Copper Grade— lower

Insulated Wire Grade 2

Grade 2 covers thin and multicore insulated cable, where insulation makes up much more of the weight than in Grade 1. Recovery rates are lower, so it pays considerably less per kilo. If you have a mixed load, separating thick cable from thin is usually worth the effort.

UK Price Range
£1.20–£1.80/kg
≈ £1,200–£1,800/tonne

Set by hand on ; not moved by our weekly market check. How we set prices

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How to Identify

Thin, flexible multicore cables. Includes alarm cable, CAT5/6 ethernet, telephone extension cable, speaker wire, and CCTV coax.

Common Sources

Alarm and data cable, CAT5 and CAT6 networking cable, telephone extension wire, coaxial and satellite cable, speaker wire, and the flexible leads from appliances and consumer electronics.

About Insulated Wire Grade 2

Mixed or thin insulated copper wire including multicore cable, alarm wire, telephone wire, and coaxial cable.

How This Grade Compares

Insulated Wire Grade 2 is a lower grade of Copper scrap. At £1.20–£1.80/kg, it sits within the typical range for this metal. Clean presentation and proper sorting will help you achieve the top of this range.

This Grade
£1.20–£1.80/kg
UK Copper Range
£4.76–£5.66/kg
last changed 9 November 2026
Full Range Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Insulated Wire Grade 2 scrap worth per kg?▾

Our guide range for Insulated Wire Grade 2 is £1.20–£1.80 per kg (approximately £1,200–£1,800/tonne). It was set by hand on 25 March 2026 and is not moved by our weekly market check, so treat it as a guide and get a quote from the yard.

How do I identify Insulated Wire Grade 2?▾

Thin, flexible multicore cables. Includes alarm cable, CAT5/6 ethernet, telephone extension cable, speaker wire, and CCTV coax.

Can I get paid cash for Insulated Wire Grade 2 at a scrap yard?▾

Not in Great Britain. Licensed scrap yards in England and Wales must pay by bank transfer or cheque under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, and Scotland has banned cash payments for metal since 2016. Northern Ireland has no equivalent ban, but reputable yards there pay by bank transfer too.

What lowers the grade of Insulated Wire Grade 2?▾

Any contamination reduces your payout. Common issues include: attached fittings or connectors, paint or coating, solder, corrosion, or mixing with lower-grade Copper material. Sort and clean before selling.

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Bare Bright, #1, #2, insulated wire