The question of how much copper is contained in a refrigerator compressor most often arises in two situations: when planning delivery household appliances for scrap or during major repairs requiring replacement of windings. It’s immediately worth noting that the exact figure depends on many factors, including the year of manufacture of the unit, the country of origin and, most importantly, the type of refrigerant used. Old Soviet models differ significantly in internal structure from modern inverter systems.
The average compressor of a household refrigerator contains from 300 to 500 grams of pure copper. However, this figure is an average and does not take into account the weight of the steel body, oil and freon itself. For those who consider technology as a source of non-ferrous metal, it is important to understand the difference between the weight of the compressor itself and the weight of useful raw materials that can be extracted.
In modern conditions, environmental standards dictate their own rules, forcing manufacturers to optimize the consumption of materials. This has led to the fact that in new models the amount of copper may be less than in the “old-timers” of the late 20th century. Efficiency modern engines are achieved not so much by the mass of the windings, but by the quality of insulation and core geometry.
⚠️ Attention: Removing copper from the compressor in at home requires opening the sealed case, which often leads to depressurization of the system and the release of residual oil. If your goal is repair and not recycling, such actions are categorically inappropriate.
Compressor design and metal distribution
To understand where copper comes from, you need to look inside sealed casing. The compressor is a complex electromechanical unit where electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy. The main consumer of copper here is the stator of the electric motor. It is on it that the winding is wound, creating a magnetic field for rotor rotation.
In addition to the stator windings, copper is used in connecting wires and starting relays (in models with an asynchronous motor). In some older designs, copper tubes could be used to supply refrigerant, but in the vast majority of household refrigerators, steel or aluminum is used for this, since they are cheaper and easier to process.
Inside the case there is also oil that lubricates the rubbing pairs. The weight of this oil can range from 200 to 400 grams, which significantly affects the overall weight of the assembly, but has nothing to do with the content of non-ferrous metals. When assessing scrap, it is necessary to make allowances for this technical fluid.
Factors affecting the weight of copper
The amount of copper in refrigerator compressor is not constant. There are several key parameters that directly determine how much precious metal will be at your disposal after disassembly.
The first and most important factor is power the compressor. Large-volume refrigerators, designed to store a significant amount of food or having two chambers, are equipped with more powerful motors. Accordingly, their stator winding is thicker and longer, which increases the copper content.
The second factor is the era of production. Equipment produced in the 70-80s of the last century was often manufactured with a large margin of safety and used resources less economically. Modern standards energy efficiency require minimizing losses, which is sometimes achieved through the use of higher quality, but less voluminous materials.
It is also worth considering the type of engine. Inverter compressors, which are becoming standard in the premium segment, may have a different winding design. They operate at high frequencies, which allows the use of less copper to achieve the same cooling performance compared to classic models.
Comparison of old and modern models
The difference between the Soviet Biryusa and the modern Samsung or Liebherr is colossal not only in functionality, but and in the “stuffing”. Old compressors often weighed 10-12 kg, a significant portion of which was steel and copper. Modern analogues are 30-40% lighter.
Older models used predominantly pure copper wire with reliable varnish insulation. In modern analogues, manufacturers can use composite materials or alloys coated with copper to reduce cost and weight. This makes the processing of such engines less profitable in terms of the yield of pure metal.
⚠️ Attention: When disassembling modern compressors, you may find that the wires inside the windings do not have the characteristic red color, but a silver or yellowish tint. This may indicate the use of aluminum or copper-plated aluminum, which has much lower value at the receiving point.
However, even in newer models, copper remains the main conductive material due to its superior electrical conductivity. It has not yet been possible to completely replace it, but engineers are constantly working to reduce its quantity without losing characteristics.
Why is there less copper in new refrigerators?
Modern technologies make it possible to create more compact magnetic systems and use steels with high magnetic permeability. This reduces the dimensions of the stator and, consequently, the length of the required winding.
Table of copper content in compressors
For clarity, we provide approximate data on the copper content in various types of compressors. It should be remembered that these are averaged values obtained empirically when disposing of equipment.
| Compressor type | Years of production | Total weight (kg) | Copper (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet (for example, FK-1, FK-2) | 1960-1985 | 10-12 | 450-600 |
| Post-Soviet / Early import | 1990-2005 | 8-10 | 350-450 |
| Modern (standard) | 2010-2020 | 6-8 | 250-350 |
| Inverter / Mini compressor | 2015-present | 4-6 | 150-250 |
The table shows that the trend towards weight loss and a decrease in the amount of copper is clearly visible. However, even 200-300 grams of copper is a valuable resource that can be recycled.
It is also worth noting that the weight of the compressor itself may vary depending on the manufacturer. European brands often use more massive cases to reduce noise, while Asian manufacturers strive for maximum compactness.
Economic feasibility of extraction
Is the game worth the candle? If we consider the extraction of copper from one compressor as a business project, then the answer will be negative. The expenditure of time, tools and effort on disassembling the sealed case, removing the windings and cleaning the wire from insulation and varnish will not be worth it.
The process of extracting copper is labor-intensive. The winding sits tightly in the stator slots, often filled with varnish for better heat transfer and protection from vibration. To pull out copper, you need to either burn out the insulation (which is environmentally dirty and harmful to health), or use special machines for pulling out wires, which are available only at specialized enterprises.
The most rational way is to hand over the compressors to a scrap metal collection point entirely or in disassembled form (the housing separately, the “pancake” of the engine separately), if the receiver agrees to accept them at a higher price as electric motor. In this case, you will receive the average market price for non-ferrous scrap, taking into account the yield coefficient.
☑️ Assessment of the feasibility of disassembly
Safety precautions during disassembly
If you still make a decision disassemble the compressor, for example, for training purposes or for fun, strictly follow the safety rules. There may be compressed gas inside the case, even if the refrigerator has not been operating for a long time.
The first rule is never saw or drill the body without making sure there is no pressure. It is best to carefully cut off the top cover with a grinder or a hacksaw, having first securely secured the unit in a vice. It is necessary to work in protective glasses and gloves.
The second rule concerns oil. It may contain freon breakdown products and be toxic. Avoid contact of oil with skin and mucous membranes. After work, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dispose of rags in accordance with the rules for chemical waste.
⚠️ Attention: When heating the windings or housing, acrid smoke may be released from the combustion of varnish and insulation. Carry out work on disassembling and cleaning copper only in the open air or in a well-ventilated area using a respirator.
Remember that modern refrigerators may contain fire-resistant additives in plastic and insulation, which release dioxins when burned. Therefore, the method of “burning out” copper with a fire is not only barbaric, but also dangerous to health.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to determine the amount of copper by the weight of the compressor?
It is impossible to determine exactly, but there is an approximate relationship: copper makes up about 3-5% of the total mass of the compressor. The rest is steel, cast iron and oil.
Is there copper in the tubes coming out of the compressor?
In 95% of cases, the tubes coming out of the housing of a household compressor are made of steel. Copper tubes can be found in evaporators or condensers, but not in the motor-compressor itself.
Why is the price of copper from motors lower than for copper wire?
Because “motor” copper (winding) has a low yield of pure metal after processing due to the large amount of varnish, insulation and difficulty in cleaning. Receivers factor these losses into the price.
How many compressors do you need to get 1 kg of copper?
Depending on the model, you will need from 3 to 5 old heavy compressors or from 4 to 7 modern light models to get 1 kilogram of pure copper.
Is it harmful to store an old one? compressor at home?
If it is sealed and has no external damage, it is safe. However, residual oil may begin to leak through the seals over time, so it is better to store them in the garage or on the balcony, rather than in the living room.