Question about red copper wire?

**thecritta** · 03-23-2013, 03:24 AM

Hi i was wondering whether the red coated copper wire you find in things such as computer power supplies is worth anything?
I heard somewhere that the red coating was aluminium is this true? What is the red coating made of? Does anybody know if
the scrapyards will take this as no .02 copper dirty copper? I have looked undernear and it is copper i am just not sure if the
yards will touch it i wouldnt think they would if it was aluminium coated because it would bind and melt with the copper when
they melt it down in the furnace.

Thanks cheers thecritta

**Mechanic688** · 03-23-2013, 03:30 AM

That is varnished or enameled copper wire. It'll go as #2 clean. It's just a coating to keep the windings from shorting out.

**newattitude** · 03-25-2013, 11:31 AM

I know I could smash those with a hammer but I normally just toss those in my copper bearing bucket, gotta pick my battles lol. I figure the worth probably comes out the same leaving it on the ring in my bearing bucket vs smashing it off.