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vivindra
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Join Date: Feb 2014
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Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/10/2014 7:50 PM

Pls let me know whether there is a method of calculating the actual content of copper in weight.

Tx,

Best Rgds,

Vivindra
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lyn
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#1

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:01 PM

I'd look on the data sheet for the specific cable. The data may, or may not include the weight per meter. The copper content of the copper wire in the armored cable will be about 95%.

There is no way to calculate this without knowing the correct questions to ask first.
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bigg
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#2

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:03 PM

Yes, there is.

.

.

.

.

.

.

. Weight = density x volume

. Volume = area x length

. Area = ∏ x r²

. Make sure you use consistent units.
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lyn
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:10 PM

Let's have OP start with this one.

OP, whats the copper content in this ↑armored cable?

You'll need to find the density of each material, or strip the copper out and weigh it!!!
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bigg
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#6
In reply to #4

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:38 PM

He just wants the copper

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lyn
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:43 PM

Perhaps I am confused by the title of the thread?
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Tornado
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#8
In reply to #2

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/11/2014 1:30 AM

...And account for stranding.

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SolarEagle
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#3

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:05 PM

You should get about 45% of the total weight of unstripped cable....

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#5

Re: calculating the copper content in armoured cables

02/10/2014 8:17 PM

Just ask the guy at the scrap yard.

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7anoter4
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#9

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/11/2014 2:41 AM

If it is not a shielded cable:

weight=no.of conductors*cross section of one conductor[mm^2]*8.9[g/m,kg/km]

Shield weight:

shield weight=no.of live conductors*pi()*diameter over the shield[mm] *1.125*5*25.4/1000*8.9[g/m]

12.5% overlap, 5 mils copper shield thickness.

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JRaef
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#10

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/11/2014 10:20 AM

Interesting that there are two threads at the same time asking for help in determining the WEIGHT of copper in different items. Weight of copper is of NO intrinsic value from an electrical engineering perspective. ZERO. So then are the copper thieves asking us to help them pre-determine the economic viability of their chosen targets?

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lyn
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#12
In reply to #10

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/11/2014 11:27 AM

They are both first time posters. They're either casing a substation for a robbery, or in the same class project.

But wait, as you say weight alone is meaningless, for any legitimate electrical purpose.
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TonyS
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#11

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/11/2014 11:15 AM

When they start asking for the weigh in value of stripped bright and burnt we need to worry.

The UK is tightening up on the thief's. No cash transactions for scrap, it's stopped a lot of the chancers. It's not stopped the professionals.

If the OP is genuine then manufacturers give specifications of weight per Km. it doesn't take a genius to work the CSA * length to give a % of the copper content of a specific cable.

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evaluator
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#13
In reply to #11

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/12/2014 1:19 AM

I cleaned out my garage this past summer and among my treasures was an old cast bronze pool pump (1960 era) When I took it to the recycling yard it fetched $41.50 in scrap value. I had to wait a week for the money from the scrap yard, but was pleased and worth the wait. I was curious just how much it cost when it was new.

(limited recycling on my new pump, it's all plastic!!!)
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Tornado
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#14
In reply to #13

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/12/2014 1:23 AM

If 1960, maybe $41.50.

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evaluator
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#15
In reply to #14

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/12/2014 1:48 AM

That's kinda what I was thinking!!! Where else could you get such a return on your money?
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Tornado
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#16
In reply to #15

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/12/2014 1:51 AM

In an IRA, I guess.

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Rixter
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#17
In reply to #14

Re: Calculating the Copper Content in Armoured Cables

02/12/2014 7:56 AM

$41.50 in 1960 dollars

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