Ohio Wire Buyers buys reusable surplus diesel locomotive cable from businesses anywhere in Ohio, including full reels, partial reels and usable cut or lugged lengths. To sell DLO cable, send jacket-print photos, exact conductor sizes and a footage list; we review the material for resale and reuse, not as scrap by the pound, and provide a written offer before pickup.
Sell DLO cable as a usable product, not a pile of copper
Keep continuous lengths intact while you decide what to sell. Cutting a long lead into short pieces removes possible applications, even when the amount of copper stays the same. Preserve the reel tag, purchase paperwork and any assembly labels instead of separating them from the cable.
DLO belongs among the reusable wire and cable types we buy, but its flexibility does not prove its identity. Separate confirmed DLO from unmarked flexible leads and mixed shop coils. A lot described as “black battery cable” needs more identification than a reel with readable manufacturer, size and listing information.
Which jacket markings identify diesel locomotive cable?
DLO stands for diesel locomotive cable. Southwire's specified construction uses flexible rope-lay Class I tinned copper, EPDM rubber insulation and a thermoset chlorinated polyethylene, or CPE, jacket. Prysmian's SPEC 5310 uses cross-linked ethylene-propylene insulation with a cross-linked CPE jacket. Photograph the actual product rather than assuming every manufacturer uses identical construction.
| Detail to identify | Verified manufacturer example | Why it matters for selling |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Flexible, tin-coated copper in both specifications | Distinguishes it from aluminum and other flexible leads |
| Voltage marking | 2,000 V DLO in both product lines | Establishes the marked rating, not an allowable current |
| Building-wire listing | RHH/RHW-2 under UL 44 on the cited products | Helps identify applications beyond locomotive wiring |
| Operating temperature | 90°C wet or dry on the cited products | Describes the cable rating, not every termination's rating |
| Tray marking | CT use on sizes 1/0 AWG and larger in the cited lines | Must be checked against the actual cable and installation |
Do not infer a listing from the DLO name alone. Use the guide to cable jacket print to record the complete legend, including manufacturer and any additional ratings.
Why do some DLO sizes have decimal kcmil numbers?
Record the printed size exactly. Prysmian's SPEC 5310 includes sizes from 14 AWG through 1111.1 kcmil, with intermediate sizes such as 535.3 and 777.7 kcmil. These are not labels to round to a nearby building-wire size when preparing an inventory.
The following examples come from Prysmian's SPEC 5310. Weights are approximate finished-cable net weights, not copper-only weights or loaded-reel weights.
| Marked conductor size | Approximate net weight, lb per 1,000 ft |
|---|---|
| 8 AWG | 87 |
| 2/0 AWG | 587 |
| 4/0 AWG | 845 |
| 535.3 kcmil | 1,925 |
| 777.7 kcmil | 2,728 |
| 1111.1 kcmil | 4,232 |
Use these only for the specified product, not as a universal DLO weight chart. The AWG and kcmil explanation helps with mixed inventories. A voltage or temperature marking also does not supply an ampacity: terminations, installation conditions and the applicable code govern the actual usable rating.
How is DLO different from welding cable?
Both can be flexible single-conductor copper cable, so jacket color and how easily a coil bends are poor sorting methods. The DLO products above have documented rubber insulation, a separate CPE jacket and RHH/RHW-2 listings. Do not transfer those ratings to a welding lead merely because it looks similar.
Put surplus welding cable on its own inventory line and photograph its markings separately. Likewise, keep mining and portable power cable identified by its actual type. If the print is unreadable, describe the item as unidentified rather than choosing the most valuable-sounding name. That avoids an offer based on the wrong product.
Can lugged leads and short cut lengths remain reusable?
Yes, a cut length or attached lug does not automatically make cable scrap. List each continuous lead separately, including whether it is unused, previously installed or removed from service. Record overall length and note where stripped ends, damaged sections or fittings reduce the length available for another application.
Fine-strand compatibility is important. ILSCO's Form 267 provides a separate connector chart for fine-strand copper, including DLO, and specifies connector, die and tool combinations. A lug's stamped nominal size alone does not establish that it fits the conductor construction. Photograph the lug markings and crimp area; do not claim an assembly is approved based only on its appearance.
For removed leads, have qualified personnel confirm safe isolation before handling. Battery circuits require attention even when normal utility power is off. Describe heat discoloration, broken strands, cracked insulation and field splices honestly; selling decommissioned cable depends on remaining usability, not simply recovering copper.
Where does DLO fit in Ohio industrial and data center surplus?
Southwire's technical overview lists battery power cable and leads for motors and generators among DLO applications. Its product page also identifies drilling rigs, rail and transit wiring, mining equipment and other industrial uses. Those applications explain why diesel locomotive cable surplus can appear outside a rail facility.
Central Ohio also has documented data center development. In its August 2025 update, the City of New Albany reported completed construction and staffing for two buildings at a new AWS campus, with other facilities still under construction at that time. This is regional context, not a claim that those facilities use DLO or sell cable to us.
If your data center project has surplus cable from UPS battery connections or generator work, send the specified cable identity and assembly records. Do not assume every flexible lead from that equipment is DLO. The same identification requirement applies to plant maintenance stock and temporary-power leads.
What should you send for a DLO cable offer?
Send enough detail to distinguish complete reusable leads from loose remnants:
- A whole-lot photo showing reels, coils and separately bundled assemblies.
- Close-ups of reel tags and complete jacket legends, including exact decimal sizes.
- Photos of existing cut ends showing conductor condition, without making new cuts.
- Both ends of lugged leads, including lug markings, holes and crimp areas.
- A length list showing each continuous piece, not only combined footage.
- Storage history, prior use and clear photos of visible damage or splices.
- Seller company details and proof of ownership, such as an invoice or closeout paperwork.
Label estimates as estimates. Where sequential footage marks remain readable, photograph them and explain which ends they represent. Our partial-reel measuring guide covers documenting remaining footage without treating a guess as a factory quantity.
Preserve the lot while the offer is reviewed
Keep coils supported and reels protected from handling damage. Follow the product manufacturer's bending guidance rather than forcing heavy cable into a tight bundle. Do not strip insulation, cut off lugs or discard labels before review; those actions can remove useful product information.
Ohio Wire Buyers reviews the photos and list, then replies with questions or a written offer. Payment method and timing are confirmed in writing before pickup, and we verify the seller and ownership while keeping a written purchase record. The selling process explains how pickup counts are checked against the written terms.
We arrange pickup at the seller's jobsite, warehouse, plant or yard anywhere in Ohio. Ohio Wire Buyers has no Ohio street address. Send your DLO inventory through the offer form, or call 951-403-5738 to discuss the cable and the information needed for review.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell DLO cable with the reel tag missing?
A missing tag does not automatically rule out a purchase, but the cable still needs a reliable identity. Send clear jacket-print photos, the manufacturer name if readable, the exact conductor size and a footage estimate. Explain where the cable came from and provide ownership documentation. We may ask for more information before making an offer.
Is the silver-colored conductor in DLO cable aluminum?
Not necessarily. The DLO specifications discussed here use tin-coated copper, which can look silver at the conductor surface. Identify the conductor from the jacket, reel tag and manufacturer's specification rather than color alone. Photograph an existing cut end without stripping or cutting otherwise usable cable just to show the metal.
Does DLO cable have to come from a railroad?
No. Diesel locomotive cable is also specified for industrial flexible power leads, battery connections, generator leads, drilling equipment and other applications. Ohio Wire Buyers buys reusable surplus from businesses, not only rail-related sellers. The actual cable identity, available length, condition and proof of ownership matter more than the industry it came from.
Should I remove the copper lugs before requesting an offer?
Leave existing lugs in place for the initial review. Photograph their markings, bolt holes, crimp areas and any heat damage, and list the length of each lead. Removing a lug shortens the cable and removes information about the assembly. An attached lug does not guarantee that the assembly is suitable for another installation.
Will Ohio Wire Buyers pay a DLO cable scrap price per pound?
We evaluate reusable surplus as cable for resale and reuse, not as scrap metal by the pound. Exact size, markings, continuous lengths, condition and documentation affect the review. If the cable is not reusable, we say so; a scrap metal recycler may be the appropriate buyer for that material instead.