Wire buying
AC Cable Buyers in South Carolina
Armored cable, still called BX by most electricians, remains common in older buildings and in jurisdictions that allow it for branch circuits. We buy AC cable coils and cut lengths statewide, including legacy stock.
Wire and cable only. Statewide South Carolina pickup, no obligation to sell.
Where AC cable surplus comes from
Renovation of older commercial buildings is the main source. When a building is rewired, the removed cable is usually scrap, but unopened coils left from the original installation often sit in a basement or storage room for decades. Those coils are what we buy.
Distributors also carry legacy AC stock that no longer moves in their market. If a code change or a shift to MC cable left inventory stranded, we will quote it as a lot.
Telling AC from MC
The visible difference is the bonding strip inside the armor. AC cable has a thin aluminum bonding strip in contact with the armor; MC cable has a full-size insulated green ground conductor instead. This matters because the two products serve different code applications and are priced differently.
If the armor is cut back, photograph the conductors and the strip. If the coil is sealed, the carton label or coil tag will identify it. We can also identify from an inspection.
Condition considerations
Older AC cable can have brittle conductor insulation, especially if it was stored in a hot attic or a damp basement. Cracked insulation at the coil ends is a warning sign. We will still evaluate it, but the offer reflects the risk.
Coils that were stored flat and dry usually hold up well. Coils that were stored on a concrete floor in a humid building are more likely to show moisture damage at the ends.
What we buy in this category
- 14/2 and 14/3 AC cable coils
- 12/2 and 12/3 AC cable coils
- 10/2, 10/3 and 10/4 AC cable
- Legacy AC cable from older building stock
- Opened coils with substantial remaining length
- Cut lengths above 25 feet
- Distributor discontinued AC inventory
- Copper conductor AC assemblies
- Municipal and school renovation leftovers
- Mixed armored cable lots including MC and AC
- Coils with original cartons where available
- Partial reels from electrical contractors
Specifications and buying notes
The table below reflects the constructions we see most often in South Carolina surplus. Variations exist between manufacturers, and the print on the jacket always governs.
| Construction | THHN conductors in flexible interlocked steel armor with bonding strip |
| Voltage rating | 600 V |
| Common configurations | 14/2, 12/2, 12/3, 10/2, 10/3 and 10/4 |
| Grounding | Armor plus internal bonding strip serves as equipment ground |
| Standards | UL 4, NEC Article 320 |
| Packaging | 250 ft coils standard; 1,000 ft reels available |
| Typical condition | Coils with opened wrap, job returns, older distributor stock |
| Identification | Conductor print plus armor type; bonding strip confirms AC |
What photographs help us price this fastest
A shot of the reel tag, a close-up of the jacket print, a clear view of the cut end, and one overview photograph of the whole inventory. Four images usually settle every question we have without a site visit.
Questions about selling ac cable
Do you buy old BX cable?
Yes, we evaluate legacy AC cable, including older stock with brittle insulation. Condition at the coil ends drives the offer.
How can I tell whether I have AC or MC cable?
Look inside the armor: AC has a thin bonding strip, MC has a full-size insulated green ground wire. A photograph of a cut end is enough for us to confirm.
Is AC cable still used in South Carolina?
It is permitted in specific applications under the NEC and remains common in some commercial and multifamily work, though MC cable has largely replaced it in new construction.
Do you buy small quantities of AC cable?
Yes, as part of a mixed lot. Individual partial coils are usually combined with other wire to make a load worth collecting.
Request a quote
Tell us what is on the reel
Send the basics and a few photographs. Reel tags, jacket markings and cut ends are usually enough for us to price the material without a site visit.
- Manufacturer or brand, if legible
- Wire type, gauge or size, and voltage rating
- Approximate footage and number of spools
- Photos of reel tags, jacket print and cable ends
Prefer to talk? (614) 715-3047
saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com
Surplus wire quote request
Fields marked * are required. Photographs may be added below; total upload size is limited to 10 MB.