The question of how much copper is contained in a refrigerator compressor often arises among those who plan to sell old household appliances for scrap or are engaged in professional repair of air conditioners system. Compressor is the heart of any refrigeration unit, and it is in its motor windings that the main volume of non-ferrous metal is concentrated. However, the exact amount of copper directly depends on the power of the motor, the year of manufacture of the device and the manufacturer of the components.
The average household refrigerator contains from 100 to 250 grams of pure copper in its compressor. This value may vary depending on whether a particular instance uses aluminum instead of copper or uses a combination winding. Weight The compressor assembly itself usually ranges from 8 to 12 kilograms, but copper takes up only a small, albeit most valuable, part of this mass.
For those considering leasing equipment as a business, it is important to understand that metal extraction requires specific equipment and skills. Simply breaking the housing with a hammer is ineffective and dangerous, since there may be oil under pressure inside. The highest yield of copper is given by a Soviet-made motor-compressor, where compromise alloys were rarely used. Modern models are often designed taking into account saving resources, which reduces the content of precious metals.
Factors influencing the content copper
The amount of non-ferrous metal in the unit is not a fixed constant and depends on several technical parameters. First of all, this is power the engine: the more liters the refrigerator must cool, the more massive the windings and thicker the wire. Old Soviet models, such as "ZIL" or "Biryusa" of the early years of production, were famous for their maintainability and the use of high-quality materials, so the copper yield from them is maximum.
The second important factor is the winding technology. In modern energy-efficient models, manufacturers often replace pure copper with aluminum or bimetallic wire (copper-plated aluminum). This is done to reduce the cost of the final product and reduce the weight of the unit. It is almost impossible to determine the winding material visually without opening the case or using specialized resistance testers.
⚠️ Attention: When trying to determine the type of metal by weighing, remember that aluminum windings are much lighter than copper windings for the same volume, but have worse thermal conductivity and service life. You should not rely solely on the weight of the compressor to assess its internal contents.
The type of compressor also affects the metal output. Piston models, which are standard for 90% of refrigerators, have a classic design with a heavy stator. Inverter compressors, which are gaining popularity in the premium segment, may have a different motor architecture, which changes the ratio of the mass of copper to the total mass of the unit. Tightness The housing does not allow you to look inside, so all estimates are based on statistics from the disassembly of similar models.
Table: copper content in popular models
For the convenience of assessing the potential profit from the delivery of scrap, a summary table has been compiled. The data is averaged based on the practical experience of metal collection points and service centers. It is worth considering that the actual weight may differ by 10-15% in one direction or another depending on the specific modification.
| Model / Type of compressor | Total compressor weight (kg) | Approximate weight of copper (g) | Type windings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet (AT-100, FC-1.5) | 10.5 - 12.0 | 200 - 250 | Copper |
| Danfoss / Secop (SC10, SC12) | 9.0 - 10.0 | 140 - 180 | Copper |
| LG, Samsung (standard) | 8.5 - 9.5 | 100 - 140 | Copper/Aluminium |
| Budget Chinese analogues | 7.5 - 8.5 | 60 - 90 | Aluminium |
As can be seen from the table, old units are much “richer” in non-ferrous metal. Modern budget solutions often hide aluminum inside, which at collection points is priced at the "mix" tariff or as scrap electric motors, which is significantly cheaper than pure copper. Price scrap constantly fluctuates, so before handing over it makes sense to check the current prices.
Why manufacturers are switching to aluminum?
Aluminum is about 3-4 times cheaper than copper and much lighter. This allows us to reduce production costs and transportation costs. However, aluminum conducts current less well and is more prone to oxidation at contact points, which requires special measures during repairs.
The process of extracting copper from a compressor
Extracting copper from a hermetic compressor is a labor-intensive and dirty process that is rarely justified for a single product. To get to the windings stator, you need to open the steel case. Usually, an angle grinder (grinder) or a powerful chisel is used for this, since the housing is welded or soldered.
After opening the housing, a “glass” becomes visible, inside of which there is an engine immersed in oil. The next stage is dismantling the shaft and rotor. The windings are wound on the core plates, and in order to remove them, you often have to drill out one side of the plate package or cut through the frontal parts of the winding. Tools must be sharp and strong, since the wire can be impregnated with varnish and have high strength.
☑️ What is needed to disassemble the compressor
An important step is draining the oil. The compressor may contain from 200 to 400 ml mineral or synthetic oil, which is a toxic waste. It should be drained into a special container, and not into the sewer or onto the ground. After removing the oil and opening the housing, the copper is separated from the iron, insulation and varnish.
⚠️ Attention: When sawing the compressor housing, be sure to use a respirator. There may be a refrigerant inside (freon), which, when in contact with an open flame or spark from an angle grinder, forms toxic compounds, including phosgene. Work should be carried out only in the open air.
Economic feasibility and scrap prices
Is the game worth the candle? If we consider copper mining as a way to make money, then one refrigerator will bring insignificant profit. The cost of non-ferrous metal at collection points varies, but pure copper (shine) is highly valued, and insulated or burnt wire is cheaper. Output pure metal after cleaning from varnish and insulation will amount to about 70-80% of the weight of the removed winding.
For comparison: if in compressor 150 grams of copper, then even at a high tariff this will be a small amount. It is much more profitable to hand over the entire compressor to the “electric motor” or “mix” category, where labor-intensive disassembly is not required. Reception points often do the cutting themselves or have industrial shredders for this.
The market for recycled materials dictates its own conditions. During periods of rising prices for raw materials, the difference between delivery in disassembled and unassembled form may become noticeable. However, for a home craftsman, the environmental component and proper disposal are more important than the meager financial gain. Large processors make a profit due to scale, processing tons of equipment per day. wastethan meager financial_gain. Large recyclers profit from scale, processing tons of equipment per day.
Safety when working with refrigeration equipment units
Working with compressors carries certain risks that should not be forgotten. In addition to the mentioned freon, the danger is represented by high pressure, which can remain in the system even after a long period of inactivity. Before starting any work on dismantling you must make sure that the refrigerant has been released.
The oil contained in the compressor in older models (manufactured before the 1990s) may contain polychlorinated biphenyls or other harmful additives. Contact with skin or inhalation of vapors during heating is extremely undesirable. Use protective gloves goggles.
It is also worth remembering the risk of electric shock when checking the integrity of the windings if the compressor is connected to the network. All diagnostic and disassembly work must be carried out with the power completely turned off. Safety is the number one priority when disposing of any electrical equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to burn insulation from wires to clean copper on an open fire. When varnish coating and plastic insulation burn, carcinogenic substances are released that pollute the atmosphere and are harmful to your health.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to determine the presence of copper without opening the compressor?
It is impossible to accurately determine the amount of copper, but you can indirectly estimate the winding material. Copper compressors are usually heavier than aluminum equivalents of the same power. Copper also has a characteristic reddish color on the cut of the wire, if it is visible on the contact terminals, but more often they are tinned or varnished.
How much does copper weigh in a Soviet refrigerator?
In Soviet refrigerators (ZIL, Saratov, Minsk), the copper content in the compressor can reach 250 grams This is due to the use of pure electrical copper without saving material, which was typical for the industry of that time.
Do compressors accept non-ferrous metals for scrap?
Yes, most collection points accept compressors. They may be classified as "motor scrap", "mix" or "sealed units". The price per kilogram in this form will be lower than for pure cut copper, but higher than for ferrous scrap.
Is compressor oil harmful to the environment?
Yes, used compressor oil contains metal wear products, possibly freon impurities and chemical additives. It is prohibited to pour it into the soil or sewer. Hand over the oil along with the metal casing into special containers at collection points.
Are there other valuable metals in the compressor?
Copper is the main value. The contact groups may contain silver, but in microscopic quantities that are not of interest for extraction. The steel from which the body is made is classified as black scrap and is much cheaper.