How much copper is in an electric motor?
About one pound in ten. A 10 HP motor typically holds around 19 pounds of copper windings — here is the full table, and why we buy motors whole.
Typical copper content by motor size.
An electric motor is a copper donut wrapped in steel. The windings in the stator — the stationary outer part — are pure copper wire, and they are the reason motors are worth real money as scrap. The table below gives typical copper recovery from standard TEFC (totally enclosed, fan-cooled) induction motors. These are approximate values backed by manufacturer weight data and U.S. Department of Energy motor references — your exact motor will vary by manufacturer, frame, and efficiency class. Premium-efficiency motors generally carry more copper than standard ones, because extra copper is part of how they hit the higher efficiency number.
| Motor size | Copper windings |
|---|---|
| 1 HP | ≈ 2.5 lbs |
| 2 HP | ≈ 4.5 lbs |
| 3 HP | ≈ 6.5 lbs |
| 5 HP | ≈ 10 lbs |
| 7.5 HP | ≈ 14 lbs |
| 10 HP | ≈ 19 lbs |
| 15 HP | ≈ 27 lbs |
| 20 HP | ≈ 35 lbs |
| 25 HP | ≈ 43 lbs |
| 30 HP | ≈ 52 lbs |
| 40 HP | ≈ 66 lbs |
| 50 HP | ≈ 82 lbs |
| 75 HP | ≈ 115 lbs |
| 100 HP | ≈ 150 lbs |
Values are typical/approximate recovery from the stator windings after stripping. Fractional-horsepower motors (under 1 HP) generally run 1–2 lbs of copper. Always verify by weighing — the table is a planning guide, not a quote.
Copper is 8 to 12 percent of the motor.
Here is the simple version: in a typical industrial motor, roughly one pound in ten is copper windings. The rest is the steel frame, the rotor, end bells, and the fan. That copper is the highest-value material in the whole unit — which is why some sellers strip motors down to the windings and others sell them whole. Stripping takes real time and a press or a good cutoff setup; selling whole takes zero effort but leaves the stripping margin on the table. There is no universally right answer — it depends on your time, your tools, and how many motors you have. Our strip-or-sell calculator walks through the weight math so you can decide with numbers instead of guesses.
Do not strip it if you do not want to.
Ironcrest buys electric motors whole — no stripping required, no sorting, no pressing out stators in your shop. Burned-out, seized, obsolete, or just surplus: if it is an electric motor, I will make an offer on it as it sits. Send a photo with the nameplate visible (horsepower and frame tell me most of what I need), get today's offer, and I will arrange pickup. Based in Chicago, buying nationwide.
Questions, answered.
How much copper is in a 10 HP electric motor?
Typically around 19 pounds of copper in the stator windings of a standard TEFC 10 HP motor — approximate, and premium-efficiency motors run higher. See the full HP-to-pounds table above.
What part of the motor is the copper in?
The stator windings — coils of copper wire in the stationary outer part of the motor. The rotor, frame, and end bells are steel and aluminum.
Do premium-efficiency motors have more copper?
Generally yes. Extra copper in the windings is one of the main ways manufacturers reach higher efficiency classes, so a premium-efficiency motor typically yields more copper than a standard motor of the same horsepower.
Will you buy my motor without me stripping it?
Yes. Ironcrest buys electric motors whole — burned-out, seized, or surplus. Send a photo with the nameplate visible for today's offer.
Send photos, estimated weight, material type, and location for today’s price. Email [email protected] or call 312-880-8174.
Send photos for today's price.
Clear photos and an honest description are all it takes. Based in Chicago, buying nationwide — send photos, get today's offer, and we will arrange pickup or shipping.