SPEC350 kcmil at a glance
| Also called | 350 MCM |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 350 kcmil · 177 mm² |
| Stranded (Class B) | 37 strands · 0.681 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.817 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 1,192 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 1,082 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 1,000 ft reels · 2,500 ft reels |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 260 A | 310 A | 350 A |
| Aluminum | 210 A | 250 A | 280 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 350 kcmil
01Identify 350 kcmil Wire Before Requesting an Offer
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for 350 kcmil or 350 MCM, the conductor metal, insulation designation and manufacturer. Include the date code and footage markings when visible. MCM is an older designation for the same circular-mil size; it is not an aught-size designation.
For the Class B stranded construction described here, the bare conductor has 37 strands and a nominal diameter of 0.681 inch. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.817 inch. These measurements help cross-check identification, but they do not replace readable markings. Insulation, jackets and cable construction change the finished outside diameter.
Photograph the tag, a readable section of jacket print and the overall reel or coil. For assemblies, show the markings on the individual conductors if accessible without damaging the cable. Do not identify an armored or multiconductor cable by its overall diameter alone. Keep different sizes and cable types separate so we can evaluate each lot accurately.
02Understand the Ratings Behind the Size
The 350 kcmil designation describes conductor area: 177 mm². It does not, by itself, establish an allowable load. Conductor metal, insulation rating, terminal temperature limits and installation conditions all affect the usable ampacity.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before applicable adjustments or corrections, copper ratings are 260 amps in the 60°C column, 310 amps in the 75°C column and 350 amps in the 90°C column. Aluminum ratings are 210, 250 and 280 amps in those respective columns. A 90°C insulation marking does not automatically permit use of the 90°C ampacity at the equipment terminals.
The separate specification table on this page provides a reference, not an installation approval. Parallel conductors, raceway conditions, ambient temperature and equipment requirements need project-specific review. Have a licensed electrician or engineer select the conductor and apply the governing requirements. For selling purposes, send the actual cable designation rather than describing a reel only by an assumed amp rating.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
Surplus 350 kcmil cable can come from building feeder work, service installations and plant electrical projects. Common applications include copper feeders using the 310-amp rating where the applicable conditions permit, aluminum URD and feeders, parallel service sets and medium-voltage distribution. The size alone does not make cable interchangeable across those applications.
For Houston construction inventory, useful identification includes whether the material is individual building wire, an armored assembly or an underground distribution product. Plant inventory may include tray, VFD or medium-voltage cable with construction details that materially affect demand. Preserve the original reel tags and packaging when available.
When a project leaves surplus, describe what remains rather than only the original order. Tell us whether the footage is continuous, whether matching conductors remain and whether the material was unused or previously installed. Those details help Houston Wire Buyers assess reuse. We serve Greater Houston only, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties.
04Wire and Cable Types We Buy in 350 kcmil
We review copper and aluminum material in this size across building, industrial and utility cable categories. Send the complete designation so we can distinguish individual conductors from cable assemblies and assess the actual product rather than just its metal content.
Types we buy include:
- THHN/THWN-2 building wire and XHHW-2 wire.
- USE-2/RHW-2 wire and URD cable.
- MC cable and MC-HL / Teck cable.
- Medium-voltage cable and tray cable.
- VFD cable, bare copper and PV wire.
For multiconductor products, confirm that 350 kcmil refers to the relevant conductor size within the assembly. Include photos showing the complete cable description, conductor arrangement and any visible damage. We focus on reusable material, so a recognizable type is only part of the evaluation. Condition, remaining length, packaging and current demand also matter. Do not strip insulation or remove armor before requesting an assessment.
05How Houston Buyers Evaluate 350 kcmil Wire Value
350 kcmil copper wire value depends on more than weight. We consider the conductor metal market, cable type and demand, size, footage, manufacturer and date code, reel condition, quantity and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value.
Weight can help estimate footage when markings are unavailable. Finished THHN/THWN-2 copper weighs approximately 1192 pounds per 1,000 feet. A net wire weight of 1192 pounds therefore suggests approximately 1,000 feet of that product. Subtract reel and packaging weight first; gross reel weight is not net conductor weight.
Do not apply that estimate to every construction. Bare stranded copper weighs about 1082 pounds per 1,000 feet, while bare aluminum weighs about 329 pounds per 1,000 feet. Armor, jackets and additional conductors change assembly weight. Common put-ups are 1,000-foot and 2,500-foot reels, but an original label does not prove remaining footage. Report continuous lengths and packaging condition, and identify estimates clearly.
06Sell Your 350 MCM Wire Through a Scheduled Houston Pickup
To sell 350 MCM wire, text 951-403-5738 or email industrial832@gmail.com with photos, 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, and payment follows the written offer.
Heavy reels need handling information before scheduling. Tell us about reel damage, loading access and any equipment available at your site. Show how the reels are stored and whether they can be accessed safely. Do not assume a loaded reel can be moved by hand or that every site has suitable loading equipment.
Drop-off is by appointment only at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in the Mayfair area of southeast Houston near I-45 and I-610. Call first. As 350 kcmil wire buyers focused on reuse, we will tell you what is reusable. Short remnants, burned insulation or heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Should I remove an old installation label before sending photos?
Keep labels in place and photograph them alongside the manufacturer's markings. A project or circuit label can provide context, but it does not establish the cable's specifications. If labels conflict with the jacket print, point that out. We need to assess the actual material, not rely solely on a handwritten description.
Can you review a mixed lot containing 350 kcmil and other sizes?
Yes. Houston Wire Buyers buys copper and aluminum wire from 18 AWG to 1000 kcmil. Identify each size and type separately, with its own footage or weight information where possible. Clear photos of each reel tag help us avoid treating a mixed lot as though every reel contains the same product.
Does previously installed 350 kcmil wire qualify as reusable?
Previously installed material can be considered if it remains reusable. Disclose its history and photograph bends, terminations, jacket wear or other concerns. Prior use alone does not tell us enough to make an offer. We review the condition and identification rather than assuming all removed wire belongs in either the resale or scrap category.
What if I cannot read the manufacturer or date code?
Send the clearest available photos and explain which details are missing. Include other readable markings and any original packaging or inventory records you have. Missing identification can affect our ability to evaluate reuse and demand. Do not guess a manufacturer or date code to complete the description.
Are you Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy surplus electrical wire and cable within Greater Houston. For an assessment of your material, contact Houston Wire Buyers at 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com, and arrange any visit to McGrew St in advance.