Cable, Grade Information
Armoured Cable
Steel wire armoured (SWA) cable, the tough, buried-grade cable of industry and infrastructure, generating valuable scrap from major electrical projects.
Periodic Table Position
History & Interesting Facts
Steel wire armoured (SWA) cable was developed in the early 20th century to provide mechanical protection for electrical cables in industrial environments. Before armoured cable, rubber-insulated conductors in steel conduit were the standard for industrial wiring, labour-intensive to install and difficult to route. The development of extruded PVC insulation combined with a galvanised steel wire braid or armour provided both mechanical protection and a reliable earth path in a single, flexible cable. By the mid-20th century, SWA cable had become the standard for outdoor power distribution, underground cable runs, and industrial machinery connections across UK industry. Major infrastructure projects, power stations, substations, cable tunnels, and industrial facilities, used SWA cable exclusively for distribution circuits. The sheer volume of SWA cable installed across UK industry and infrastructure during the post-war boom now represents an enormous potential scrap resource as it reaches end of life.
Historical Uses
Armoured cable has been the backbone of industrial and infrastructure electrical distribution since the 1940s. UK power stations, both coal-fired and nuclear, were wired with miles of SWA cable for medium voltage distribution and instrumentation. Oil and gas refineries use specially rated SWA cable for hazardous area classification zones. Mines and quarries depended on robust armoured cable for powering underground equipment. Railway signalling and telecoms infrastructure used armoured cable for its mechanical durability in trackside environments. Water treatment works, pumping stations, and sewage treatment plants rely on SWA for outdoor motor connections and distribution boards. Street lighting circuits typically run as underground SWA from distribution substations to lamp columns. Every major building built since 1950 has significant quantities of SWA cable in its electrical distribution system.
Current Uses
Armoured cable scrap arises when industrial and infrastructure plant is decommissioned, buildings are demolished, or electrical systems are upgraded. Power stations reaching end of life, including many of the UK's older coal and nuclear plants currently being decommissioned, contain enormous quantities of SWA cable. Industrial plant closures and factory decommissions provide armoured cable from distribution boards, motors, and control systems. Renewable energy project decommissions (wind turbines and solar parks reaching end of contracted life) will become an increasing source. Building demolition contractors recover SWA cable from commercial and industrial properties. The dual-metal composition of SWA cable, copper conductor plus steel armour, means it requires specialist processing to realise the value of both materials separately.
Future Possible Uses
Armoured cable will continue to be specified for underground power distribution, renewable energy connections, and industrial applications for the foreseeable future. Offshore wind farms use substantial quantities of SWA cable (or more commonly, XLPE cable with armour) for inter-turbine connections and export cables. UK grid upgrades for electrification will require installation of additional underground power cables. The development of higher-voltage DC (direct current) cable systems for offshore and long-distance power transmission is creating demand for new cable types. End-of-life armoured cable from these new installations will contribute to future scrap volumes. Improved cable stripping and granulation technology, using automated robotic systems, is making the processing of complex multi-component cable increasingly economical, improving recovery rates and scrap value.
Where Does This Scrap Come From?
Armoured cable scrap comes from industrial plant decommissions, power station closures, factory demolitions, and infrastructure upgrade projects. Electrical contractors on large commercial and industrial projects generate offcut SWA during installation. Network operators (including UK Power Networks, Northern PowerGrid, and Scottish Power Energy Networks) decommission cable during network upgrades. Industrial facilities closing, including steel works, chemical plants, and manufacturing sites, yield large cable inventories. Mining and quarrying operations decommissioning underground equipment provide substantial SWA cable. The cable must be separated from steel conduit, cable trays, and other materials to achieve accurate pricing. Because of its steel armour content, SWA typically pays less per tonne than pure PVC cable, reflecting the lower overall copper yield.
How Is It Remanufactured?
Armoured cable processing is more complex than PVC cable due to its multi-layer construction: copper conductor, bedding, PVC insulation, steel wire armour (or aluminium wire armour in some cases), and outer sheath. Cable granulators capable of processing armoured cable are larger and more powerful than standard cable granulators. The cable is cut into short lengths and fed through a granulator that separates copper, PVC, and steel into separate streams by density and magnetic separation. Copper granules go to copper smelters. The steel wire armour, separated magnetically, is sold as steel scrap. PVC and other polymers are separated by density and air classification. The multi-stage separation process means the processing cost per tonne is higher than for plain PVC cable, justifying the price discount at the scrap yard. Modern automated cable processing lines can handle multi-tonne volumes per hour.
5-Year Price Trend & Forecast
Armoured cable scrap prices reflect the blended value of its copper and steel content, minus the processing cost of separating them. The copper content of SWA cable varies by specification, a 4-core 16mm² cable has much higher copper content by weight than a 2-core 2.5mm² version. Over 2021–2026, the strong rise in LME copper prices has lifted armoured cable scrap values significantly. UK scrap yard prices for SWA cable have ranged from approximately £500 to £1,500/tonne, depending on copper content and cable specification. Heavier armoured cable (larger conductor cross-section) always pays better per tonne than light domestic-specification armoured cable. The long-term outlook for armoured cable scrap values is positive, tracking the structural bull market in copper driven by electrification demand.
Note: All scrap yard prices paid by QuickStop Metals are calculated as a percentage of the prevailing LME or spot market price, updated daily. Check today's prices →
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