SPEC4 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 4 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 41.74 kcmil · 21.2 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.204 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.232 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.324 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 153 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 129 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 | 70 A | 85 A | 95 A |
| Aluminum | 55 A | 65 A | 75 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 AWG
01How to Identify 4 AWG Wire Before Selling
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for the conductor size, copper or aluminum identification, insulation designation, manufacturer and footage markings. Photograph the complete label and a readable section of jacket print rather than relying on a handwritten size note.
4 AWG is also called 4 gauge. It is not an aught size, and AWG numbering is different from a conductor size stated in kcmil, sometimes called MCM. The wire gauge chart helps distinguish those naming systems when sorting mixed inventory.
The supplied solid-conductor diameter is 0.204 in. A Class B stranded conductor has 7 strands and a nominal diameter of 0.232 in; approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.324 in. These measurements describe different parts of the wire. Insulation thickness and stranding construction vary, so an outside-diameter measurement alone cannot confirm the gauge, especially for flexible welding or battery cable.
02What the 4 AWG Specifications Mean
4 AWG has a conductor area of 41.74 kcmil, or 21.2 mm². That area describes the conductive metal, not the overall insulated cable. It helps explain why bare conductor weight and finished insulated-wire weight are different, even when both products have the same gauge.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, copper ampacities are 70 amps at 60°C, 85 amps at 75°C and 95 amps at 90°C. Aluminum values are 55, 65 and 75 amps in the corresponding columns. The wire ampacity chart provides context for reading those columns.
These values are not blanket circuit ratings. Terminal temperature limits, installation conditions, conductor grouping and applicable code provisions affect allowable use. A higher insulation temperature rating does not automatically permit use of the highest ampacity column. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for a feeder or service. For selling, accurate insulation and conductor identification help us evaluate the material.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
Surplus 4 AWG cable can come from feeder installations, residential service work, plant maintenance and equipment projects across Greater Houston. Typical applications include feeders in the 70–100 amp range, bare copper grounding grids, welding leads and battery connections. Those applications use different constructions, so gauge alone does not establish interchangeability.
Copper 4 AWG may serve residential service conductors rated at 100 amps where applicable dwelling-service provisions and installation conditions permit. That is not a general rating for every 4 AWG copper installation. Welding cable, battery cable and building wire likewise require evaluation for their intended use.
When reviewing Houston construction leftovers or plant inventory, we need to know whether the material is insulated building wire, flexible cable, bare conductor or a multiconductor assembly. Keep project labels and original packaging where available. They help establish what the wire is and whether another buyer can reuse it, without treating every coil as generic copper scrap.
04Wire and Cable Types We Buy in 4 AWG
We review reusable 4 AWG inventory in several insulation and cable families. For building and feeder wire, that includes THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2 and USE-2/RHW-2. Clear markings matter because similar-looking conductors can carry different use ratings.
We also buy qualifying NM-B (Romex), MC cable, MC-HL / Teck, SER/SEU, URD, tray cable, VFD cable, welding cable, portable cord, bare copper and PV wire in this size. For multiconductor products, identify the complete assembly rather than describing it only as 4 AWG wire. Include the jacket designation and conductor information shown on the tag.
Send photos of the cable ends, outer jacket and packaging so we can review construction and condition. Do not strip intact reusable cable just to expose the metal. Short unusable pieces, burned wire and heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap; we focus on material that can be reused and will tell you what qualifies.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
4 AWG copper wire value depends on more than its weight. We consider conductor metal markets, wire type and current demand, size, footage, packaging condition, manufacturer, date code, quantity and pickup logistics. Reusable material is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value.
Approximate finished copper THHN/THWN-2 weight is 153 lb per 1,000 ft. For example, 153 lb of net wire weight suggests about 1,000 ft of that specific product. Exclude the reel and packaging from the weight. This is an estimate, not proof of footage; jacket markings and reel records are useful checks.
Bare stranded copper weighs about 129 lb per 1,000 ft, while bare aluminum weighs about 39 lb per 1,000 ft. Do not apply the finished THHN estimate to either. The copper wire weight chart helps explain these distinctions. Common put-ups are 500 ft, 1,000 ft and 2,500 ft reels. Keep remaining lengths labeled and separate from damaged offcuts.
06How to Sell 4 AWG Wire in Houston
Send reel-tag or jacket-print photos, footage or weight, and your location to Houston Wire Buyers. Call or text 951-403-5738, or email industrial832@gmail.com. You can also request a written offer. We review the information, provide a written offer, then schedule pickup or an appointment for drop-off.
Our service area is Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Drop-off is at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in the southeast Houston Mayfair area near I-45 and I-610. Call first; drop-off is by appointment only.
For heavy reels, describe access, reel condition and available loading equipment before scheduling. Do not move unstable reels or attempt unsafe loading to prepare a sale. We verify the material on site, with payment per the written offer. As 4 AWG wire buyers, we need accurate descriptions of remaining footage and damage to keep the review tied to the actual inventory.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I include other wire sizes with my 4 AWG inventory?
Yes. Houston Wire Buyers buys reusable copper and aluminum wire from 18 AWG to 1000 kcmil. Identify each size and type separately in your inventory photos. Keep labels attached and avoid combining unmarked lengths, which makes it harder to establish what is available and evaluate the lot accurately.
Should I remove 4 AWG conductors from an intact cable assembly?
Leave an intact, reusable assembly together for review. Its jacket markings and complete construction may establish a resale use that loose conductors would not retain. Send the assembly label and end photos first. Dismantling or stripping it before evaluation can remove useful identification and reduce its reusable value.
Does an older date code automatically make unused wire scrap?
No. Manufacturer and date code are evaluation factors, but they do not replace a condition review. Tell us how the wire was stored and photograph any weathering, jacket deterioration or packaging damage. We assess the identifiable material and current demand rather than assuming that unused older inventory is automatically reusable or scrap.
Can you quote wire when the reel tag is missing?
We can review clear jacket-print photos and whatever footage or weight information you have. Include photos showing the overall coil or reel and any visible condition issues. Missing identification may limit what we can establish. Do not guess the insulation type or represent an estimated length as a confirmed measurement.
Are you Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy surplus reusable wire from sellers in Greater Houston. To discuss your 4 AWG inventory with us, use 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com, and arrange an appointment before bringing material to McGrew Street.