How to Strip Copper Wire for Scrap: A Practical Guide

Every Singapore scrap seller with a pile of copper cable eventually asks: is stripping the PVC off actually worth it? The short answer: sometimes. This post covers the math, the methods, and when to skip it.

The Price Difference

Singapore rates (April 2026):

• Bright copper (stripped): from $9.00/kg
• Copper cable (75% yield, still insulated): from $7.50/kg

So stripping upgrades your copper by roughly $1.50/kg of cable weight. A 10 kg cable spool stripped adds ~$15. 100 kg adds ~$150. Sounds good — until you factor in labour.

Manual Stripping (Knife or Stripper)

For thick cable (anything over 6mm outer diameter), a sharp utility knife and a wire-stripping jig makes quick work. Rate for an experienced hand: 5-10 kg per hour. Thin cable is much slower.

Break-even: if your time is worth more than S$15/hour, manual stripping only pays for thick cable in large quantities.

Machine Stripping

Wire stripping machines (hand-crank or motorized) cost S$200-$1,500 and can process 50-200 kg/hour. Worth it if you regularly clear construction cable scrap. Not worth it for one-off clearances.

When to Skip Stripping

• Very thin cable (<3mm) — time intensive, low gain
• Burned / fire-damaged cable — stripping releases fumes, dealer rates are comparable either way
• Mixed cable types — takes time to sort before stripping
• When you have under ~30 kg total cable — the per-kg gain (~$45) isn’t worth an afternoon

Safety

• Never strip live cable. Obvious, but worth saying.
• Don’t burn off PVC insulation. Illegal in Singapore (NEA air quality regulations), releases toxic dioxins, and dealers will reject fire-damaged copper.
• Wear cut-resistant gloves.

Our Recommendation

For most Singapore sellers, bring cable to us unstripped and take the cable rate. Molten Steel processes cable with industrial equipment — we recover copper efficiently, and you save hours of labour. For regular commercial clients clearing large volumes weekly, investing in a stripping machine pays back in weeks.

Can You Make Money Stripping Copper Wire?

Yes, but only on the right cable. Your profit depends on three things:

• Copper yield — how much of the cable's weight is copper. Thick power cable is mostly copper. Thin data and telephone cable is mostly plastic.
• Your speed — how many kilos of copper you can recover per hour.
• The gap between grades — the difference between the insulated cable rate and the bright copper rate on the day.

Work out what an hour of stripping actually earns you. If it is less than your time is worth, sell the cable as it is.

Copper Cable Types by Copper Content

Cable type	Typical copper content	Worth stripping?
Heavy power cable (single or multi-core, thick conductors)	High	Often yes, especially in bulk
Building wire (household and office circuits)	Medium	Sometimes, with a machine
Extension and appliance cords	Low to medium	Rarely
Data, telephone and coaxial cable	Low	No — sell as low-grade cable
Tinned or plated copper wire	Graded separately	Ask us first

Copper content varies by cable, so we grade insulated cable on its actual yield at the yard rather than on a flat rate.

How to Strip Copper Wire Safely

1. Make sure the cable is dead and fully disconnected.
2. Sort by thickness so you can set your stripper once for each batch.
3. Cut into workable lengths of around 1 metre.
4. Score along the length with a stripping tool or machine — not across it — and peel the insulation off.
5. Keep the copper clean. Bright, unoxidised strands get the top grade.
6. Bag the insulation and dispose of it properly. Never burn it.

Selling Copper Cable in Singapore

Bring stripped copper and insulated cable in separate bags so each is graded on its own. Drop off at our scrap yard at 170 Gul Circle (Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM–6:30 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM–3:30 PM), or book a free pickup once your load meets our minimum. Payment is the same day by PayNow or bank transfer. See current scrap metal prices for this week's copper and cable rates.

Copper Wire Stripping FAQs

Is it worth stripping thin copper wire?
Usually not. Thin cable has a low copper yield and takes longest to strip. Sell it as insulated cable.

Is burning copper wire legal in Singapore?
No. Burning insulation releases toxic fumes, breaks air quality rules and damages the copper. Buyers discount burnt wire.

Do you buy insulated cable?
Yes. We grade insulated cable by its copper yield, so you do not have to strip it.

What is bright copper?
Clean, bare, unoxidised copper wire with no insulation, solder or coating. It is the highest copper scrap grade.

Related reading: How Can Copper Cables Be Recycled Efficiently?