Wire category
SURPLUS BUILDING WIRE: THHN, THWN AND XHHW
The wire that fills contractor shelves and plant cribs: single-conductor thermoplastic and cross-linked polyethylene wire, #14 through 1000 MCM, copper and aluminum.
Leftover project wire? Sell it now — don’t scrap it.
THHN, THWN and THWN-2
Thermoplastic single-conductor wire with a nylon jacket over PVC insulation, rated 600V. The THHN designation is dry-location 90°C; THWN adds the wet-location rating at 75°C, and THWN-2 carries 90°C in wet locations. Modern wire is usually dual- or triple-rated and printed accordingly.
It is the most common surplus wire in Michigan warehouses because it is the most common wire purchased: every commercial job buys it in multiple sizes, and every job ends with some of it unused.
XHHW and XHHW-2
Cross-linked polyethylene insulation, 600V, with better moisture and heat performance than thermoplastic. XHHW-2 is rated 90°C in both dry and wet locations and is common in feeders, service conductors and outdoor conduit.
XHHW in aluminum is one of the largest-volume surplus items in commercial electrical work, particularly in 1/0 through 500 MCM.
Sizes and packaging
| Size range | Typical ampacity | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| #14 – #10 | 15 – 30 A | Device wiring, control panels, lighting circuits, fixture whips |
| #8 – #6 | 40 – 55 A | Ranges, sub-panels, small feeders, HVAC disconnects |
| #4 – #1 | 70 – 130 A | Feeders, service risers, machinery drops, grounding |
| 1/0 – 4/0 | 120 – 230 A | Service entrances, main feeders, distribution, switchboard ties |
| 250 – 500 MCM | 255 – 380 A | Parallel feeders, industrial distribution, large service laterals |
| 600 – 1000 MCM | 475 – 615 A | Utility interconnects, heavy industrial service, substation ties |
Ampacities are approximate copper values at 75°C, listed only to help identify material. They are not installation guidance.
Packaging tells you what kind of surplus you are looking at:
- Factory cartons — 500 ft coils of #14 to #10, still banded, often unopened.
- Spools — 500 and 1,000 ft of #12 to #6.
- Reels — 1,000 to 2,500 ft of larger sizes, and up to 5,000 ft on the biggest reels.
- Partial reels — the most common format of all.
What we check before quoting
- Print legend — type, size, voltage and any sunlight-resistance or gas-line ratings.
- Jacket condition — UV fading and cracking on material stored outdoors, abrasion from handling.
- Remaining length — written on the flange, printed on a tag, or estimated from the wrap.
- Reel integrity — broken flanges mean re-reeling before the wire can travel.
- Storage — dry indoor storage is the best case; a yard under a tarp for a decade is not.
Wire that has been pulled through conduit and removed is reviewed separately from unused stock. Both are considered; they are not priced the same.
Request a quote
Send your building wire details
Send the details and photos once — we review the lot and come back with a real number, not a range.
What helps us quote fast
- Cable markings and jacket legends from the reel tag
- Total footage, reel count or an estimated weight
- Whether the material is new surplus, unused or a partial reel
- How a truck gets to it — dock, forklift, ground level
Talk to a buyer
+1 (614) 715-3047
saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com
Photos and contact details are used only to evaluate and respond to this request. See the privacy notice.
Surplus wire quote request
Questions sellers ask before they call
What is the difference between THHN and THWN?
THHN is rated for dry locations at 90°C; THWN adds a wet-location rating at 75°C. Most modern wire is dual-rated and printed as both, so the distinction rarely affects identification.
Do you buy 500 ft cartons?
Yes. Unopened cartons of #14 through #10 are quoted regularly, and opened cartons with a known remaining length are considered too.
Do you buy building wire in aluminum?
Yes, especially XHHW aluminum from #6 through 500 MCM.
Do you buy wire from a plant maintenance crib?
Yes. Mixed sizes from a crib are fine — send a list or photograph the reel tags.
Something not covered here? Call +1 (614) 715-3047 or email saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com and we will answer directly.
Surplus wire sitting in a warehouse costs money every month
Send what you have and we will tell you what it is worth. One reel, a pallet of cut lengths, or a full rack of medium-voltage cable — start with the details and a few photos.