Mixed Aluminum Turnings Scrap Price

Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap consists of insulated copper electrical conductors enclosed in flexible, interlocked steel armor. Commonly recovered from building renovations, commercial electrical installations and demolition projects, this material contains recyclable copper and steel along with insulation, paper and other components.

Scrap yards often buy it as Steel BX, Insulated Steel BX or Steel BX Wire. The price depends on the recoverable copper, steel armor, cable construction, cleanliness and processing required. Knowing how Steel BX differs from aluminum-armored cable, Romex and ordinary insulated wire helps sellers identify the correct scrap grade.

What Is Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap?

Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap is a composite electrical cable containing copper conductors protected by flexible steel armor.

The armor provides mechanical protection during the cable's service life. Inside it are individually insulated conductors, along with bonding or grounding components and other materials that depend on the cable design.

When the cable is removed from service, the copper and steel can be recovered through appropriate recycling processes.

Because the material contains several different components, it is normally purchased as a cable scrap grade rather than as clean copper wire.

Important distinction: The Copper/Steel BX grade described here assumes copper circuit conductors and steel armor. Cable with aluminum conductors or aluminum armor may require a different purchasing classification.

What Does BX Mean in Electrical Cable?

BX is a longstanding trade nickname for flexible armored electrical cable.

The name dates to early armored-cable products and remains common among electricians, building contractors and scrap-metal recyclers.

Today, electrical standards use more precise designations, particularly Type AC (Armored Cable) and Type MC (Metal-Clad Cable).

These products may look similar, but their construction and grounding arrangements are not necessarily identical.

In scrap trading, BX is often used as a general description for armored cable. The receiving recycler may therefore classify Steel BX according to its actual copper content, armor material and processing requirements rather than its original electrical designation.

Is BX Cable the Same as Type AC Cable?

The term BX is frequently used to describe Type AC cable, although BX itself is not the formal modern designation.

Modern Type AC cable contains insulated electrical conductors enclosed in flexible metallic armor.

A typical steel-armored Type AC construction includes:

• Insulated copper circuit conductors
• Individual moisture-resistant conductor wrapping
• An internal aluminum bonding strip
• Flexible interlocked galvanized steel armor

The bonding strip remains in contact with the metal armor along the cable's length. Together, the bonding strip and armor form part of the cable's specified equipment-grounding arrangement.

Type AC products can use steel or aluminum armor, so the Type AC designation alone does not identify the scrap armor metal.

What Is the Difference Between BX and MC Cable?

Type AC and Type MC cable can have similar metallic exteriors, but they are separate wiring methods.

Type AC Armored Cable

Modern Type AC construction uses an internal bonding strip in contact with its metal armor and individual wrapping around insulated conductors.

Type MC Metal-Clad Cable

Type MC construction varies by product. It often includes a separate equipment-grounding conductor, although some listed designs use a grounding system involving the armor and a bonding conductor.

Type MC products may have steel or aluminum armor. Some constructions also include an outer polymer jacket.

According to the National Armored Cable Manufacturers Association, the internal bonding strip and conductor wrapping are useful features when distinguishing Type AC from Type MC.

Scrap-market guidance: Some recyclers purchase suitable steel-armored Type AC and Type MC cable together. Others maintain separate buying categories. Confirm the acceptable material rather than assuming all metal-clad cables receive the same price.

What Is Inside Steel BX Cable?

Steel BX cable combines recoverable metals with several nonmetallic components.

Copper Conductors

The copper conductors carry electrical current. Their number, gauge and physical weight are major factors in the amount of copper that can be recovered.

Steel Armor

The flexible interlocked steel sheath protects the conductor assembly. It contributes recoverable ferrous metal but also adds weight that is not copper.

Electrical Insulation

Individual conductors are covered with electrical insulation. Modern cable may use thermoplastic insulation, sometimes with a nylon covering. Older products can have different materials.

Aluminum Bonding Strip

Modern Type AC cable typically has an internal aluminum bonding strip in contact with its armor. This component forms part of the cable's grounding design.

Paper and Other Wrapping

Paper or other wrapping can protect and organize conductors within the cable assembly.

These different materials mean that one pound of complete Steel BX does not contain one pound of copper.

How Much Copper Is in Steel BX Cable?

There is no universal copper-recovery percentage for all Steel BX cable.

The amount of recoverable copper varies according to:

• Conductor gauge
• Number of copper conductors
• Solid versus stranded conductor construction
• Grounding and bonding components
• Steel armor thickness and weight
• Insulation and wrapping
• Cable type and manufacturer

A cable with larger copper conductors may contain a greater recoverable copper fraction than a similar cable with smaller conductors and heavier armor.

Commercial wire processors may use known cable specifications, representative sampling or actual processing results to estimate recovery.

For bulk sales, a buyer-approved recovery percentage is more useful than an unsupported general estimate.

What Does Copper Recovery Mean?

Copper recovery is the percentage of the total scrap-cable weight that can be recovered as copper.

For example, a 100-pound shipment may contain copper, steel armor, insulation, paper and other materials. The copper-recovery percentage accounts only for the recoverable copper portion of that shipment.

Recoverable steel is a separate material fraction and should not be included in the copper-recovery percentage.

Higher copper recovery can improve the value of an otherwise comparable cable load, but the final scrap price also depends on market conditions and the processor's costs.

How to Identify Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap

Steel BX often has a flexible metallic sheath with a visible interlocked or spiral pattern.

To identify the correct scrap grade:

1. Confirm electrical safety: Only inspect cable that has been properly removed from service and verified safe.
2. Look at the armor: Identify the flexible interlocked metal sheath.
3. Check with a magnet: Ordinary steel armor generally responds strongly to magnetic testing.
4. Inspect an existing cable end: Confirm that the internal circuit conductors are copper.
5. Review markings: Look for Type AC, Type MC or manufacturer information where available.
6. Check attached components: Identify connectors, boxes, fittings and unrelated debris.
7. Separate similar materials: Keep Steel BX apart from aluminum-armored cable and Romex where the buyer uses distinct grades.
8. Confirm the receiving grade: Ask whether the yard purchases the cable as Steel BX, Insulated Steel BX or another category.

Identification warning: A magnet can help identify steel armor, but it does not establish copper content, copper recovery or the exact electrical cable classification.

Steel BX vs. Aluminum BX Cable Scrap

The main difference is the metal used for the outer armor.

The armor metal changes the overall weight, recovery process and commercial value of the cable.

RecyclingMonster records Insulated Steel BX separately from Aluminum BX (MC) observations.

For the companion material guide, see Copper/Aluminum BX Cable Scrap.

Is Aluminum BX Worth More Than Steel BX?

Not always. Aluminum armor has a different scrap value from steel, but the total cable price also depends on the copper inside.

A cable with larger copper conductors may be worth more than another cable with different armor and smaller conductors.

The number of conductors, amount of insulation, contamination and processing cost also matter.

There is no fixed percentage difference between Steel BX and Aluminum BX prices across all markets.

Compare quotations for the actual cable construction rather than assuming that the armor material alone determines which grade is more valuable.

Steel BX vs. Romex Wire Scrap

Romex is a commonly used trade name for nonmetallic-sheathed building cable.

Typical NM-B building cable uses a nonmetallic outer jacket rather than the interlocked steel armor found on Steel BX.

Because the two products have different material compositions, their processing requirements and recoverable copper percentages can differ.

Scrap yards often maintain separate buying categories for Romex and armored cable.

See Romex Wire Scrap Prices for a related but different wire grade.

Steel BX vs. Ordinary Insulated Copper Wire

Ordinary insulated copper wire generally lacks the heavy steel armor used in Steel BX.

The presence of steel armor changes the proportion of copper in the complete cable and may require additional mechanical separation.

For this reason, Steel BX should not automatically be mixed with other insulated copper wire.

Where the buyer maintains different purchasing grades, keeping the material separate helps preserve accurate pricing and recovery estimates.

Does Removing Steel BX Armor Produce Bare Bright Copper?

No. Removing the steel armor normally leaves the individually insulated electrical conductors.

The insulation still separates the copper from a bare-copper grade.

ReMA's Barley specification for No. 1 Copper Wire requires bare, uncoated, unalloyed copper.

Even after insulation removal, the resulting conductor must meet the receiving buyer's exact specification before it can be sold as Bare Bright.

For comparison, see #1 Copper Bare Bright Scrap Prices.

Should You Remove the Steel Armor Before Selling?

Not automatically. Separating Steel BX into steel armor and insulated copper conductors may allow each material to be sold under a separate grade.

However, the work requires time and equipment and does not guarantee a higher overall return.

Before processing commercial quantities, compare:

• The price for intact Insulated Steel BX
• The weight of the remaining insulated copper wire
• The accepted grade of that insulated wire
• The weight and potential value of separated steel armor
• The labor required for separation
• Equipment and transportation costs
• Any loss or contamination during processing

For small loads, selling the cable intact may be more economical. Larger, consistent shipments may justify additional preparation when suitable industrial equipment is available.

How to Compare Whole-Cable and Separated-Metal Value

A higher price per pound for separated insulated copper wire does not necessarily mean the complete processing operation will be more profitable.

Can Steel BX Cable Be Burned for Copper?

No. Open burning is not an appropriate method of recovering copper from insulated electrical cable.

Electrical insulation may contain PVC or other polymers that release harmful combustion products during uncontrolled burning.

Burning can also oxidize and contaminate copper conductors, affecting the material's recycling quality.

Armored cable should instead be handled through suitable mechanical recycling or delivered intact to an appropriate wire processor.

Where Does Steel BX Cable Scrap Come From?

Steel-armored electrical cable is commonly recovered during construction, building maintenance and electrical system replacement.

Typical sources include:

• Electrical contractors: Installation offcuts and rewiring projects
• Older building renovations: Removal of existing armored wiring
• Commercial electrical upgrades: Replacement of obsolete wiring
• Apartment buildings: Electrical renovation and modernization
• Industrial maintenance: Cable recovered during equipment and distribution-system upgrades
• Institutional properties: Authorized electrical renovation in schools, offices and similar buildings
• Demolition contractors: Cable recovered during controlled building dismantling

Clean installation offcuts may be easier to identify and prepare than mixed demolition cable because their original construction and markings are often known.

Is Old BX Cable Different From Modern Type AC?

Older armored cable can differ from modern Type AC products in insulation, bonding arrangements and overall construction.

Some older cables may not have the same grounding characteristics as current listed products.

For recycling purposes, sellers should not assume that all cable removed from an older property uses the same materials or has the same metal-recovery percentage.

Unknown or deteriorated insulation should be handled cautiously. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of suspect materials and obtain qualified assessment when warranted.

Electrical Safety Before Removing BX Cable

Electrical cable must not be treated as deenergized simply because a switch is off or the cable appears disconnected.

Installed wiring should be isolated, tested and made safe by qualified personnel before removal.

OSHA's construction electrical safety requirements address work near energized circuits and require appropriate protection against electrical shock.

Workplace procedures must reflect the electrical system, equipment and applicable regulations.

Critical safety rule: Never cut or pull installed BX cable that has not been properly isolated and verified safe. Electrical salvage work should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel.

How Is Steel BX Cable Recycled?

Professional wire recyclers can recover copper and steel from suitable armored cable through mechanical processing and sorting.

The operation may involve:

1. Receiving and inspection: Scrap is weighed and classified by cable grade.
2. Material identification: Steel BX is separated from Aluminum BX, Romex and other wire types.
3. Preparation: Large electrical boxes, connectors and unrelated attachments are removed where required.
4. Mechanical separation: Suitable equipment opens or processes the armor and conductor assembly.
5. Ferrous recovery: Steel armor is separated from copper-bearing and nonmetallic material.
6. Wire processing: Insulated conductors are processed to recover copper-rich fractions where appropriate.
7. Quality control: Copper and steel fractions are evaluated for contamination and downstream acceptance.
8. Secondary-metal recycling: Recovered metals move to appropriate processors and manufacturing markets.

Not every scrap yard processes cable on-site. Some purchase prepared or intact armored cable and supply specialized wire-recycling facilities.

Steel BX Cable Scrap Prices

Steel BX Cable Scrap prices are influenced by recoverable copper, steel armor weight, insulation, material condition, quantity and buyer location.

The relevant RecyclingMonster commercial grade is Insulated Steel BX Scrap.

What Determines the Buying Price?

• Copper recovery: Actual recoverable copper weight
• Conductor size: Number and gauge of copper conductors
• Steel armor: Thickness and proportion of ferrous material
• Insulation: Plastic, paper and other nonmetallic content
• Cable construction: Type AC, Type MC or another accepted design
• Preparation: Intact or partially processed cable
• Contamination: Boxes, fittings, debris and mixed materials
• Quantity: Weight and consistency of the shipment
• Market conditions: Copper prices, steel prices and recycling demand
• Location: Transportation costs and available processors

Available Insulated Steel BX Scrap Prices

Review RecyclingMonster's available material-specific price records below.

Check the observation date, exact grade, location, currency and price unit. Historical prices should not be treated as current purchase offers.

price

For the dedicated material price database, visit Insulated Steel BX Scrap Prices.

Broader Copper Scrap Prices and Steel Scrap Prices provide market context but are not direct quotations for complete BX cable.

How to Improve Steel BX Scrap Value

The most useful preparation is often sorting the material correctly before it reaches the scrap yard.

1. Separate steel and aluminum armor: Avoid mixing Steel BX with Aluminum BX when they are purchased separately.
2. Identify copper conductors: Keep copper-conductor cable separate from cable containing different conductor metals.
3. Keep Romex separate: Do not combine nonmetallic-sheathed wire with armored cable when different grades apply.
4. Remove unrelated attachments: Separate large electrical boxes, conduit fittings and excess debris when required by the buyer.
5. Preserve clean contractor offcuts: Keep identifiable new offcuts separate from heavily contaminated demolition material.
6. Do not burn insulation: Use appropriate mechanical recycling methods.
7. Compare processing economics: Evaluate intact-cable pricing before removing steel armor.
8. Document quantities: Record the source, cable type and weight of commercial loads.
9. Confirm purchasing terms: Ask about accepted grades and deductions before delivery.

Where Can You Sell Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap?

Steel BX may be purchased by scrap-metal recyclers, insulated-wire processors and nonferrous metal recovery facilities.

Some buyers use the terms Steel BX Wire, Steel BX Cable or Insulated Steel BX. Others maintain broader armored-cable categories.

yards

Use RecyclingMonster's Recycle an Item directory to search for facilities listing Steel BX, Steel BX Cable, Steel BX Wire or Insulated Steel BX.

The Insulated Wire Recycling Centers Directory provides additional potential buyers.

You can also explore the Metal Recycling Centers Directory.

Buyer verification: A facility listing does not guarantee current acceptance of Steel BX or a particular purchase price. Confirm the accepted material, location, minimum quantity and preparation requirements before transporting a shipment.

Selling Bulk Steel BX Cable Scrap

Electrical contractors, building owners, demolition companies and industrial maintenance businesses can generate significant quantities of armored cable.

For commercial shipments or recurring supply arrangements, buyers and sellers should agree on:

• Steel BX versus Aluminum BX classification
• Accepted Type AC and Type MC cable constructions
• Copper conductor and armor requirements
• Copper-recovery expectations
• Permitted insulation and contamination
• Electrical boxes, connectors and fittings
• Accepted cable lengths and preparation
• Minimum shipment weight
• Containers, gaylords and pallets
• Collection schedules and loading requirements
• Delivered versus collected prices
• Sampling and grade verification
• Weight adjustments and processing deductions
• Freight and handling charges
• Payment and settlement terms

Keeping steel-armored, aluminum-armored and nonmetallic-sheathed cable in separate containers can improve grading consistency and reduce downstream sorting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steel BX Cable Scrap

Material information and safety notice: Copper/Steel BX Cable Scrap grading, metal recovery, buying prices and recycler acceptance vary by construction, condition, preparation, buyer, location and reporting date. Installed electrical wiring must be made safe before removal or processing. Never burn insulation to recover copper. Final material classification and purchasing terms depend on the receiving recycler.