Scrap yards pay between $0.85 and $2.75 per pound for unstripped armored cable (BX, MC, and Teck cable), while stripped bare bright copper core harvested from inside sells for $3.70 to $4.15 per pound. Payouts are made instantly via cash or check at local scrap yard scales upon presentation of a valid government ID. Whether stripping armored wire is profitable depends entirely on whether the outer sheath is steel or aluminum and the gauge of the inner copper conductors.
Realistic Earnings & Payout Breakdown
Armored cables contain a metallic outer armor (galvanized steel or interlocking aluminum) protecting insulated copper conductors. Scrap metal buyers price these cables based on the ratio of copper weight to armor weight, as well as the market price of bare bright copper versus clean aluminum scrap.
| Cable Type & Armor Material | Average Raw Scrap Value ($/lb) | Stripped Copper Recovery Value ($/lb) | Processing Effort & Tool Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel-Armored BX Cable (14/2 to 10/3) | $0.85 – $1.25 | $3.70 – $4.10 (Copper Core) | High (Heavy rotary stripper or hand split; tough steel casing) |
| Aluminum MC Cable (Commercial 12/2 – 10/3) | $1.65 – $2.30 | $3.70 – $4.10 (Copper) + $0.50 (AL Armor) | Medium (Automated wire stripper or score-and-twist method) |
| Heavy Teck90 Cable / Industrial Armored | $2.10 – $2.75 | $3.70 – $4.15 (Copper Core) | Low-Medium (Mechanical motorized stripper handles thick outer jacket) |
| Lead-Sheathed Armored Power Cable | $1.40 – $1.90 | $3.70 – $4.10 (Copper) + $0.40 (Lead) | High (Requires hazard handling gloves due to heavy lead sheath) |
Step-by-Step Action Blueprint to Maximize Armored Cable Payouts
1. Identify the Outer Armor (Magnet Test)
Before bringing your scrap cable to the yard or attempting to strip it, run a strong magnet along the outer metallic casing:
- Magnet Sticks Strong: It is steel-jacketed traditional BX cable. Steel adds significant dead weight but yields low scrap value ($0.08–$0.12/lb for the casing).
- Magnet Does Not Stick: It is aluminum-armored Metal-Clad (MC) or Teck cable. Aluminum armor commands a higher base rate ($0.45–$0.60/lb as clean aluminum scrap) and is significantly easier to cut open.
2. Decide Whether to Strip or Sell Whole
Use the “Gauge vs. Armor” math rule to determine if stripping is worth your labor time:
- Do NOT strip small steel BX (14/2 or 12/2): The labor required to peel hardened spiral steel off thin copper wire yields less than $8–$12 per hour in added value. Sell these intact as “Steel BX Cable Wire.”
- DO strip large-gauge aluminum MC cable (#4 AWG and larger): Heavy gauge commercial feed wire contains high copper mass. Stripping aluminum casing off thick conductors takes seconds using a mechanical tabletop stripper, multiplying your payout rate from ~$2.20/lb raw to over $3.80/lb bare copper.
3. Execute Efficient Stripping Techniques
To skin armored wire without damaging motor blades or injuring yourself:
- For Aluminum MC Cable: Score the spiral armor with a utility knife or run it through a motorized wire stripper adjusted to depth. Bend the scored cable back to split the aluminum interlock, then pull the inner insulated copper conductors out in one fluid motion.
- For Steel BX Cable: Use a specialized rotary armored cable cutter (such as a Roto-Split tool) to snap the steel armor open, or use a motorized heavy-duty wire stripper designed with hardened steel crushing rollers.
- Strip the inner wire insulation using a standard automatic wire stripping machine to elevate the copper from #2 Insulated Wire ($2.40–$2.80/lb) to #1 Bare Bright Copper ($3.70–$4.15/lb).
4. Separate and Clean Harvested Metals
Never mix your stripped materials into a single bucket. Divide your yield into three separate containers before hitting the scale:
- Bucket 1: #1 Bare Bright Copper (shiny, unalloyed, un-burnt copper wire larger than 16 AWG).
- Bucket 2: Clean Aluminum Scrap (the peeled MC armor casings, free of plastic wraps or steel fasteners).
- Bucket 3: Light Iron / Scrap Steel (the discarded BX steel sheathing).
Hidden Costs, Platform Fees & Tax Realities
While physical recycling pays immediate cash on delivery, several operational overheads impact your net earnings:
- Blade Replacement & Equipment Depreciation: Motorized wire strippers cost between $150 and $600. Steel BX wire dulls standard stripper blades quickly; factor in replacement blade costs ($15–$35 per set) every 500–1,000 lbs processed.
- Weight Loss Factor: Stripping armored cable reduces overall scrap mass by 30% to 55% as plastic insulation and outer jackets are discarded. Ensure the price differential per pound covers the loss in gross weight.
- State Scrap Metal Laws & IRS 1099 Regulations: US scrap yards are legally bound by state statutes to mandate state-issued photo IDs, vehicle license plate logging, and thumbprints for copper sales. In the US, payouts exceeding $600 paid via check or digital bank transfers trigger IRS 1099-MISC/NEC reporting for independent contractors.
Red Flags, Disqualification Traps & Mistakes to Avoid
- NEVER Burn Cable Insulation: Burning off plastic insulation or outer jacket coating to reveal bare copper is an EPA federal violation resulting in severe fines and instant scrap yard bans. Yards classify burnt copper as low-grade burnt wire, slashing your payout by 30%–50%.
- Mixing Steel BX into Aluminum MC Stacks: Throwing even a single piece of steel-clad BX cable into an aluminum armor pile will cause the yard scale operator to downgrade the entire batch to “Mixed Iron / Dirty Wire,” drastically cutting your rate.
- Failing to Remove Anti-Short Bushings & Paper Fillers: Leaving paper wrapping, string filler, or plastic anti-short bushings attached to stripped copper can cause yards to downgrade your load from Bare Bright to #2 Copper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to strip BX wire or sell it intact?
For standard steel-armored residential BX wire (14 gauge or 12 gauge), it is almost always better to sell it intact. The extreme hardness of the steel jacket combined with low copper weight makes manual stripping unprofitable. Strip aluminum MC cable or large industrial Teck cable instead.
What scrap yard category does unstripped armored wire fall under?
Unstripped armored wire is usually categorized as “BX Cable,” “Armored Wire,” or “Commercial MC Cable.” Scale prices vary depending on whether the outer armor is steel or aluminum, so always ask the yard for their specific category breakdowns before offloading.
How much copper is inside standard 12/2 MC cable?
Standard 12/2 MC cable consists of roughly 45% to 55% copper by total gross weight, with the remaining weight distributed between the interlocking aluminum armor sheath, plastic wire insulation, and paper grounding wrap.
Final Verdict & Practical Strategy
Scrap armored cable arbitrage is highly lucrative for electricians, HVAC techs, demolition crews, and active scrap metal resellers. To maximize profit, use a magnet immediately to sort aluminum MC cable from steel BX cable. Sell thin steel BX intact to save labor, but invest in a motorized wire stripper to skin high-gauge aluminum MC and industrial Teck cable. Separating clean bare bright copper from outer aluminum armor guarantees the absolute highest payout per pound at the scrap yard counter.
