Sell 500 MCM Wire in Ohio

Ohio Wire Buyers buys reusable surplus 500 MCM copper and aluminum wire from businesses anywhere in Ohio, including full reels, partial reels and usable cut lengths. To sell 500 MCM wire, send photos of the material and its markings with a footage list or estimate; we review it for resale and reuse, not as scrap metal by the pound.

0100 FTWhat exactly does 500 MCM identify?

500 MCM and 500 kcmil describe the same nominal conductor area. The size alone does not identify the metal, insulation, voltage rating or number of conductors in a cable assembly. A warehouse list that says only “500 wire” leaves important questions unanswered.

Read the tag and insulation print together. Look for CU or AL, the manufacturer, the full type designation and the voltage marking. Photograph an accessible cut end without cutting off a useful section simply to make a sample.

Our wire sizes overview helps separate size from product type. For this large feeder size, retaining those details is more useful than estimating its identity from outside diameter: insulation and shielding change the finished cable's dimensions.

0200 FTHow many amps is 500 kcmil wire rated for?

The following values are from NEC Table 310.16, 2023 edition, reproduced in HELUKABEL's technical reference. They apply under the table's conditions: not more than three current-carrying conductors in raceway, cable or earth, with an ambient temperature of 30°C.

Terminations and conditions of use govern the actual rating. A 90°C insulation marking does not automatically permit the 90°C table ampacity at the equipment terminals. Ambient-temperature corrections and conductor-count adjustments may also apply.

These are identification reference values, not an installation design. Parallel feeder sets require a complete design review; do not describe an individual reel by the switchgear's service rating. Keep 350 and 400 kcmil leftovers and 250 and 300 kcmil feeder wire separate rather than treating them as interchangeable large wire.

0300 FTWhich 500 kcmil products can be sold?

Copper THHN/THWN-2 building wire is a feeder product worth identifying precisely. Southwire's SPEC 10000 describes PVC insulation beneath a nylon sheath and a 600 V rating. Its 500 kcmil construction has 37 copper strands. Keep the full dual-rating print visible rather than shortening the description to “black copper.”

XHHW-2 feeder wire has cross-linked polyethylene insulation. Southwire's aluminum version uses AA-8176 alloy conductors and is suitable for wet or dry locations up to 90°C. Record the voltage shown on the actual material; do not assume every reel shares a rating because the size matches.

There is also 500 kcmil medium-voltage cable. For example, Southwire lists a copper 15 kV product with EPR insulation, a 133% insulation level, copper tape shielding and a CPE jacket. Those construction details determine its identity; a shielded cable is not simply thicker THHN.

0400 FTHow much does a loaded reel weigh?

Use the correct manufacturer's finished-wire weight when planning handling. The figures below are approximate manufacturer specifications per 1,000 feet, excluding the reel itself. They describe these particular constructions, not every manufacturer's 500 kcmil product.

At the THHN specification weight, a 500-foot length weighs approximately 831 pounds before adding its reel. Copper-metal weight excludes insulation and is not the loading weight. A finished-wire estimate also is not a substitute for a verified loaded-reel weight when choosing lifting equipment.

Record flange diameter, overall reel width and any gross-weight label. See wire reel sizes and weights for the distinction between cable weight, reel tare and gross weight.

0500 FTWhy do continuous lengths and matching sets matter?

Total footage and usable run length answer different questions. A reel containing separate pieces is not equivalent to a continuous length with the same total footage. List each piece separately, including any damaged section that interrupts it.

For leftover feeder sets, retain each conductor's color, type and individual length. Matching runs may give a future buyer a clearer application, but do not call a lot a complete set until its contents are documented. A short neutral or a missing run can change what the lot can be used for.

For partial reels, preserve footage marks and pull records. Follow our guide to measuring wire left on a reel and label uncertain amounts as estimates. The original tag's factory length is useful history, not proof of remaining footage.

0600 FTShould you sell 500 MCM wire as surplus or scrap?

Keep identifiable, undamaged material intact while seeking a product offer. Stripping insulation or chopping a continuous feeder into manageable pieces removes the characteristics a reuse buyer needs to evaluate. The amount of copper inside does not establish a resale price for the complete wire.

Describe crushed insulation, sharp kinks, exposed strands, burned areas or storage damage honestly. Photos support review, but they do not prove that a used cable is suitable for reinstallation. Include available removal records or test documentation without presenting them as a guarantee.

Our surplus wire versus scrap guide explains the different buying basis. If the material is not reusable, Ohio Wire Buyers says so; a scrap metal recycler may be the appropriate buyer.

0700 FTWhat should you send for a 500 kcmil offer?

Send a lot list that connects each reel or cut length to its photos. For large feeder inventory, include:

• Whole-lot and individual-reel views showing how the material is packaged.
• Legible reel tags and complete insulation print identifying 500 kcmil, conductor metal, type and voltage.
• Remaining footage for each continuous length, with estimates labeled clearly.
• Cut-end and condition photos, including shield layers or attached lugs where present.
• Reel dimensions, available weight information and the Ohio pickup location.

Our guide to reading wire reel tags helps distinguish original put-up information from remaining inventory. Include proof of ownership, such as an invoice, purchase order, closeout paperwork or company letter. We verify the seller and ownership and keep a written purchase record.

0800 FTHow does pickup work for heavy feeder reels?

Tell us whether the reels sit at a dock, inside a warehouse or in an outdoor yard. Describe forklift availability, equipment access and damaged flanges before pickup is arranged. Do not dismantle a heavy reel to simplify loading without discussing the material first.

We review the photos and footage, reply with questions or a written offer before pickup, and confirm payment method and timing in writing before pickup. We arrange pickup anywhere in Ohio and check the count against the written terms. The selling process explains those steps; there is no Ohio office or yard, and we do not accept wire drop-offs.

Ready to sell 500 MCM wire without cutting it down? Request an offer for your feeder inventory with reel photos and footage, or call 951-403-5738 to discuss what you have.