SPEC2 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 2 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 66.36 kcmil · 33.6 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.258 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.292 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.384 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 239 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 205 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft reels · 1,000 ft reels · 2,500 ft reels |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 95 A | 115 A | 130 A |
| Aluminum | 75 A | 90 A | 100 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 2 AWG
01Identify 2 AWG Wire Before Requesting an Offer
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for the conductor size, copper or aluminum designation, insulation type, manufacturer and date code. Photograph the complete marking rather than just the size. On multiconductor cable, include markings that identify the individual conductor sizes and cable construction.
2 AWG means 2 gauge. It is not an aught size such as 1/0 AWG wire, and it is not a 2 kcmil conductor. MCM and kcmil refer to the same area unit; the supplied area for 2 AWG is 66.36 kcmil.
The solid conductor diameter is 0.258 inch. The supplied Class B stranded reference has 7 strands and a conductor diameter of 0.292 inch. Neither measurement includes insulation. Finished THHN has an approximate outside diameter of 0.384 inch, but construction varies. Use markings first and the AWG and kcmil wire gauge chart as a cross-check, not jacket thickness alone.
02What the 2 AWG Specifications Mean
Conductor area describes the metal cross-section, not the overall cable diameter. For 2 AWG, that area is 66.36 kcmil, or 33.6 mm². Insulation, stranding and any outer jacket affect finished diameter and weight, so two cables marked 2 AWG can look and handle differently.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, the supplied copper ampacities are 95 amps in the 60°C column, 115 amps in the 75°C column and 130 amps in the 90°C column. Aluminum values are 75, 90 and 100 amps in those respective columns.
Those columns are not interchangeable circuit ratings. Terminal temperature limits, wiring method, ambient conditions and conductor grouping can change the allowable ampacity. A 90°C insulation marking does not automatically permit using the 90°C value at equipment terminals. See the wire ampacity chart for reference, and have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for any installation. Our buying review evaluates the material, not the circuit design.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
Surplus 2 AWG cable can come from feeder work, residential service projects, underground distribution and plant maintenance. Around Greater Houston, sellers may have leftover reels from construction or replacement cable held for industrial work. We evaluate the actual markings and condition rather than assuming that every cable from a particular job has the same specification.
Copper feeder work in the 115–125 amp range is a common application context, but 2 AWG is not automatically suitable for every circuit in that range. Aluminum applications include 100-amp residential services and SER 2-2-2-4 assemblies, subject to applicable service-sizing rules and installation conditions.
Other uses include URD and secondary underground distribution, welding leads and battery cable. Flexible welding cable, building wire and underground cable differ in construction and intended use even when they share the same gauge. Keep those materials separated when photographing your inventory. Clearly identified stock is easier to evaluate than a mixed pile described only as “2 gauge.”
04Wire and Cable Types We Buy in 2 AWG
We review reusable copper and aluminum material across several insulation and cable families. Size alone is not enough to identify what you have: the jacket designation tells us whether we are looking at building wire, an underground product, an assembly or a flexible cable.
Common material includes THHN/THWN-2 building wire, XHHW-2 wire, USE-2/RHW-2, NM-B (Romex), MC cable, MC-HL / Teck, and SER/SEU cable. We also review URD, medium-voltage cable, tray cable, VFD cable, welding cable, portable cord, bare copper and PV wire in this size.
For assemblies, send the complete cable designation and conductor configuration, not just a photo of one exposed conductor. For specialty cable, include any readable rating and construction information on the jacket or tag. Do not assume that similarly sized products are interchangeable. Our focus is identifying reusable inventory; installation suitability remains a question for a licensed electrician or engineer.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
2 AWG copper wire value depends on more than metal weight. We consider conductor metal, current market conditions, cable type and demand, size, footage, manufacturer, date code, packaging condition, quantity and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value.
Finished copper THHN/THWN-2 weighs approximately 239 pounds per 1,000 feet. For example, 239 pounds of that wire, excluding reel weight, suggests approximately 1,000 feet: divide net wire weight by 239 and multiply by 1,000. This estimates footage; it does not verify remaining length or establish an offer.
Bare stranded copper is approximately 205 pounds per 1,000 feet, while bare aluminum is about 62 pounds per 1,000 feet. Do not apply those weights to insulated assemblies. Common put-ups are 500-, 1,000- and 2,500-foot reels, but the original tag does not prove remaining footage. Keep partial reels labeled and consult the copper wire weight chart when organizing estimates.
06How to Sell 2 AWG Wire in Houston
To sell 2 gauge wire, send photos of the reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and location to 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com. Include overall photos showing packaging and condition. We review the information, issue a written offer, schedule pickup or drop-off, verify the material on site, and pay according to the written offer.
Our 2 AWG wire buyers serve Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Pickup is scheduled at the seller’s site. For heavy reels, describe site access, reel condition and available loading arrangements before scheduling; do not assume handling equipment is included.
Drop-off at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087 is by appointment only. Call first. The location is in southeast Houston’s Mayfair area, near I-45 and I-610. Review our Houston wire pickup information when planning a sale. Keep reusable stock separate from short, burned or heavily damaged material so we can assess it honestly.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I submit a partial reel if I do not know the remaining footage?
Yes. Send the original reel tag, an overall photo and any available weight information. Tell us whether the weight includes the reel and whether the footage is measured or estimated. Missing footage does not prevent a review, but we need to distinguish an estimate from a verified remaining length.
Should I strip the insulation before selling 2 AWG copper wire?
If the wire may be reusable, leave it intact for review. Removing insulation changes the material and can eliminate its reuse potential. Clear jacket markings help identify the product. Send photos first so we can tell you what appears reusable and what may be better suited to scrap.
Do you buy 2 AWG welding cable with damaged ends?
We can review it, but acceptance depends on the remaining cable’s condition and usable length. Show the damaged ends and the jacket along the rest of the cable. Do not conceal burns, cuts or repairs. Short or heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap than reuse.
Can I combine copper and aluminum 2 AWG wire in one request?
Yes, you can submit both in one request. List them separately by conductor metal, cable type, footage or weight, and condition. Photograph each group’s markings. Keeping the inventory distinct helps us evaluate demand and value without treating different materials as one undifferentiated load.
Are you affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. For a surplus review, contact Houston Wire Buyers directly at 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com. Send the material details and its Greater Houston location so we can assess your inventory.