SPEC16 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 16 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 2.58 kcmil · 1.31 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.051 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.058 in |
| THHN/TFFN outside diameter | ≈ 0.096 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 9 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 8 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft spools · 2,500 ft reels · 1,000 ft reels of multi-pair instrumentation cable |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixture wire (NEC 402.5) | 8 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 16 AWG
01How to Identify 16 AWG Wire and Cable
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for the conductor gauge, cable type, conductor count, manufacturer and any footage markings. Photograph the complete label rather than just the gauge designation; two cables with 16 AWG conductors can have very different constructions and resale demand.
16 AWG means 16 gauge. It is not an aught designation, and MCM is another name for kcmil, a conductor-area unit. The supplied area for this size is 2.58 kcmil. Our wire gauge chart helps distinguish gauge names from area measurements.
A solid conductor measures 0.051 in across the bare metal. Class B stranded construction uses 7 strands and has a conductor diameter of 0.058 in. Do not compare those dimensions with the outside jacket diameter. Insulation, shielding and an overall cable jacket add thickness, so measuring the outside alone will not reliably identify the conductor size.
02What the 16 AWG Specifications Mean
The conductor area is 1.31 mm², equivalent to 2.58 kcmil. That describes the metal cross-section, not the finished cable’s overall size. Solid and stranded versions share the gauge designation, but their physical construction differs. The approximate THHN/TFFN outside diameter supplied for this size is 0.096 in; treat that as an identification reference, not a universal dimension for every product.
Weight also depends on construction. Approximate finished THHN/THWN-2 copper weight is 9 lb per 1,000 ft, compared with about 8 lb for bare stranded copper and about 2 lb for bare aluminum over the same length. These figures do not describe a complete multi-conductor cable.
The supplied fixture-wire ampacity reference is 8 A. Do not treat it as a general NEC 310.16 rating for all 16 AWG products. Fixture wire, control circuits and portable cords have application-specific requirements. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine installation suitability and applicable adjustments.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
In Houston construction and plant work, 16 AWG conductors appear in control wiring, instrumentation, alarm systems and flexible cords. Typical surplus includes panel-shop leftovers, unused project reels and cable remaining after equipment or controls work. The gauge tells us the conductor size; the cable designation tells us much more about its intended application.
Control wiring in panels and motor control centers is one common use. Instrumentation pairs and triads serve plant measurement and signal applications. Fire alarm and signal circuits also use this size where the specified cable and applicable installation rules permit it. Portable cord marked 16/3 SJOOW is another example.
Keep material from different applications separated when practical. A labeled instrumentation reel should not be grouped with unidentified single conductors simply because both contain 16 AWG copper. If you have surplus 16 AWG cable from a Houston-area project, send the original specification or reel label with your photos so we can review the actual product.
04Types of 16 AWG Wire and Cable We Buy
We review new, unused and reusable material in these categories. A readable product designation helps us assess demand and distinguish similar-looking cables.
- Tray cable: send the full jacket marking and reel tag.
- Control cable: include conductor count and available length.
- Instrumentation cable: show pair or triad identification and shielding information when marked.
- Portable cord: include the actual cord designation, such as 16/3 SJOOW.
- Fire alarm cable: photograph the printed cable designation and packaging.
As 16 AWG wire buyers, we assess the complete cable rather than pricing every product as loose copper. Full reels, partial reels, cut lengths, coils and boxes can all be reviewed. Keep original packaging and labels when available, and disclose jacket damage or missing identification. Short, burned or heavily damaged material may be better suited to scrap; we focus on material that can be reused.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
16 AWG copper wire value depends on the metal market, cable type, current demand, available footage and condition. Manufacturer, date code, quantity and pickup logistics also affect the offer. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap melt value, but gauge alone does not establish a price.
Common put-ups include 500 ft spools, 2,500 ft reels and 1,000 ft reels of multi-pair instrumentation cable. Original labels and intact packaging help document what remains. For partial reels, send footage markings or an inventory record if available.
A simple estimate: 9 lb of net finished THHN/THWN-2 copper wire corresponds to approximately 1,000 ft using the supplied weight reference. Exclude the spool or reel weight. Do not apply that estimate to instrumentation cable, cord or other assemblies with additional conductors, shields and jackets. Our copper wire weight guide explains why construction matters when estimating footage from weight.
06Sell 16 AWG Wire in Houston: Offer and Pickup
To sell 16 gauge wire, send photos of reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and the pickup location. We review the information and provide a written offer. After you accept, we schedule pickup or drop-off, verify the material on site and arrange payment per the written offer. You can request an offer with the material details.
We serve Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Pickup takes place at the seller’s site by schedule. For heavy reels, describe access, loading conditions and available handling equipment before arrangements are made. Do not move a reel beyond your equipment’s capacity.
Drop-off is by appointment only at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in the southeast Houston Mayfair area near I-45 and I-610. Call or text 951-403-5738 before bringing material, or email industrial832@gmail.com with your photos and inventory.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can you review 16 AWG cable if the reel tag is missing?
Yes. Send clear photos of the jacket print and the cable’s overall condition, along with any purchase records or packaging you still have. Missing identification can make resale assessment harder. Do not guess the cable type or remove insulation just to identify it; tell us what information is available.
Should I strip reusable 16 AWG wire before selling it?
Leave reusable wire intact for review. Its insulation, jacket markings and original construction help identify the product and preserve its potential resale value. Stripping turns a finished wire product into bare metal and removes useful information. Send photos first so we can assess whether the material is reusable or better suited to scrap.
Does an older date code automatically rule out an offer?
No. Manufacturer and date code are pricing factors, but we also review type, condition, packaging and current demand. An older reel needs an individual assessment rather than an assumption based on age alone. Photograph the date code and disclose any known storage issues so the review reflects the material you have.
Can I combine several kinds of 16 AWG cable in one inquiry?
Yes. Send one inquiry with separate photos and descriptions for each cable type. Identify which footage or weight belongs to each item rather than giving only a combined total. This lets us distinguish reusable products and evaluate the inventory without treating different constructions as the same material.
Are you affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy surplus reusable wire and cable from sellers within Greater Houston. If you need product design guidance or approval for an installation, consult a licensed electrician or engineer rather than treating a purchase offer as technical approval.