SPEC3 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 3 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 52.62 kcmil · 26.7 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.229 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.26 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.352 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 191 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 163 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft reels · 1,000 ft reels |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 85 A | 100 A | 115 A |
| Aluminum | 65 A | 75 A | 85 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 3 AWG
01Identify 3 AWG Wire Before Requesting an Offer
Start with the jacket print and reel tag. Look for the conductor size, copper or aluminum identification, insulation designation, manufacturer and any date code. Clear photos help us distinguish reusable feeder wire from material that needs closer inspection. Include the tag and the wire itself rather than relying on a handwritten reel label alone.
3 AWG means 3 gauge. It is an AWG size, not an aught designation. MCM and kcmil describe conductor area; the area of 3 AWG is 52.62 kcmil, but that does not change its trade designation to an aught size. Our wire gauge chart explains how those naming systems relate.
The supplied solid conductor diameter is 0.229 inches. Class B stranded construction has 7 strands and a conductor diameter of about 0.26 inches. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.352 inches, including insulation. Diameter can support identification, but jacket markings and manufacturer information are more reliable than measuring the insulated wire alone.
02What 3 AWG Specifications Mean for a Surplus Lot
Conductor area, insulated diameter and finished weight describe different parts of the product. The 26.7 mm² area describes conductor metal, while the approximate THHN outside diameter includes insulation. Neither measurement establishes the insulation rating or condition. For a buyer, those details help confirm that the material matches the reel tag and can be offered as reusable wire.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, the supplied copper ampacities are 85 amps at 60°C, 100 amps at 75°C and 115 amps at 90°C. The corresponding aluminum values are 65, 75 and 85 amps. These are reference values, not automatic approvals for a particular feeder or installation.
Termination ratings, installation conditions and applicable adjustment or correction requirements affect allowable ampacity. A higher-temperature insulation marking does not by itself permit use of the higher-temperature ampacity at every termination. Consult a licensed electrician or engineer for circuit design, and use our NEC wire ampacity reference for background rather than installation approval.
03Where 3 AWG Wire Appears in Houston Projects
In Houston commercial construction, 3 AWG copper commonly appears in 100-amp feeder work, subject to the actual installation requirements. Other applications include subpanel feeders, equipment feeders and multi-family meter-to-panel runs. The size can also appear in service-entrance cable assemblies, although an assembly needs its own identification and review rather than valuation from conductor gauge alone.
Commercial contractors and plant maintenance teams may have surplus after feeder routing changes, equipment work or project closeout. A remaining reel can be useful material when the insulation, markings and available length still match a future application. Keep wire from different jobs or storage conditions separated so each portion can be assessed accurately.
If your surplus 3 AWG cable came from a completed Houston project, tell us whether it is unused stock or previously installed material. Describe any exposure, removal damage or missing identification. We focus on reusable material and will tell you when short, burned or heavily damaged wire is better suited to scrap.
04THHN/THWN-2 Wire We Buy in 3 AWG
The specified wire type we buy on this page is THHN/THWN-2 building wire. Send a readable photo of the full jacket designation so we can review what you actually have. Do not assume that every insulated 3 gauge conductor has the same ratings or resale demand. Copper and aluminum lots need to be identified separately.
We review full reels, partial reels, coils, boxes and reusable cut lengths. New, unused stock is welcome, but packaging alone does not establish condition. Show exposed wire ends, the reel or container, and any visible jacket damage. If a lot includes different manufacturers or markings, separate those details in your submission.
When you want to sell 3 gauge wire, a clear inventory is more useful than a general description such as “feeder cable.” Include conductor metal, insulation type, length and whether the footage is continuous. Our copper wire buying information explains the broader distinction between reusable copper inventory and material valued primarily for its metal.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
3 AWG copper wire value depends on more than the copper market. We also review type and current demand, size, footage, reel condition, manufacturer, date code, quantity and pickup logistics. A continuous length with readable identification may serve a different resale need than the same total footage divided among short pieces. Common put-ups include 500-foot and 1,000-foot reels.
Approximate finished THHN/THWN-2 copper weight is 191 pounds per 1,000 feet. For a simple estimate, 191 pounds of net wire weight corresponds to about 1,000 feet of that product. Exclude the reel and packaging from the net weight. This is an estimate, not a substitute for verified footage or product-specific manufacturer data.
Bare stranded copper is about 163 pounds per 1,000 feet, while bare aluminum is about 49 pounds per 1,000 feet. Do not apply a bare-conductor factor to insulated wire. See our copper wire weight guide, and disclose whether your reported weight includes packaging.
06How to Sell Your 3 AWG Wire in Houston
Send Houston Wire Buyers photos of the reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and the material’s location. Text 951-403-5738 or email industrial832@gmail.com. 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.
Pickup is available within Greater Houston: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. For heavy reels, describe loading access, reel condition and any handling equipment available at your site. Share those details before scheduling so the pickup arrangements reflect the actual material and access. Read about scheduled Houston wire pickup.
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. To request a written offer, gather your photos and inventory details before contacting us.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Do 3 AWG wire buyers need the original purchase receipt?
The listed review process starts with material photos, footage or weight, and location; an original purchase receipt is not part of that initial information list. If you have product records, include them as supporting information. A receipt alone does not confirm that the wire currently on a reel matches the original purchase.
Can I submit a reel containing both 3 AWG and other sizes?
Yes, describe the mixed inventory clearly rather than reporting it all as 3 AWG. Photograph the markings for each size and identify their separate lengths when known. Keep loose coils labeled and separated. We review the actual material, so a mixed lot should not be treated as one uniform product.
Should I strip insulation before selling reusable 3 AWG wire?
Do not strip wire you want assessed for reuse. Intact insulation and readable jacket markings help establish product identity and condition. Removing the insulation changes the material being offered and eliminates its use as insulated building wire. Send photos first so we can review its reusable condition before you alter it.
Can an old reel date rule out a sale?
A date code is one of the factors we review, but it is not enough by itself to determine an offer. Send the date code along with photos showing storage condition, identification and the wire jacket. Manufacturer, current demand, available length and overall condition also matter when evaluating the lot.
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. We buy surplus wire from sellers within Greater Houston. For a 3 AWG material review, contact Houston Wire Buyers directly at 951-403-5738 and provide the identifying photos and inventory details.