SPEC1000 kcmil at a glance
| Also called | 1000 MCM |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 1000 kcmil · 507 mm² |
| Stranded (Class B) | 61 strands · 1.152 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 1.311 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 3,330 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 3,090 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 1,000 ft reels · cut lengths |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 455 A | 545 A | 615 A |
| Aluminum | 375 A | 445 A | 500 A |
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 1000 kcmil
01Identify 1000 kcmil Wire by Its Markings
Start with the reel tag and jacket print, not the cable’s outside diameter. Look for 1000 kcmil or 1000 MCM alongside the conductor metal, insulation designation, manufacturer and date code. MCM is the older naming convention for the same area; it does not identify a different size.
This is a kcmil size, not an aught designation. For help reading the naming system, use our wire gauge chart for AWG and kcmil. Send clear photos of the markings and the whole reel or coil so we can connect the identification to the material offered.
The supplied Class B stranded reference has 61 strands and a conductor diameter of 1.152 inches. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 1.311 inches, but insulation and cable construction affect finished diameter. A measurement can support identification; it cannot replace readable markings. If the tag and jacket disagree, photograph both and flag the discrepancy before we review the lot.
02Understand the Size, Weight and Ampacity References
A 1000 kcmil conductor has an area of 507 mm². That describes conductor cross-sectional area, not finished cable diameter. The specification table on this page separates area, construction, weight and ampacity so you can compare the material you have without mixing those measurements.
The supplied NEC 310.16 ampacities use 30°C ambient before adjustments. Copper values are 455 amps at 60°C, 545 amps at 75°C and 615 amps at 90°C. Aluminum values are 375, 445 and 500 amps at those respective temperatures. These are reference values, not approval to load any cable to its highest listed figure. Terminal ratings, installation conditions and required adjustments still matter.
Weight also depends on construction. Finished copper THHN/THWN-2 is approximately 3330 pounds per 1,000 feet; bare stranded copper is about 3090 pounds, and bare aluminum about 940 pounds for the same footage. Do not apply one construction’s weight to another. Have a licensed electrician or engineer resolve design and installation questions.
03Where This Size Appears in Houston Construction and Plants
1000 kcmil is the largest common building-wire size. In Houston construction and plant work, it can appear in transformer secondaries, switchgear bus connections and large electrical distribution systems. Other common applications include utility substations, generator plants and medium-voltage feeders, with the cable construction selected for the actual application.
Those uses help explain why surplus 1000 kcmil cable needs more than a metal-only evaluation. A clearly identified, reusable cut length may serve a different need than a full reel of building wire. Medium-voltage cable also needs its own construction and rating information; conductor size alone does not establish suitability.
When sending material from a construction site, plant or utility project, describe what it is and how it was stored. Tell us whether it is unused surplus or previously installed material, and disclose known damage. We review each lot for reuse. An application description adds context, but readable tags and jacket markings remain essential.
04Wire Types We Buy in 1000 kcmil
We review copper and aluminum material in this size across several insulation and cable families. The designation matters because demand, finished weight and reuse potential differ by construction. Include the complete jacket print rather than sending only a close-up of the conductor size.
Types we buy include:
- THHN/THWN-2 building wire and XHHW-2 wire.
- USE-2/RHW-2 wire and URD cable.
- Medium-voltage cable.
- Bare copper wire.
- PV wire.
We consider full reels, partial reels and cut lengths, along with coils or other packaging. Being on this list does not mean every piece is reusable. Burned insulation, heavy damage or lengths too short for practical reuse can make material better suited to scrap. Cut lengths are not automatically scrap; usable length and condition matter. We will tell you what we identify as reusable rather than assuming all material in a lot has the same value.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
1000 kcmil copper wire value depends on more than gross pounds. We consider conductor metal markets, wire type and current demand, footage, size, manufacturer, date code, quantity, packaging condition and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap melt value, but condition and identification determine whether that comparison applies.
For a simple footage estimate, consider finished copper THHN/THWN-2 weighing 3330 pounds after reel and packaging weight is removed. Using the supplied approximate weight of 3330 pounds per 1,000 feet, that represents approximately 1,000 feet. Gross reel weight cannot support the same calculation because it includes the reel itself.
Send footage records when available and identify whether a reported weight is gross or net. Photograph reel flanges, exposed cable and any damaged areas. Packaging condition helps us assess storage and handling, but a clean reel alone does not establish cable condition. Weight-based footage remains an estimate until the material and construction are verified.
06Sell 1000 kcmil Wire in Houston With a Written Offer
When comparing 1000 kcmil wire buyers, look for a process that identifies the cable before discussing value. Send Houston Wire Buyers photos of reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and the material’s location. We review the information, provide a written offer, then schedule pickup or drop-off. We verify the material on site, with payment per the written offer.
Heavy reels require handling details before a visit. Tell us about site access, reel condition and available loading equipment so pickup arrangements can be reviewed. Do not assume a reel can be moved safely without planning.
We serve Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Drop-off at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087 is by appointment only. The address is in southeast Houston’s Mayfair area, near I-45 and I-610. Call or text 951-403-5738 before bringing material, or email industrial832@gmail.com with your lot details.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I sell 1000 MCM wire if the tag does not say kcmil?
Yes. If you want to sell 1000 MCM wire, send the tag exactly as it appears. MCM and kcmil describe the same conductor area. Do not relabel the reel; preserve the original identification and include jacket photos so we can review the metal, insulation type and other markings.
Should I strip reusable 1000 kcmil copper before offering it?
Send photos before stripping it. Removing insulation changes the material from identified insulated wire into bare conductor and can eliminate its potential for reuse as that wire type. We focus on reusable material, so keeping the original jacket and markings intact gives us a better basis for evaluating the lot.
Can I submit copper and aluminum reels in the same request?
Yes. Keep the details for each reel separate so the conductor metals, wire types and quantities do not get combined. Label your photos to match the corresponding footage or weight. Copper and aluminum have different weight references and market considerations, so a single total weight is less useful for review.
What if my inventory records and reel labels show different footage?
Send both figures and explain which came from the reel label and which came from your inventory records. Note any known cuts or withdrawals. Do not present an uncertain balance as confirmed footage. We can review the available information, and the material is verified on site under the written-offer process.
Is Houston Wire Buyers affiliated with a cable manufacturer?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy surplus wire from sellers in Greater Houston. Manufacturer information on your cable helps identify and evaluate the material, but it does not indicate an affiliation between our business and that manufacturer.