ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Is wire made with pure copper

Ya know gents, I really dont think that your average THHN or romex is made from "Pure 100% Copper".

One reason I say this other than the obvious results of recycling, where most of our wire is coming from now. And that I had to once order a "100% PURE COPPER" Ground bar for Telco ground once, and it was 4X's the cost of a regular "copper" ground bar. It was also subtly different....

I have also recently seen some conductors that seem to have a little too much brass in the mix... i.e. kinda yellow.

Also, what is the difference in Hard, and Soft drawn copper? Do they whip air into it like wonder bread?

Anyway, I think the word "pure" may be subjective to a margin like >80%.