The Ultimate Guide to Insulated Wire Prices and Aluminum Scrap Value
Choosing between insulated and non-insulated wire goes beyond just price. It’s a decision that affects project safety, code compliance, long-term durability, and even the final scrap value. Let’s break down what actually sets these two wire types apart for electricians, facility managers, and industrial recyclers.
What Is Insulated Wire?
Insulated wire is any electrical conductor (usually copper or aluminum) covered by a non-conducting layer like PVC, PE, or nylon. This outer insulation keeps the current inside the conductor, preventing short circuits, shocks, and fire risks. Insulation also protects the wire from moisture, chemicals, and mechanical wear.
Where You’ll Find It
- Building wiring (residential, commercial, industrial)
- Power cables and telecommunications cables
- Appliance cords, extension leads, machine wiring
- Most outdoor or high-moisture installations
Insulated wire comes in a variety of colors and outer thicknesses, and many are color-coded for quick identification in complex panels.
What Is Non-Insulated Wire?
Non-insulated wire—sometimes called “bare wire”—is a conductor with no protective covering. It’s used where safety barriers aren’t needed, like within sealed fuse boxes, inside equipment, or for ground wires firmly attached to safe metal surfaces.
Where You’ll Find It
- Ground wires in vehicles or electrical panels
- Bonding and earthing strips
- Overhead transmission lines (often aluminum)
- Unarmored low-voltage wiring inside dry, secure enclosures
Non-insulated wires are cheaper and carry electricity with minimal resistance—and there’s no insulation to remove during recycling.
Cost and Scrap Value
Which Is Cheaper?
- Non-insulated wire costs less per foot/metre since there’s no insulation process, but they’re only safe for controlled environments.
- Insulated wire costs more due to materials and extra manufacturing steps, but necessary for safety and required by code almost everywhere outside specialist uses.
Scrap Value Differences
- Non-insulated (bare bright copper) fetches the highest scrap price, often $3.50/lb or more. No cleaning or stripping is needed, making it the best return for recyclers.
Insulated wire’s value depends on copper content and insulation thickness. Stripping thick, high-grade wire can yield similar rates to bare copper but takes labor and time.
Safety Considerations
Shock & Fire Protection
Insulated wire prevents accidental conductor contact, stopping short circuits and reducing shock or fire hazards. Code almost always requires insulation in accessible areas, outdoor runs, or where wires cross or touch.
Non-insulated wire offers zero barrier to accidental contact. Small errors—or even rodents or stray tools—can cause shorts or dangerous shocks in unprotected wires.
Durability & Longevity
Insulation barriers extend wire life, blocking corrosion, water, and damage. That’s why outdoor and buried cables are always insulated, sometimes with several layers for UV and impact resistance.
Non-insulated wire corrodes faster if exposed. Use it only where dry conditions and solid mounting will keep it safe for years.
Performance: Electrical & Practical
Insulated wire has slightly lower current-carrying capacity for the same gauge because insulation traps heat, so always size according to both current and insulation type. Modern insulations handle more heat but still can’t match bare wire for sheer ampacity per diameter.
Non-insulated wire has lower resistance and better heat dispersion but, again, is only for controlled environments or temporary uses.
Key Use Cases
Use Case | Insulated Wire | Non-Insulated Wire |
Building wiring | Required | Not allowed |
Inside devices/motors | Required (almost always) | Sometimes (internal chassis or grounds) |
Earthing & bonding | Sometimes | Common |
Overhead lines | For insulation, weather exposure | Common (aluminum) |
Scrap value (copper) | Lower (needs stripping) | Highest |
FAQ
Q: Does stripping insulation always pay off for scrap?
A: Only for large gauge, thick insulation, or high-grade copper. For thin or mixed wires, the time spent may not justify the extra return.
Q: What are common insulation materials?
A: PVC (cheap, flexible), PE (moisture resistant), nylon (abrasion resistant), and enamel (for magnet wire).
Q: Where is non-insulated wire safe?
A: In sealed equipment, fuse boxes, controlled panels, and secure earthing applications—not in walls, ceilings, or anywhere it could be touched.
Q: Can non-insulated wire improve performance?
A: Bare wire is more conductive but is rarely used outside specialist applications and always needs perfect installation for safety.
Q: Is insulated wire ever required even for grounding?
A: Sometimes yes—if there’s any risk of contact, or in corrosive/moist locations, code will require insulated grounding for extra protection.
Choosing between insulated and non-insulated wire isn’t just about cost. It’s about the job’s safety, code compliance, lifespan, and end-of-life value. When in doubt, go for insulated unless your setup is secure and you’re certain it’s safe.
Hope the tips mentioned in this article help you to get the best out of your scrap.
Ready to turn your scrap into savings?
Reach out to Clifton Metals to schedule your site assessment and see how easy and profitable on-site scrap management can be.
Are you a manufacturer seeking sustainable metal solutions? Let Clifton Metals’ recycling services highly trained experts in scrap metal handling help power your production with quality recycled metals, keeping costs low and the environment clean. Contact us today to learn more.
