The question of how much copper is in a refrigerator motor arises among many owners of old equipment when planning disposal or delivery of non-ferrous scrap. Often on the Internet you can find inflated expectations based on myths about “pure copper” inside the case. The reality is dictated by the design features of hermetic compressors, where the main volume is occupied by a steel shell and oil.
The weight of useful non-ferrous metal directly depends on the power of the device, the year of manufacture and, what is critically important, on the type of windings. Modern energy-efficient models can contain significantly less precious metal compared to Soviet heavy units. Understanding these nuances will help you avoid disappointment when weighing and correctly assess the potential profit from scrap delivery.
Compressor design and distribution of metals
A hermetic compressor, which in everyday life is called a motor, is a complex unit where copper is only part of the total mass. The bulk of the weight is made up of a steel housing made of thick sheet metal and massive laminated stator plates. It is steel that creates the characteristic weight of the device, which can reach 10-12 kg, but there is much less non-ferrous metal there.
Copper in the design is used to create stator windings, which form an electromagnetic field for rotor rotation. Unlike open motors, here the winding is tightly hidden inside a sealed “pan”, which makes it impossible to remove it without destroying the housing. The number of turns and the thickness of the wire vary depending on rated power and the required refrigerant.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to disassemble the compressor with a grinder or hacksaw in a garage without following safety precautions can lead to injury from metal fragments and small chips in the eyes. Use safety glasses and gloves.
It is important to note that there is also oil inside, which saturates the windings and serves to lubricate the rubbing pairs. When heated during operation or when cutting the housing, oil can flow out, reducing the overall weight, but without affecting the weight of the copper itself. Some unscrupulous receivers may try to subtract the weight of residual oil from the weight of scrap, so dry weight copper is the only objective indicator.
Factors influencing the yield of non-ferrous metal
There is no single figure that would be suitable for all motors. The weight of copper in a refrigerator compressor depends on many engineering decisions made by the manufacturer. First of all, this is an energy efficiency class: older models required more turns and thicker wire to create the required force, while modern inverter motors are optimized to minimize losses and material consumption.
The second critical factor is the geographical origin of the equipment. Soviet and early post-Soviet refrigerators (ZIL, Biryusa, Atlant) were famous for their maintainability and the use of a large amount of non-ferrous metals. Imported equipment, especially the budget segment of the last 10-15 years, often has thinner windings or uses alternative alloys to reduce costs.
- 🏭 Year of manufacture: Equipment of the 80-90s contains more copper than analogues of the 2010-2020s.
- 🌍 Country of origin: European and Soviet engines are often “richer” in metal content than some Asian budget models.
- ❄️ Refrigerant type: Compressors for R134a and R600a may differ in winding design and power, which affects the weight of the winding.
It is also worth considering the condition of the unit itself. If the compressor has been in operation for a long time, the winding may have undergone thermal aging, but this does not change its mass. However, if the motor was “rewinded” in a homemade way (which is rare, but found in old equipment), the quantity and quality of copper may differ significantly from the factory parameters.
Average weight of copper in different types of compressors
The practice of scrap delivery and data from processing plants allow us to form average copper yield values. It is worth understanding that we are talking specifically about the mass of the cleaned winding, which can be obtained after complete burning or mechanical removal. The table below shows indicative data for the most common types of household compressors.
| Compressor type | Total weight (kg) | Weight of copper in winding (kg) | Percentage of output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet (KhK, KhKN) | 10.0 - 12.0 | 1.0 - 1.4 | ~10-12% |
| Atlant / Biryusa (90s) | 9.5 - 10.5 | 0.8 - 1.1 | ~9-10% |
| Modern (LG, Samsung) | 8.5 - 9.5 | 0.5 - 0.7 | ~6-8% |
| Low-power (mini-bars) | 4.0 - 5.0 | 0.2 - 0.3 | ~5% |
As can be seen from the table, even in the best case copper makes up no more than 10-12% of the total mass of the device. The bulk are ferrous metals (steel and cast iron), which are much cheaper. That is why handing over compressors as “mix” or “heavy steel” is often less profitable than separating them, although the separation process is labor-intensive.
Extraction and processing technology scrap
Obtaining copper from a motor is a labor-intensive process that is carried out on an industrial scale on specialized lines. At home, enthusiasts use several methods, each of which has its pros and cons. The most common is mechanical opening of the case and then pulling out the core.
To do this, you need to cut off the top and bottom covers of the case using an angle grinder (grinder). After opening, the stator with winding becomes visible. Often the copper wire is tightly filled with varnish and clamped in the grooves of the core, which makes it difficult to remove it in its pure form. You have to either burn off the varnish (which worsens the environmental situation and the quality of the copper) or chop the core with an ax to free the coils.
Why can’t you just burn the entire compressor?
Burning the entire compressor on a fire is a bad idea. There is oil inside, which when burned will produce black toxic smoke, and the sealed housing can burst like a bomb due to the vapor pressure. In addition, the steel shell will not burn, and you will simply contaminate the area.
There is also a method of chemical etching, but it is practically not used in everyday life due to the complexity and danger of the reagents. The main method for private owners is careful cutting.
Economic feasibility and cost of the issue
Is the game worth the candle? To answer this question, it is necessary to carry out simple mathematical calculations based on current prices for non-ferrous scrap metals. The price of copper (M1, M2) is traditionally high, but the amount of copper in one motor is small. If you have one old refrigerator, the profit will be symbolic, barely covering the cost of gasoline to the collection point.
The situation changes if you are recycling professionally or have accumulated a batch of dozens of units. In this case, the total yield of copper can be several kilograms, which is already of interest. However, it is necessary to take into account the depreciation of the tool (discs for grinders dull on steel very quickly) and time costs.
- 💰 Copper price: Depends on stock exchange quotes and the point of collection, usually this is the most expensive component of scrap.
- 🔩 Case price: Steel from the compressor is accepted as dimensional scrap or heavy steel at a much lower price price.
- ⏱️ Time consumption: High-quality cutting of one motor can take from 20 to 40 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Metal collection points often underestimate the category of copper from compressors, classifying it as a “burner” or “mix” if the wire has traces of carbon deposits or varnish. Clean, shiny copper without insulation is more valuable.
Safety and environmental aspects of disposal
Recycling of refrigeration equipment is not only a matter of making a profit, but also a responsibility to the environment. Old Soviet refrigerators and models from the 90s used R12 freon as a refrigerant, which destroys the ozone layer. Newer models use R134a or isobutane R600a. Isobutane is explosive, so any cutting work must be carried out with extreme caution.
The oil contained in the compressor is a petroleum product and should not enter the soil or sewer system. It must be collected in a separate container and delivered to special waste oil collection points. Pouring it onto the ground is strictly prohibited.
☑️ Rules for safe cutting
In addition, when burning wire insulation (if you decide to clean copper with fire), toxic substances are released. Modern insulation may contain halogens, the vapors of which are hazardous to breathe. Therefore, a “black sky” over the garage is not a sign of good work, but a signal of a violation of environmental standards.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to determine the amount of copper by the marking on the nameplate?
It is impossible to determine the exact amount of copper by marking. The marking (for example, NK 1050 or TLX 4581) indicates the model, power and type of refrigerant, but does not contain data on the mass of the winding. You can only indirectly judge by power: the higher it is, the more copper there is, as a rule, in the stator.
Does the presence of oil affect the weight when handing over scrap?
Yes, it does. Metal collection centers often weigh compressors and may deduct a percentage for “contamination” or oil if it leaks. In addition, oil makes the unit heavier, but is not a non-ferrous metal, so its presence is not economically profitable when selling copper.
Is there aluminum instead of copper in the compressor?
In the vast majority of refrigeration compressors, the windings are made of copper, since aluminum has poorer conductivity and requires a larger cross-section, which is difficult to fit into the dimensions household motor. However, in some very cheap or specific industrial models, bimetallic wires or alloys may be found, but this is rare for household appliances.
Where is it better to hand over the compressor: whole or stripped?
It is more economically profitable to hand over the cut metal (copper separately, steel separately), but only if you have a large batch. For one or two compressors, the difference in price will not cover the cost of time and tools. Whole compressors are often accepted as “mix” or heavy scrap at an average price.