The question of how much copper is contained in a refrigerator compressor often arises among those who plan to sell equipment for scrap or are engaged in professional repair of household appliances. Motor-compressor is the heart of the refrigeration unit, and it is in its windings that the main supply of non-ferrous metal is hidden. However, it is impossible to get an exact figure “on the fly”, since the amount of copper directly depends on the device model, year of manufacture and manufacturer.
The average weight of a compressor varies from 8 to 12 kilograms, but copper makes up only a part of this mass. The main share is occupied by steel and cast iron, from which the body and mechanical components are made. For those assessing the potential income from scrap delivery, it is important to understand that the yield of pure metal after cutting will be significantly less than the total weight of the part.
In modern realities, prices for non-ferrous scrap can significantly influence the feasibility of self-disassembly. Before you begin dismantling, it is worth weighing the pros and cons, taking into account the laboriousness of the process and the necessary tools. In this article, we will analyze the design of the compressor in detail and calculate the approximate copper output.
⚠️ Attention: Internal pressure in the refrigerator system can persist even after many years of inactivity. Before starting any disassembly work, you must ensure that the refrigerant is completely vented and the tubes are carefully opened in a ventilated area.
The copper content of the device is not a fixed constant, but a variable value. It depends on the winding technology and the power of the electric motor. Old Soviet models often contained more metal in the windings, while modern ones inverter compressors can be optimized in terms of the weight and volume of materials used.
Design features and composition of the compressor
To understand where copper comes from, you need look inside sealed casing. The compressor consists of two main parts: an electric motor and a mechanical compressor group. It is in the electrical part, and specifically in the stator, that there are windings made of copper wire.
The mechanical part, including pistons, cylinders and valves, mainly consists of steel, cast iron and aluminum alloys. Copper tubes, suitable for the housing, also have weight, but it is incommensurate with the mass of the windings. When disassembling, it is important not to damage the windings if the goal is to obtain the longest and cleanest wire possible.
Modern models may have aluminum windings instead of copper, which significantly reduces their cost when scrapped. You can identify the material visually: copper has a characteristic reddish-golden hue when cut, while aluminum is silvery-white. Copper is also heavier and softer.
- 🔌 Stator —the stationary part of the engine, containing the bulk of the copper wire.
- 🔄 Rotor —the rotating part, made of electrical steel plates; there is practically no copper here.
- ⚙️ Mechanical unit —piston group, where copper can only be found in the form of bushings or solder.
Why is there little copper in some compressors?
Modern manufacturers strive to minimize the weight and cost of equipment. Using aluminum in windings or reducing wire cross-section while maintaining power through new alloys is a common practice. In addition, in very old models, the wire insulation could be more massive, which visually increased the volume, but not the amount of metal.
How much copper can be obtained: calculations and statistics
When starting calculations, it is worth relying on average indicators obtained experimentally when cutting various models. On average, copper in a refrigerator compressor contains from 10% to 15% of the total mass of the device. The rest is ferrous metal and oil.
For example, if the compressor weighs 10 kg, then the yield of pure copper after complete cutting and removal of insulation can be approximately 1–1.5 kg. However, if you hand over the windings together with varnish and insulation, the weight will be greater, but the price per kilogram of such scrap is lower.
It is important to consider that metal yield depends on the extraction method. Careful pressing of the stator allows you to keep the wire intact, which is more valuable. Cutting the body with an ax often leads to mixing copper with iron shavings, which requires additional cleaning.
Below is a table showing the approximate ratio of compressor weight and copper content in popular models.
| Model / Type | Total weight (kg) | Copper weight (approx.) | Percentage output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlant (old) | 11.5 | 1.6 kg | ~14% |
| Danfoss (medium) | 9.8 | 1.2 kg | ~12% |
| LG (inverter) | 10.2 | 0.9 kg | ~9% |
| Soviet Biryusa | 13.0 | 2.1 kg | ~16% |
The data in the table are averaged. The actual yield may differ depending on the specific series and year of production. Soviet compressors Often made with a large margin of strength and metal, while modern analogues (strive to) save resources.
Disassembly technology for copper extraction
Mining process copper begins with removing the compressor from the refrigerator cabinet. To do this, you will need to cut through the copper tubes and unscrew the mounting bolts. Next comes the most labor-intensive stage - opening the sealed case.
There are several methods of opening. The safest, but longest, is to use an angle grinder (grinder) with a metal disc. It is necessary to make a neat cut along the perimeter of the weld seam of the body. Intrinsic safety This is critical here, since oil vapors may remain inside.
The second method, often used in artisanal conditions, is punching the body with a chisel or drilling many holes. This is faster, but increases the risk of damaging the stator windings. After opening the case, it is necessary to remove the internal “filling”.
☑️ Tools for disassembly
After removing the core, you need to disconnect the stator from the mechanical part. They are usually bolted or pressed together. By separating the electrical part, you gain access to the windings. To extract copper, you often have to burn out the insulation or cut out one side of the coils and pull out the wire.
⚠️ Attention: When you burn out the insulation (which is highly discouraged due to toxicity) or mechanical damage to the wire, harmful substances are released. Work should be carried out outdoors using a respirator.
The influence of the type of refrigerant on the design
The type of refrigerant for which the compressor is designed indirectly affects its design and, therefore, the amount of materials used. Older models operating on freon R12often had more massive housings and windings.
Modern units using R600a (isobutane)require special intrinsic safety, since this gas is explosive. This leads to changes in the electrical part: the introduction of special starting relays and protective devices, which also contain a small amount of copper and precious metals in the contacts.
The difference in the weight of copper between models for different refrigerants is small, but it is there. Compressors for R600a are often more compact and lighter, which automatically reduces the absolute amount of copper in the windings, although the percentage may remain similar.
Economic feasibility of disassembly
Is the game worth the candle? This is the main question to ask yourself before starting work. The price of copper scrap fluctuates (fluctuates), but on average it is high. However, the labor required to disassemble one compressor can take from 30 minutes to an hour.
If you plan to disassemble one refrigerator for the sake of 1–1.5 kg of copper, the profit will be symbolic. Economic sense appears when processing batches of 10–20 pieces of equipment or in the presence of automated equipment for cutting.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the depreciation of the tool (discs for an angle grinder, electricity) and health risks. Ferrous metalthat remains after disassembly can also be returned, but its price is much lower, which only partially compensates for the efforts.
For individuals who are not involved in this business, it is often more profitable to hand over the entire refrigerator to collection points for household appliances or use a collection service, saving time and effort. Professionals squeeze the maximum out of each unit.
Safety and environmental aspects
Disassembling a compressor is not only physical labor, but also working with potentially hazardous substances. Inside the case there is compressor oilwhich may be harmful if burned or comes into contact with skin. Under no circumstances should it be poured down the drain or onto the ground.
Collected oil should be poured into a separate container and delivered to special collection points for waste petroleum products. Also, when sawing the body, metal dust and shavings are formed that require disposal.
Do not forget about physical safety. The compressor housing is energized until the electrical circuit is completely disassembled (although when disconnected from the network, the risk is minimal; capacitors can retain a charge). Working with an angle grinder requires the mandatory use of safety glasses and thick clothing.
⚠️ Attention: Laws on waste disposal may change. Before organizing a collection point or regularly handing over scrap, check with the current requirements of local environmental services and licenses of scrap metal collection points.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to determine the amount of copper by the marking of the compressor?
The exact amount of copper cannot be determined by the marking. Markings (for example, TL43GG or NK9191G) indicate the manufacturer, power, type of refrigerant and volume, but not the weight of the windings. For accurate data, you need technical specifications from the manufacturer, which are rarely publicly available.
Is there gold or silver in the compressor?
There are practically no precious metals in the compressor (motor) itself. However, the starting relay and thermal protection, which are attached externally to the contact group, may contain microdoses of silver in the contacts. Gold is not used in household refrigeration compressors.
What to do with freon residues during disassembly?
Freon must be removed from the system before cutting metal. In industrial conditions, it is pumped out into special cylinders. At home, when disassembling for scrap, the remains are usually simply dumped, which is not environmentally friendly, but is often practiced. The main thing is not to heat the sealed tubes with freon.
Why does the weight of a compressor differ from the weight of copper?
A compressor is a complex unit where copper only serves as a current conductor. The bulk (up to 85-90%) consists of a steel body, stator plates, rotor, shaft, piston and cylinder, as well as oil. Copper is only a small, albeit expensive, part of the structure.