mm, mm² and AWG describe different things
Diameter in mm and metallic area in mm² are different quantities. If your drawing uses AWG, include the gauge system and whether it refers to solid wire or the equivalent area of a stranded conductor.
Copper wire & stranded copper conductors
Copper wire in spool and coil formats, with solid-wire and stranded-conductor examples. Match the conductor dimensions, material condition and delivery package to your drawing, equipment and application.
Wire spools, coils & stranded construction
Enlarge any of the seven supplied photos to compare spool formats, coiled wire and visible stranded construction. Exact grade, diameter and surface treatment are confirmed by the order specification.
01 / SIZES & SELECTION
Separate wire diameter from conductor area.
For solid round wire, quote the diameter in mm. For a stranded conductor, quote the metallic area in mm² plus the number and diameter of individual wires. Overall bundle diameter is a separate dimension.
The dimensions below are practical sourcing examples, not a confirmed stock list or manufacturing limit. Supply combinations and tolerances are confirmed for the selected grade, temper and order.
| Form / dimension | Common inquiry examples | Selection notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wire · fine diameters | 0.20, 0.30, 0.50 mm | Examples for fine drawing, small formed parts and further processing. Agree diameter tolerance, continuity, surface and pay-off requirements. |
| Solid wire · intermediate diameters | 0.80, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 mm | Examples for conductive components and forming feedstock. Match temper, elongation, bend requirements and surface condition to the process. |
| Solid wire · larger diameters | 2.50, 3.00, 4.00 mm | Discuss rigidity, coil handling and any straightening or cutting needs. Availability depends on the required material and package. |
| Stranded conductor · metallic area | 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50 mm² | Sourcing examples, not an ampacity table. Specify strand count × individual-wire diameter, lay, flexibility and the applicable conductor standard. |
| Individual wire and finished conductor | n × d; overall diameter and lay by specification | State whether dimensions refer to an individual wire, bare stranded bundle or finished insulated product. Do not treat these diameters as interchangeable. |
| Spool, coil or drum | Flange / barrel / bore dimensions, net weight and pay-off direction | Supply the spool drawing or equipment limits, coil ID / OD, maximum package weight and continuous-length requirement. |
Confirm the surface and insulation separately
Copper colour alone does not establish whether wire is bare or enamelled. State bare, plated or insulated requirements explicitly. For enamelled-wire requests, provide the insulation specification, build and thermal class for review.
Agree the dimensions and electrical evidence
- Define diameter tolerance and ovality for solid wire; for stranded conductors define strand construction, lay direction, lay length and overall-diameter limits.
- Agree resistance or conductivity evidence with the test method and reference temperature, plus tensile strength, elongation and joint requirements where relevant.
- Specify spool geometry, net weight, length tolerance, permitted joints, end identification and pay-off behaviour. Dimensions and acceptance criteria belong in the agreed order.
02 / MATERIAL & TEMPER01 02 03
Choose the grade for the job.
C11000 / Cu-ETP material requests
Common requests for conductive copper feedstock. Confirm the governing material specification, chemistry and electrical properties; the photo does not identify the copper grade.
Oxygen-free copper requests
If your drawing requires C10200 or another oxygen-free grade, include the exact designation and standard. Grade substitutions and supply combinations are reviewed before quotation.
Soft, annealed or harder conditions
Match temper to drawing, bending, forming or connection needs. ASTM B3 covers soft or annealed copper wire; ASTM B8 addresses concentric-lay stranded copper conductors. State the applicable standard and edition rather than assuming every construction uses the same specification.
Specify the conductor around the next operation.
Electrical and cable manufacturing
Wire may be feedstock for conductive parts, further drawing or cable production. Define individual-wire diameter, resistance, elongation, surface cleanliness and continuous length around the downstream process.
Earthing and bonding components
Stranded-conductor inquiries may require a defined area, construction and termination arrangement. Provide the installation specification and mating terminal details; the complete installation determines suitability.
Flexible connections and assemblies
A stranded construction can accommodate different handling and forming needs from solid wire. Define strand count, individual-wire size, flexibility, termination and any movement requirement; stranded appearance alone does not establish a flex-life rating.
Forming and winding feedstock
Specify bend radii, temper, diameter tolerance and spool pay-off for forming or downstream winding processes. Motor or transformer magnet-wire requests also need a defined insulation system; bare copper is not interchangeable with enamelled winding wire.
04 / PROCESSING & FINISH01 02 03 04
Define the delivery condition.
Diameter and material condition
Provide the finished wire size, tolerance and mechanical requirements. Drawing and annealing requirements are reviewed against the requested grade and delivery form.
Strand construction
List the required metallic area, number and diameter of wires, lay direction and construction standard. Confirm whether a compacted or other special construction is required rather than inferring it from a photograph.
Surface and insulation requests
State the required bare surface or any plating or insulation specification. Special finishes are reviewed for quotation; the supplied photos do not certify coating type, thickness or insulation class.
Winding and continuous length
Specify spool or drum dimensions, traverse winding, pay-off direction, continuous length and permitted joints. Identify each end and protect it during packing.
Material and conductor checks
- Agree chemistry, temper, diameter or strand-construction checks and batch traceability.
- Request the agreed resistance / conductivity, tensile and elongation evidence, including test methods and reference temperature.
- List material reports, conformity documents and third-party inspection needs before ordering. Any certification or compliance evidence must be confirmed for the supplied product.
Packing for clean, stable pay-off
- Select spools, secured coils or supported drums around your handling equipment. Agree net weight, package dimensions and maximum handling weight.
- Discuss protective wrapping, flange protection and pallet or case support to prevent abrasion, loose turns and transport damage.
- Provide the delivery destination and wood-packaging requirements; keep identification and store in dry conditions that protect the agreed surface.
TELL US WHAT YOU NEED
Send the wire construction and package you need.
Start with solid or stranded construction, diameter or area, and intended use. Add the required material condition, surface specification, total quantity and spool or coil dimensions for a useful quotation.
Request a copper wire quotation- 01Solid wire diameter or stranded area and construction
- 02Material / temper / governing standard
- 03Bare, plated or insulated surface specification
- 04Spool / coil / drum dimensions and net weight
- 05Quantity, destination and inspection documents
Copper wire buying questions
Are all copper-coloured spool wires bare copper?+
No. Colour and a photograph do not establish an insulation or coating system. State the required surface explicitly. Enamelled or otherwise insulated wire requires its own agreed specification and is reviewed separately.
What dimensions are needed for a stranded conductor?+
Provide metallic cross-sectional area, strand count and individual-wire diameter, plus construction standard and overall-diameter limits where relevant. Include lay, flexibility, termination and package requirements.
Can you quote different spool sizes or continuous lengths?+
Send the spool drawing or equipment limits, net weight, required length, pay-off direction and permitted joints. The package and production combination are confirmed during quotation.
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