SPEC10 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 10 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 10.38 kcmil · 5.26 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.102 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.116 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.164 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 38 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 32 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft spools · 2,500 ft reels · 1,000 ft reels of PV wire |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 30 A | 35 A | 40 A |
| Aluminum | 25 A | 30 A | 35 A |
Small-conductor overcurrent limit (NEC 240.4(D)): 30 A copper, 25 A aluminum.
Dimensions from NEC Chapter 9 Tables 5 and 8. Weights are approximate and vary by manufacturer and insulation. For design, follow the NEC and a licensed electrician.
Wire types we buy in 10 AWG
01Identify 10 AWG Wire Before Requesting an Offer
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for 10 AWG or 10 gauge, conductor metal, insulation type, manufacturer and date code. Photograph enough of the printing to show the complete designation rather than just the gauge. For assemblies marked 10/2 or 10/3, include the complete cable description; those markings describe a cable configuration, not simply a loose conductor.
10 AWG is an AWG size, not an aught designation or an MCM size. Its conductor area is 10.38 kcmil; kcmil and MCM refer to the same area unit. Our wire gauge chart helps distinguish gauge names from area measurements.
Diameter is a useful cross-check, not a substitute for markings. Solid 10 AWG measures 0.102 inch across the bare conductor. Class B stranded construction uses 7 strands with an overall conductor diameter of 0.116 inch. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.164 inch, including insulation; other constructions can differ.
02What the 10 AWG Specifications Mean
The conductor area, 10.38 kcmil or 5.26 mm², describes metal cross-section. It does not describe the complete insulated wire diameter. Insulation, stranding and cable construction affect outside dimensions and finished weight, so two products marked 10 AWG may look different without being different conductor sizes.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, copper ampacities are 30, 35 and 40 amps in the 60°C, 75°C and 90°C columns. Aluminum values are 25, 30 and 35 amps. These table values are not interchangeable breaker ratings. The general small-conductor overcurrent limits are 30 amps for 10 AWG copper and 25 amps for aluminum, subject to applicable NEC exceptions.
A 90°C insulation marking does not automatically authorize a 40-amp breaker on copper wire. Terminal ratings, installation conditions, adjustment factors and equipment-specific rules still matter. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for an installation. For selling purposes, clear insulation and conductor markings help us identify the actual product.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
In Houston construction, 10 AWG copper commonly appears in 30-amp circuits serving water heaters, dryers and A/C condensers. Equipment requirements and applicable electrical rules determine the actual installation. A matching gauge alone does not establish that leftover material is suitable for another project.
Contractors may also use 10 AWG on long-run 20-amp circuits to address voltage drop. Solar work can leave surplus 10 AWG cable, especially PV wire on dedicated reels. Residential leftovers often include 10/2 and 10/3 NM-B, while commercial and plant material may include MC cable, tray cable, control cable or portable cord.
When sorting a Houston jobsite or plant storeroom, keep different cable constructions separate. Dry indoor building wire, outdoor-rated products and flexible cord are not interchangeable just because their conductors share a gauge. Tell us whether the material is unused stock or previously installed wire, and show any weathering, jacket damage or altered ends. That helps us assess reuse rather than assuming every coil has the same market.
04Wire Types We Buy in 10 AWG
As 10 AWG wire buyers, we review both individual conductors and complete cable assemblies. We buy copper and aluminum material when its identification, condition and remaining length support reuse. The product name matters because insulation ratings, construction and intended applications differ.
Common products we review include:
- THHN/THWN-2 building wire and XHHW-2 wire.
- USE-2/RHW-2 wire and PV wire.
- NM-B cable, often called Romex, and UF-B.
- MC cable and MC-HL / Teck.
- Tray cable, control cable and VFD cable.
- Portable cord, including SOOW.
For multiconductor cable, photograph the full jacket designation and exposed end if accessible. Conductor count, shielding, armor and jacket condition can change the assessment even when the internal conductors are all 10 AWG.
Do not strip usable insulation or remove armor just to present the conductor metal. Intact, identifiable material is usually worth more as reusable wire than as scrap. Very short pieces, burned wire and heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
10 AWG copper wire value depends on more than metal weight. We consider copper or aluminum markets, product type, current demand, size, footage, manufacturer, date code, quantity, packaging condition and pickup logistics. Common put-ups include 500-foot spools, 2,500-foot reels and 1,000-foot reels of PV wire; actual remaining footage matters more than original capacity.
Finished THHN/THWN-2 copper weighs approximately 38 pounds per 1,000 feet. If that product has a net wire weight of about 38 pounds, the estimated remaining footage is about 1,000 feet. Exclude the reel or spool weight first, and treat the result as an estimate rather than verified footage.
Bare stranded copper weighs about 32 pounds per 1,000 feet; bare aluminum weighs about 10 pounds per 1,000 feet. Do not apply those bare-conductor weights to insulated cable or armored assemblies.
Keep labels attached and report loose ends, splices or mixed lengths. A sound reel and reliable footage information help us evaluate usable inventory without confusing packaging weight with conductor value.
06Sell 10 AWG Wire in Houston With Scheduled Pickup
To sell 10 gauge wire, text photos to 951-403-5738 or email industrial832@gmail.com. Include reel tags or jacket printing, footage or weight, condition and the material's location. You can also review what to submit when you request a written offer.
We review the information, provide a written offer, then schedule pickup at your site or an appointment-only drop-off. We verify the material on site, and payment follows the written offer. Tell us about reel size, access restrictions and available loading equipment before scheduling; do not assume heavy reels can be moved by hand.
Houston Wire Buyers serves Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Our address is 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in southeast Houston's Mayfair area near I-45 and I-610.
Call first before bringing material to McGrew Street. Keeping products separated and labels visible makes verification more straightforward and helps preserve reusable stock.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I sell opened spools with an uncertain remaining length?
Yes, we review partial spools. Tell us that the footage is uncertain rather than presenting the original spool capacity as the remaining amount. Send the label, photos of the remaining wire and any available net weight. We can assess the information, but the material still requires on-site verification.
Does older, unused 10 AWG wire still have resale value?
It may. Age alone does not establish whether wire is reusable, but manufacturer and date code are pricing factors. Show the markings and storage condition, including any discoloration or jacket deterioration. We review the actual material rather than assuming that unused stock is automatically suitable for resale.
Should I combine different colors of 10 AWG wire for the quote?
You can submit them in one inquiry, but identify each spool or coil separately. Keep different insulation types, metals and conditions distinct, even when the gauge matches. Photos of each label and a corresponding footage or weight estimate give us a clearer picture than a single combined weight.
Will you buy 10 AWG wire removed during demolition?
We review reusable removed wire, but prior installation makes condition especially important. Show the full lengths, jacket condition and any damaged areas. Short cut pieces, burned insulation or heavily damaged material may be better suited to scrap. We focus on reusable material and will tell you what we consider reusable.
Is Houston Wire Buyers part of Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. For a surplus 10 AWG inquiry, contact Houston Wire Buyers directly at 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com. Our service is limited to sellers in Greater Houston, with pickup scheduled or drop-off arranged by appointment.