specification.

Specialty copper also needs separate lines. Southwire lists flexible 2 AWG welding cable, including a non-UL version, and a shielded, three-conductor 2 AWG 15 kV power cable. For medium-voltage cable, record voltage, conductor count, shielding and insulation level. Neither specialty product should be valued or described as ordinary THHN merely because the conductor is number 2.

0500 FTCan you sell 2 AWG wire on partial reels?

Yes, reusable partial reels and cut lengths can be submitted for review. Describe each uninterrupted length, not just the total footage in a pile. An unspliced run and a collection of short pieces present different reuse options even when their combined footage matches.

Keep colors separate in the inventory. If a reel holds multiple conductors, state whether their remaining lengths match and whether each is continuous. Label estimated footage plainly; the original factory tag shows the original package, not necessarily the quantity left.

Use visible footage marks or available pull records before unwinding material solely to measure it. Our guide to measuring wire left on a reel explains ways to document the remaining quantity. Do not conceal uncertain measurements behind an exact-looking number.

0600 FTWhat makes this material reusable rather than scrap?

Readable identification, useful continuous footage and sound insulation are central to the review. Keep factory tags attached and photograph cuts, flattened areas, exposed strands or damaged reel flanges. Describe whether the cable is unused, previously installed or removed during decommissioning.

Do not strip insulation, cut a long run into transport-size pieces or combine unidentified coils before contacting a buyer. Those changes can remove information or usable length. Used cable must still be reusable; removal from energized equipment is not part of an offer-photo request and should be handled only by qualified personnel under safe procedures.

Gauge and copper content alone do not establish an offer. The surplus value versus scrap price guide explains the different buying basis. If the material is not reusable, we say so; a scrap metal recycler may be the right buyer.

0700 FTWhat should you send for a gauge-specific offer?

Send a whole-lot photo with each reel or coil identifiable, followed by readable tag and insulation-print photos. Include cut ends so copper, aluminum and assembled cable are not confused. The wire reel tag guide helps identify the fields worth recording.

Your list should give the exact gauge, wire type, conductor metal, color, continuous footage and packaging for each item. For SER, include the assembly designation. For welding cable, show lugs and printed ratings; for medium-voltage material, include the complete specification and any available test documents.

Also provide your business details and ownership support, such as an invoice, purchase order, closeout paperwork or company letter. State where the material sits and whether a dock or forklift is available. Keep unknown quantities and condition concerns visible in the request rather than waiting until pickup.

0800 FTHow does Ohio pickup work for these reels?

We arrange pickup at the seller's jobsite, warehouse, plant or yard anywhere in Ohio; Ohio Wire Buyers has no Ohio street address and does not accept deliveries from sellers. After review, we reply with questions or a written offer. Payment method and timing are confirmed in writing before pickup, and the count is checked against the written terms when the material is collected.

The selling process explains those steps. We verify the seller and proof of ownership and keep a written purchase record.

Ready to clear identified feeder or specialty cable? Request an offer for your surplus wire with photos and footage, or call 951-403-5738 to discuss what information to send.