If you need to sell XHHW-2 wire in California, we evaluate copper and aluminum feeder stock by its exact markings. Unused partial reels, original master reels and documented cut lengths can have inventory value that differs from their recoverable metal value.
Why XHHW-2 appears in large feeder lots
XHHW-2 is single-conductor building wire with thermoset insulation, commonly cross-linked polyethylene, or XLPE. X identifies the cross-linked insulation, HH means high heat resistance, and W means water resistance. The -2 designation identifies the applicable 90°C wet/dry rating.
These conductors appear in service, feeder and industrial-power work. Commercial warehouses and large facilities can leave substantial reel remnants after feeder lengths change. Aluminum is particularly relevant on larger runs because of its cost and weight compared with copper.
In California, warehouse buildouts, plant upgrades and equipment additions are useful contexts for identifying the original job. Our Inland Empire wire buying page covers Riverside and San Bernardino counties. We buy within California only and arrange pickup statewide.
Sell XHHW-2 wire with the conductor metal identified
Copper XHHW-2 commonly spans 14 AWG through 1000 kcmil (MCM). A representative aluminum building-wire line covers 6 AWG through 1000 kcmil. Those are family ranges; the actual product number establishes what is on your reel.
Modern aluminum building wire often uses an AA-8000-series alloy. Southwire's referenced XHHW-2 line uses AA-8176 compact-stranded conductors. Record that alloy when shown rather than describing every aluminum feeder as the same material.
| Feeder detail | What we need to distinguish | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | CU versus AL; alloy if shown | Different product and metal values |
| AWG group | 6, 4, 2 and 1 AWG examples | Actual conductor area, not cable diameter |
| Aught group | 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 and 4/0 | Distinct sizes, not interchangeable labels |
| Large feeders | 250, 350, 500, 600 and 750 kcmil | Specification and footage drive reuse prospects |
| Stranding | Conventional, compressed or compact | Construction affects the finished dimensions |
For larger lots, compare the 1/0 through 4/0 size group with our large kcmil feeder category. Do not round 4/0 up to 250 kcmil; they describe different metal areas.
Copper and aluminum of the same nominal gauge do not automatically have equal ampacity. Identify them from the legend, product documentation and accessible conductor ends. Our aluminum wire buying information explains that material category without confusing it with aluminum armor around copper cable.
XHHW-2 versus THHN: a different insulation system
THHN/THWN-2 generally has PVC insulation plus nylon. XHHW-2 commonly uses a single XLPE insulation layer without a nylon jacket. Its insulation wall is generally thicker than comparable THHN, so outside diameter alone is not a reliable gauge comparison.
Service Wire's manufacturer comparison describes the thermoset/thermoplastic distinction, cold flexibility and abrasion-related properties. XLPE can retain flexibility better at low temperatures than PVC and has different resistance to environmental exposure. These material differences do not certify the condition of an individual surplus reel.
For our evaluation, photograph cuts, crushed areas and abrasion directly in the XLPE surface. Do not report missing nylon as damage if the construction never included nylon. Keep THHN and THWN-2 stock separate so its condition and ratings are not transferred to the XHHW-2 inventory.
Read voltage, added ratings and color together
Both 600 V and 1000 V XHHW-2 products occur. Look for XHHW-2, voltage, 90C, manufacturer, gauge and CU or AL. Additional text may identify COMPACT, RW90, SUN RES, CT and manufacturing or footage codes.
XHHW-2 does not by itself establish direct-burial suitability. A reel may carry additional ratings, but the complete legend must support them. Triple-rated USE-2/RHH/RHW-2 wire is a related identification category; do not infer those ratings from a similar black XLPE surface.
Factory colors can include black, red, blue, brown, orange, yellow, white, gray and green, depending on the product. Photograph stripes and field-applied identification tape separately. Color does not replace a voltage or conductor-metal marking.
The original reel label should agree with the wire legend. A distributor SKU helps locate documentation, but a rewound reel can retain an unrelated old tag. Package certification marks are useful evidence alongside, not instead of, the actual conductor description.
Feeder lengths, reel condition and resale value
Typical feeder put-ups include 500 ft and 1000 ft reels, with larger wooden master reels where size and weight allow. Some products occur in 2500 ft packages. Project-ordered cuts and partial reels are normal, so the original package length is not automatically the amount remaining.
A documented continuous remnant may be useful stock even after the original job ends. Several disconnected lengths with the same total footage present a different reuse opportunity. Tell us whether each length is unused, previously pulled, spliced or rewound.
Condition, exact gauge, factory color, voltage and current demand all affect the offer. Copper feeders may also have meaningful recovery value if unsuitable as inventory. Aluminum stock must be assessed separately rather than included in a copper-weight estimate.
Shipping considerations also change the evaluation. Reel flanges, overall width and gross weight affect handling, while a damaged barrel may complicate keeping the wire intact. Flag any manufacturer-owned or returnable steel reel rather than assuming the package belongs to the seller.
The XHHW-2 details to send for review
- One legible print sequence showing XHHW-2, voltage and wet/dry temperature information.
- CU or AL markings, AA-8000 alloy details and COMPACT wording where present.
- Gauge-by-gauge inventory, preserving every aught or kcmil size exactly.
- Original tag photos with catalog number, manufacture date, reel ID and listed footage.
- Factory color and stripe details for every feeder, with field tape identified separately.
- Remaining continuous lengths, endpoint footage marks and any rewinding or splice history.
- Close views of abrasion, flattening, exposed metal or damaged XLPE insulation.
- California storage location, loading access and documentation showing authority to sell the feeder lot.
Other conductor families belong in our wire types catalog. For this lot, retain matching labels and keep unused reels apart from pulled copper scrap. Offers and payment arrangements are confirmed in writing before pickup; applicable California scrap requirements are followed. This brief reference is not legal advice.
Common questions
Does COMPACT AL mean the feeder has less aluminum than labeled?
No. Compact stranding reduces the spaces between strands and the conductor's outside diameter relative to a conventional round-strand layout. The nominal conductor area remains the printed AWG or kcmil size. Send the size, alloy and compact designation together. Neither the finished diameter nor comparison with a copper conductor reliably establishes the aluminum size or its applicable ampacity.
Should an older XHHW reel be listed as XHHW-2?
Only if the actual product carries the -2 designation. XHHW and XHHW-2 have different wet-temperature ratings: the familiar XHHW designation is 75°C wet and 90°C dry, while XHHW-2 is 90°C wet or dry. Keep the older description intact and show the complete legend. A current manufacturer's specification cannot automatically add ratings to a historical reel.
Can one XHHW-2 reel be called both 600 V and 1000 V?
Some products carry both ratings, while other reels may show only one. We need the voltage actually printed on the wire and supported by its original documentation. Do not describe a 600 V reel as 1000 V merely because a newer product with the same insulation name is dual rated. Exact manufacturer and part-number information helps distinguish those versions.