Wire buying
Instrumentation Cable Buyers in South Carolina
Instrumentation cable carries analog and digital signals between field devices and control systems. It is specified by pair count, shield type and rating, and surplus reels are common in process industries.
Wire and cable only. Statewide South Carolina pickup, no obligation to sell.
Instrumentation cable in process plants
Chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, food and water treatment facilities run instrumentation cable in tray and conduit to transmitters, analyzers and valves. When an instrument loop is rerouted or a unit is upgraded, the leftover reels stay in the instrument shop.
We buy 16 AWG and 18 AWG pairs and triads, individually shielded and overall shielded, in ITC and PLTC ratings. Pair count, shield arrangement and conductor size determine which projects can use the reel.
Shield arrangements and why they matter
Individual pair shields with individual drains are used where crosstalk between loops matters. Overall shields with a single drain are simpler and less expensive. Combination constructions exist for high-channel-count installations.
Photograph the cut end so the shield and drain arrangement is visible, and photograph the jacket print for the rating. Those two images resolve most identification questions.
Selling partial instrumentation reels
Instrumentation cable is expensive per foot relative to its copper content, so partial reels are worth quoting even at a few hundred feet. A reel of 12-pair individually shielded ITC cable with 300 feet left can be worth several hundred dollars.
Keep reels sealed if possible. Opened reels stored in dirty environments can have contaminated conductors at the ends, which must be cut back before use.
What we buy in this category
- 16 AWG and 18 AWG instrument pairs
- Individual and overall shielded twisted pairs
- Triads for RTD and thermocouple circuits
- ITC and ITC-ER rated cable
- PLTC and PLTC-ER rated instrument cable
- Multi-pair cable from 4 to 24 pairs
- Class 1 Division 2 rated cable
- Thermocouple extension cable
- Chemical and pharmaceutical plant surplus
- Water and wastewater instrumentation cable
- Partial reels with measured footage
- Mixed instrument cable lots
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 | Twisted pairs or triads, individually or overall shielded, with drain wire |
| Voltage rating | 300 V (600 V in some constructions) |
| Temperature rating | 90°C to 105°C |
| Conductor sizes | 16, 18, 20 and 24 AWG stranded copper |
| Configurations | 1 to 24 pairs or triads; 16 AWG common for analog loops |
| Ratings | ITC, ITC-ER, PLTC, PLTC-ER, Class 1 Div 2 where marked |
| Standards | UL 2250, NEC Articles 727 and 725 |
| Packaging | 500 ft and 1,000 ft reels |
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 instrumentation cable
What is ITC cable?
Instrumentation tray cable: a cable type listed for instrumentation circuits in tray under NEC Article 727.
Do you buy thermocouple extension wire?
Yes, including type J, K and T extension cable, which is purchased separately from standard instrument cable.
Can I sell instrumentation cable in short lengths?
Often yes, because the per-foot value is high. Anything above roughly 100 feet is worth quoting for multi-pair shielded constructions.
How do I identify the pair count if the tag is missing?
Count the pairs at the cut end, or check the jacket print. Photographs of both are enough for us to identify it.
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
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