Sell American Insulated Wire (AIW) in Ohio

Ohio Wire Buyers buys reusable American Insulated Wire surplus from businesses anywhere in Ohio, including full and partial reels, coils and usable cut lengths. To sell AIW wire, send photos of the manufacturer markings, reel tags and condition with a footage list or estimate; we review the material as product for resale and reuse, not as scrap metal by the pound.

0100 FTWhich company made American Insulated Wire?

American Insulated Wire Corporation's archived catalog identifies its corporate headquarters as Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Southwire's acquisition announcement identifies AIW as a Leviton subsidiary and confirms that Southwire acquired certain AIW assets, including the AIW brands, in February 2010. Describing legacy stock simply as a current Leviton product would miss that ownership change.

For sellers, the useful distinction is between the name on the original wire and the company's later history. Preserve an AIW tag as it is rather than relabeling a reel as Southwire. Our Southwire surplus page covers material carrying that manufacturer's identification.

American Insulated Wire, AIW and associated brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Ohio Wire Buyers is not affiliated with, endorsed by or an authorized dealer of the manufacturer; we buy surplus product that sellers already own. See the wire brands we buy for other manufacturer-marked inventory.

0200 FTWhat AIW products are worth submitting for review?

The archived AIW stock catalog documents a broader range than ordinary building wire. It includes flexible cord, diesel locomotive cable, portable power cable and tray cable. The following are historical product identities, not a statement that every reel carries every rating or that the same products remain in production.

Ohio contractors can submit leftover building-wire reels, while a facility stockroom may have portable cord or DLO cable to review. These are possible lot categories, not claims about previous purchases. Keep tray power and control cable separate from single conductors so footage and construction remain clear.

0300 FTWhy must older AIW ratings be read literally?

AIW's legacy catalog describes THHN/THWN building wire with a 90°C dry rating and a 75°C wet rating. UL's marking guide distinguishes THWN from THWN-2, which carries a 90°C wet rating. Do not add the “-2” suffix to a lot description because a newer building-wire reel in the same warehouse has it.

Those temperatures describe insulation ratings, not a blanket allowable circuit current. Terminations, installation conditions and the applicable electrical requirements govern use. An offer review is not an installation approval.

Flexible cord needs the same care. The AIW catalog includes both UL/CSA-listed SOOW constructions and a separately described commercial SOOW version labeled non-UL and non-CSA. Similar jacket color or diameter is not proof of equivalent certification. Photograph the original label and printed ratings rather than treating all AIW rubber cord as interchangeable.

0400 FTHow can you identify a reel with a worn AIW tag?

Look along an accessible length for the repeating manufacturer's legend. AIW's building-wire specification shows the identification “A.I.W. Corp.” alongside the conductor size, wire type and other markings. The punctuation may be easier to recognize than a faded logo on a wooden flange.

Take overlapping close-ups if the legend will not fit in one photograph. Include the complete sequence, not just the brand abbreviation. Our guide to reading cable jacket print explains how to separate the manufacturer name from type designations and test markings.

UL's marking guide explains that product, tag and carton markings may all be needed to determine suitability. Keep the original reel label or smallest package label even when the jacket print is legible. If a reel was rewound or its tag appears to describe different wire, report that mismatch instead of using the tag as unquestioned identification.

0500 FTWhat condition issues matter on older flexible cable?

Tell us whether the material is unused stock, a project leftover or cable removed from service. Include storage history and visible damage: jacket cuts, flattened sections, cracks, exposed conductors or taped repairs. An intact outside wrap does not establish the condition of every layer beneath it.

Photograph existing cut ends without cutting into a usable length solely to make a sample. Tinned copper can look silver, so do not classify an AIW DLO conductor as aluminum from appearance alone. Record any attached lugs, connectors or splices and identify where they occur along the length.

Used cable is considered only if still reusable. Photos support an initial review, but they do not prove electrical fitness or replace inspection and any testing required for an intended application. Do not disconnect energized equipment to prepare a surplus lot; removal must be handled safely by qualified personnel.

0600 FTWhat should you send to sell AIW wire?

Build the submission around the exact legacy product rather than a general description such as “old Leviton wire.” Give each reel or coil a lot identifier so its photographs match its inventory entry.

1. Send a whole-lot photo, followed by each reel tag and the complete jacket legend. Include American Mustang markings where present.
2. List the conductor size, material, cable type, conductor count and footage for each item. Mark unknown details as unknown.
3. Photograph accessible cut ends, packaging, flange damage and any jacket defects. Say whether the cable is unused or removed from service.
4. Provide ownership documentation, such as an invoice, purchase order, closeout paperwork or company letter, and the Ohio pickup location.

Original part numbers can help connect stock to the archived catalog, but do not substitute a catalog's standard package length for the amount actually remaining. Note any rewinding, mixed lengths or missing original labels in the same entry.

0700 FTHow are partial reels and mixed lots evaluated?

Continuous usable footage matters more than the amount a reel once held. Report separate cut lengths individually instead of adding them together as though they formed an uninterrupted run. Keep matching colors and sizes grouped, but retain each item's identity.

Use accessible footage markings when available, and state the basis of an estimate. The guide to measuring wire left on a reel can help you organize uncertain quantities. A factory tag's original footage is not confirmation of a partial reel's remaining balance.

Our review considers type, conductor size and material, usable length, condition, documentation and resale demand. The AIW name helps identify the product but does not determine an offer by itself. Leave reusable wire insulated and packaged while the lot is being reviewed.

0800 FTHow does pickup work for Ohio businesses?

Ohio Wire Buyers arranges pickup at the seller's jobsite, warehouse, plant or yard anywhere in Ohio. We have no Ohio street address, office, yard or drop-off. Tell us about loading access, available handling equipment and damaged reels before pickup arrangements are made.

We verify the seller and proof of ownership and keep a written purchase record. After reviewing the photos and inventory, we reply with questions or a written offer before pickup. Payment method and timing are confirmed in writing before pickup, and the count is checked against the written terms; the selling process explains those steps.

To put your American Insulated Wire surplus up for review, request an offer for your AIW lot with tag photos and usable footage, or call 951-403-5738.