SPEC4/0 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 4/0, 0000, 4 aught |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 211.6 kcmil · 107 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.46 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 19 strands · 0.528 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.642 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 726 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 654 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 | 195 A | 230 A | 260 A |
| Aluminum | 150 A | 180 A | 205 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 4/0 AWG
01Identify 4/0 AWG by Jacket Print and Reel Tags
Start with the jacket print and reel tag, not the cable’s overall thickness. Look for 4/0 AWG, 0000 or four aught, along with the conductor metal, insulation designation, manufacturer and date code. Photograph enough of the print to show the complete identification rather than only the size marking.
Aught sizes use AWG naming. Kcmil, also commonly called MCM, expresses conductor area instead. A 4/0 conductor has an area of 211.6 kcmil, but sellers should report the marked size rather than relabeling it as a different commercial size.
The supplied solid conductor diameter is 0.46 inch. Class B stranded construction has 19 strands and a conductor diameter of 0.528 inch. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.642 inch; that measurement includes insulation. Welding cable, jacketed assemblies and other constructions can look different. For bare or unmarked material, send close-up photos and any original packaging so we can review what you have.
02What the 4/0 AWG Specifications Mean
Conductor area describes the metal cross-section, while finished diameter includes the insulation or jacket. Those measurements help identify material, but neither establishes whether a particular cable suits an installation. Copper and aluminum of the same AWG size also have different weights and ampacities.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, the supplied copper ampacities are 195 amps in the 60°C column, 230 amps at 75°C and 260 amps at 90°C. Aluminum values are 150, 180 and 205 amps in those respective columns. These are reference values, not permission to choose whichever column gives the largest number.
Terminal temperature ratings, insulation ratings, installation conditions and applicable adjustments affect allowable use. A 90°C insulation marking alone does not establish the circuit’s final ampacity. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine installation suitability. For a sale, readable markings let us distinguish conductor metal and cable construction without relying on an assumed amp rating.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
In Houston construction, 4/0 aluminum commonly appears in residential service work as SER/SEU service-entrance cable and URD cable. A common application is a 200-amp residential service, subject to the applicable dwelling-service rules and installation conditions. Do not treat that application as a blanket rating for every aluminum feeder.
Copper 4/0 is used for feeders, including 230-amp applications where the applicable 75°C ampacity and installation requirements support that use. Commercial construction and plant maintenance can leave reusable surplus when feeder routes change or ordered reel footage exceeds the completed run.
Bare 4/0 copper also serves building ground grids and substation grounding applications. Flexible 4/0 welding cable is among the largest common welding cable sizes. For Houston-area contractors and plant sellers, the useful distinction is the actual construction: building wire, bare grounding conductor and welding cable are not interchangeable products. Keep their markings and packaging separate when preparing a surplus inventory.
04Types of Surplus 4/0 AWG Cable We Buy
We review surplus 4/0 AWG cable in copper and aluminum, including individual conductors and cable assemblies. Full reels are welcome, but partial reels, coils, boxes and reusable cut lengths also belong in an offer request. Identify the complete cable type so we can assess it against current demand.
Types we buy in this size include:
- THHN/THWN-2 building wire and XHHW-2 wire.
- USE-2/RHW-2 cable, SER/SEU and URD.
- MC cable, MC-HL / Teck and tray cable.
- Medium-voltage cable and VFD cable.
- Welding cable, bare copper and PV wire.
For assemblies, send the jacket designation and tag details rather than describing the entire product only as “4/0 wire.” Show exposed ends where available, without damaging the cable to obtain a photo. Jacket condition, storage condition and traceable identification help establish whether material remains reusable. Burned, heavily damaged or very short pieces may be better suited to scrap; we will tell you what is reusable.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
The value of 4/0 AWG copper wire depends on more than copper weight. We consider conductor metal markets, cable type and demand, size, footage, reel or packaging condition, manufacturer, date code, quantity and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than melt value because it can retain value as wire rather than only as metal.
For a simple footage estimate, finished copper THHN/THWN-2 weighing approximately 726 pounds represents about 1,000 feet, provided that is net wire weight. Subtract the reel and other packaging weight first. This is an estimate, not a substitute for a readable footage tag or verified measurement.
Bare stranded copper weighs about 654 pounds per 1,000 feet, while bare aluminum weighs about 199 pounds per 1,000 feet. Do not apply those figures to jacketed assemblies. Common reel put-ups are 500, 1,000 and 2,500 feet, but remaining footage matters more than original reel capacity. Keep reel tags attached and report whether footage is known or estimated.
06Sell 4/0 AWG Wire in Houston With a Written Offer
To sell 4/0 wire, text 951-403-5738 or email industrial832@gmail.com with tag and jacket photos, footage or weight, and your location. Include an overall photo showing the reels or coils and describe any damage. You can also request an offer for your surplus wire with those details.
We review the material, issue a written offer and schedule pickup or drop-off. At the appointment, we verify the material on site; payment follows the written offer. For heavy reels, describe site access, reel condition and available loading equipment beforehand so handling can be planned rather than assumed.
Our service area is Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Pickup takes place at the seller’s site. Drop-off at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087 requires an appointment—call first. The address is in southeast Houston’s Mayfair area, near I-45 and I-610. Do not transport heavy reels before confirming arrangements.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I request an offer if I only have an inventory list?
An inventory list is a useful starting point, but include photos of the actual material and its identifying tags or jacket print. List conductor metal, cable type, footage or weight, and location. Houston Wire Buyers reviews those details before issuing a written offer; a size-only list leaves important identification and condition questions unanswered.
Should I strip insulation from reusable 4/0 copper before selling?
Do not strip otherwise reusable cable just to prepare it for our review. The insulation and its markings help identify the product, and removing them changes what you are selling. Send photos in its current condition first. We focus on reusable material and will tell you when its condition makes scrap a more suitable outlet.
Can copper and aluminum 4/0 wire go in the same offer request?
Yes. Send both in one request, but identify them as separate items with their own photos, footage or weight, and packaging details. Do the same for different cable types. Keeping the inventory separated helps us evaluate each product without treating mixed material as one uniform lot.
Do 4/0 AWG wire buyers accept material with no reel tag?
A missing reel tag does not automatically rule out review. Send readable jacket print, photos of the material and any remaining manufacturer packaging. State clearly when footage or weight is estimated. Without reliable identification, we may need more information before determining whether the wire is reusable and preparing a written offer.
Is Houston Wire Buyers connected to Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy new, unused and reusable surplus wire from sellers in Greater Houston. Contact us directly at 951-403-5738 for an offer request or to arrange an appointment at the McGrew Street address.