The question of how much copper is contained in compressor, is often asked not only by household appliance repair technicians, but also by those involved in recycling recyclable materials. Refrigeration compressor, or in common parlance the “engine”, is a complex sealed device, inside which valuable non-ferrous metals are hidden. The main value here is precisely the electric motor winding, made of pure cuprum (copper).
However, to gain access to this resource, it is not enough to simply break the housing with a sledgehammer, as beginners often do. This barbaric method is not only dangerous, but also economically unfeasible, as it contaminates the metal with oil and steel filings, reducing its purchase price. Sealed casing hides the stator, rotor and valve group inside, and access to them requires a consistent and careful approach.
In this In this article we will analyze in detail what the yield of metal depends on, what methods exist for opening the case and what is the real profitability of such work. You will learn why the weight of the finished product and the weight of the resulting copper can differ significantly, and what tools are really necessary for effective processing.
Compressor design and distribution of metals
To understand exactly where the copper is located, you need to consider the internal structure of the unit. A standard piston compressor consists of two main parts: an electric motor and a mechanical compressor group. The electric motor, which is of interest for the extraction of non-ferrous metals, is located in the lower part of the housing and is immersed in oil for cooling and lubrication.
The main volume is occupied by stator the stationary part of the engine on which the coils are wound. It is in them that the desired copper is contained. The rotor rotating inside the stator is made of laminated electrical steel (steel) and does not contain copper, although visually it may resemble a copper “barrel” due to short-circuited rings, which are often made of aluminum or brass in modern models.
⚠️ Attention: Inside the compressor housing there is compressor oil, which may contain decomposition products refrigerant. When opening, avoid contact of the liquid with the skin and do not allow it to enter the sewer or soil.
The weight of the compressor itself varies depending on the model and manufacturer. Household units from brands Atlant, Indesit or Beko usually weigh from 9 to 12 kg. However, copper makes up only about 10-15% of this mass. The rest of the weight is the heavy steel of the body, cast iron counterweights and steel core plates.
Factors affecting copper yield
You should not expect that the same amount of precious scrap will be obtained from each “engine”. There are several key factors that directly affect the final weight of the mined metal. First of all, this is the year of manufacture and the energy efficiency class of the device.
Old Soviet refrigerators, such as ZIL or Saratov, were equipped with compressors with a large margin of safety and massive windings. They used predominantly pure copper. Modern units, especially those produced after 2010, often sin by using aluminum wires copper-coated (so-called “copper-plated aluminum”) or even pure aluminum in the windings.
The type of engine is also important. Inverter compressors, which are now becoming standard, have a different design and often lower copper content compared to classic linear models. In addition, the condition of the device plays a role: if the compressor is burned out, the winding may be partially melted or contaminated, which will complicate its removal and cleaning.
Here are the main parameters that determine the amount of copper:
- 🔹 Engine power: the more powerful the unit (for example, for two-chamber No Frost refrigerators), the more turns and thicker the wire.
- 🔹 Manufacturer: European and Japanese brands (Electrolux, Panasonicmore often use high-quality materials, while in budget Chinese analogues the savings on metal are immediately noticeable.
- 🔹 Year of manufacture: devices of the 80-90s years contain more copper than models of the 2020s.
Methods for extracting copper from the stator
There are several ways to extract copper from the stator, and the choice of method depends on what is more important to you: speed, preservation of the metal, or safety. The simplest, but least effective method is to saw out one side of the winding and knock out the wire. However, it rarely gives a good result, since the wire breaks and gets tangled.
A more professional approach involves using an angle grinder (angle grinder). With its help, they carefully cut off the “back” of the stator on one side, trying not to damage the turns themselves. The stator is then heated in a furnace or burned with a blowtorch to burn off the varnish covering the wire, and then the copper tufts are knocked out. This method allows you to maintain the length of the wire and its cleanliness.
Sequence of actions:1. Cut off the end cap with a grinder.
2. Remove the stator from the casing.
3. Cut off the winding on one side of the stator.
4. Heat the stator to 300-400°C.
5. Knock out the copper with a hammer or press.
The third method is a chemical or thermal “cocktail”, when the body is simply burned through a fire. This is the worst option: copper oxidizes, becomes covered with soot, and loses weight and price. In addition, when insulation burns, toxic substances are released. To obtain Category A metal (the most expensive), pure, non-oxidized copper is required.
Weight table: expectation versus reality
Many people mistakenly believe that if the compressor weighs 10 kg, then there will be at least half of copper there. This is a dangerous misconception that leads to disappointment when weighing your prey. The actual yield of useful metal is much more modest.
Below is a table showing the approximate ratio of compressor weight to copper yield for various popular models. The data are averaged, since designs may differ depending on the year of manufacture.
| Compressor model | Total weight (kg) | Stator weight (kg) | Copper output (kg) | % of the total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlant SKN-100 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 0.9 - 1.1 | ~10% |
| Indesit CBI | 9.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 - 1.0 | ~9% |
| LG MA | 11.2 | 3.1 | 1.2 - 1.4 | ~11% |
| Danfoss NL | 10.0 | 2.6 | 0.9 - 1.1 | ~10% |
As can be seen from the table, even from a large ten-kilogram unit you will only get about a kilogram of copper. This is explained by the fact that the bulk consists of a steel “can”, oil and a heavy mechanical compression unit, which does not contain non-ferrous metals in significant quantities.
Economic feasibility and risks
Is the game worth the candle? If we consider copper mining as a business project, then we need to take into account not only the market value of scrap, but also the costs of electricity, tools and, most importantly, time. One compressor in capable hands can be disassembled in 15-20 minutes, but if you use primitive methods, the process can take an hour.
In addition, there is a risk of running into a “counterfeit”. In recent years, motors in which the copper winding has been replaced with aluminumare often found on the recycled market. Visually, especially if the wire is varnished or sprayed, it is difficult to distinguish them. But when cut, aluminum has a matte white color, while copper is pinkish-red.
⚠️ Attention: When insulation is burned from wires, caustic smoke containing dioxins and other carcinogens is released. Work must be carried out only in the open air using a respirator and away from residential buildings.
If you plan to hand over copper to collection points, remember that the price for “burnt copper” (burnt copper) is always lower than for “shine” (clean, not oxidized). Therefore, heat treatment should be minimal and controlled, removing varnish, and not completely firing.
☑️ Ready for disassembly
Safety during disassembly
Working with metal and power tools is always fraught with risks, but in the case of compressors, there is also the factor of high pressure (although it is no longer present in older units) and chemicals. The first step is to remove the refrigerant. In old models it could be freon, in new ones it could be isobutane, which is explosive.
Before sawing the body, you need to cut through the copper tubes. This should be done in a well-ventilated area. If you hear a hissing sound, it means there is still gas inside. Let it come out completely. Also, do not forget that there is oil inside, which can ignite when heated.
Using an angle grinder requires strict adherence to the rules:
- 🛡️ Be sure to use safety glasses —sparks and metal shavings fly in all directions.
- 🧤 Thick gloves will protect your hands from the sharp edges of sawn metal.
- 🔥 Have a fire extinguisher or a container of sand on hand in case of an oil fire.
Do not try to disassemble the compressor by simply punching it body with a crowbar. Shards of metal and springs can fly with great force, causing injury. Careful cutting is the only safe way.
What to do with aluminum windings?
If you find that there is aluminum inside, do not mix it with copper. Hand over separately as “mix” or “aluminum”, otherwise you may be accused of trying to deceive when handing over, which can lead to a conflict with the receiver.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to determine the amount of copper by the sound when shaking?
No, it is myth. The sound depends on how tightly the internal mechanism is fastened and whether there are any backlashes, but does not indicate the material of the winding. The exact answer will only be given by weighing after extraction or using a neodymium magnet (copper is not magnetic, but neither is aluminum, so the method is not reliable).
How much does 1 kg of copper from a compressor cost in 2026-2026?
The price of copper scrap constantly fluctuates (fluctuates) and depends on the exchange quotes. At the time of writing, the price for “gloss” is approximately 600-700 rubles per kg, but you need to find out the exact figure at the nearest scrap metal collection point, since tariffs change weekly.
Does it make sense to disassemble the compressor in order to sell it intact?
Often there is no. A whole compressor is sold as an “electric motor” or “heavy scrap”, the price of which is significantly lower than for pure copper. However, if you don't have the tools to safely disassemble, selling it entirely may be a less hassle-free option.
Is burning insulation on wires harmful?
Yes, it is extremely harmful. When varnish insulation and plastic elements burn, toxic substances are released. In addition, copper becomes brittle and loses its properties