Insulated Copper
#1 INSULATED COPPER
There is a wide range of electrical wire that could fall into the classification of #1 insulated; including any wire that has strands the size of a 12 gauge solid strand wire or larger (single strand is as big or bigger in diameter to the lead on a #2 pencil lead) and has the defined recycling market recovery. Often 1 through 6 AWG will qualify along with 10 and 12 AWG solid strand wire.
#2 INSULATED COPPER
Similar to #1 insulated #2 Insulated has an even a wider range of electrical wire that could fall into its classification. Wire that has smaller strands than a12 AWG solid wire (single strand is smaller in diameter to the lead on a #2 pencil lead) or a less defined recovery than #1 insulated will be classified as #2 insulated. This includes but not limited to 8 through 12 AWG stranded and any 14 through 30 AWG wire. Most telecommunication wire will also be placed into #2 insulated such as cat4, cat5, cat6 and other ethernet and standard phone cords. Another example of #2 insulated are most 110 outlet cords and extension cords and heliax
ROMEX
Very common wire used in wiring homes. It is considered a mid -recovery insulated grade. Romex will typically have copper recovery that will fall in between that of #1 insulated & #2 insulated wires.
LOW GRADE INSULATED COPPER
This category is broad and includes any wire what has more contaminants, or less copper recovery than #2 Insulated copper.
URD CABLE
There is a wide range of electrical wire that could fall into the classification of #1 insulated; including any wire that has strands the size of a 12 gauge solid strand wire or larger (single strand is as big or bigger in diameter to the lead on a #2 pencil lead) and has the defined recycling market recovery. Often 1 through 6 AWG will qualify along with 10 and 12 AWG solid strand wire.