The question of how much copper is contained in the compressor of an old refrigerator often arises among those who plan to scrap household appliances or are engaged in professional dismantling. Refrigerators that have failed are not just bulky waste, but a potential source of non-ferrous metals, the cost of which on the recycling market is much higher than the price of ferrous steel. However, in order to make a real profit, it is necessary to clearly understand the internal structure of the unit and the physical parameters of its components.
The main source of valuable metal is the electric motor located inside the sealed compressor casing. It is the stator and rotor windings, made of electrolytic copper, that are of greatest interest to receiving points. The weight of this metal directly depends on the power of the engine, the year of manufacture of the refrigerator and the manufacturer of the compressor. Soviet models, as a rule, are “heavier” and contain more metal compared to modern compact analogues.
It is worth considering that it is almost impossible to extract pure copper without special tools and skills, since the compressor is a sealed container. Therefore, when estimating weight, they most often talk about the mass of the compressor assembly or the weight of “dirty” copper together with the electric motor plates. Let's look in detail at what the amount of precious metal depends on and how to approximately calculate it.
Compressor design and sources of copper
To understand where copper comes from, you need to look inside sealed unit. The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system and is designed to be complex enough to easily extract materials. Inside the steel body there are two main components: the mechanical part (piston group) and the electrical part (electric motor). We are interested in the electrics.
The bulk of the copper is concentrated in the stator windings. These are coils wound on an electrical steel core. When the engine is running, current passes through them, creating a magnetic field. Older models used high purity copper for long life and good conductivity. Modern manufacturers sometimes replace copper with aluminum in cheap models, but in old Soviet and European refrigerators it is the non-ferrous metal that dominates. Inside the compressor there is oil, which can be toxic or simply heavily pollute the environment. When opening the casing (which is prohibited for ordinary users), take precautions and dispose of technical fluids correctly. non-ferrous metal.
⚠️ Attention: There is oil inside the compressor that can be toxic or simply pollute the environment. When opening the casing (which is prohibited for ordinary users), take precautions and dispose of technical fluids correctly.
In addition to the stator windings, a small amount of copper may be contained in the terminals and connecting wires that go out through the start-up relay. However, the main “score” is precisely the winding of the motor. The weight of copper makes up a significant portion of the total mass of the electrical unit, although in comparison with the steel body and core plates its volume visually appears smaller due to the high density of the material.
Weight of copper in old Soviet refrigerators
Soviet household appliances were famous for their reliability and, which is important for recyclers, for their high content of useful materials. Refrigerators of the brands ZIL, Biryusa, Minsk and Saratov, produced in the 60-80s, were equipped with compressors, which today are considered a real storehouse of non-ferrous metal. In that era, they did not save on materials, so the windings were made of thick copper wire.
On average, one compressor away from the Soviet refrigerator can contain from 1.2 to 2.5 kilograms of pure copper, if we consider only the winding wire. However, if you return the entire compressor, its weight will be significantly higher - from 8 to 12 kg. The main mass is steel, but the price upon delivery can be calculated according to the category "electric motor" or "copper in a casing", which is more expensive than ordinary scrap.
The amount of copper is affected by the type of compressor. Piston models, which were standard in the USSR, have more massive motors compared to modern linear or inverter systems. High inertia and safety margin required the use of a large amount of active substance in the windings.
Below is a table showing the approximate copper content of various types compressors found in older models:
| Compressor type | Approximate model | Compressor weight (kg) | Copper content (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston (USSR) | XK-27, FG-100 | 10 - 12 | 1.8 - 2.5 |
| Piston (Europe 80s) | Danfoss, Tecumseh | 9 - 11 | 1.2 - 1.8 |
| Sealed (China 90s) | QD35, QD45 | 7 - 9 | 0.6 - 1.0 |
| Linear (Modern) | LG Inverter | 6 - 8 | 0.4 - 0.8 |
Modern models and saving on materials
With the development of technology and the rise in prices of non-ferrous metals, manufacturers of household appliances began to actively look for ways to reduce costs. This has led to a reduction in the size of the compressors and, in some cases, to changes in the composition of the windings. In modern refrigerators, especially in the budget segment, you can find the use of Aluminum is lighter and cheaper, but has a shorter service life and a lower thermal conductivity coefficient. It is difficult to visually determine the presence of aluminum until you remove the insulation or make a cut. If you plan to hand over your equipment to extract copper, modern models may disappoint: the weight of useful metal in them can be 2-3 times less than in old “suitcases.” aluminum wire instead of copper
Aluminum is lighter and cheaper, but has a shorter service life and lower thermal conductivity. It is difficult to visually determine the presence of aluminum until you remove the insulation or make a cut. If you plan to hand over your equipment to extract copper, modern models may disappoint: the weight of useful metal in them can be 2-3 times less than in old “suitcases”.
Nevertheless, even in new units, copper has not completely disappeared. It is used in heat exchangers (condenser and evaporator), although even there manufacturers often switch to aluminum or steel. Premium compressors still use high-quality copper windings to ensure energy efficiency and quiet operation.
How to distinguish copper from aluminum without chemicals?
Copper has a characteristic reddish-pink hue when freshly cut, it is heavier and softer. Aluminum is silver, very light and when struck it produces a more ringing, high-pitched sound. Also, copper is not magnetic, but neither is aluminum, so a magnet will not help here, it is needed to exclude steel.
Extraction and processing technology
The process of obtaining copper from a compressor on an industrial scale and in garage conditions is very different. In specialized non-ferrous metal processing plants, the aggregates pass through crushers, after which the steel is separated from the copper using magnetic separation and air currents. At home, this method is not available.
Home craftsmen usually resort to radical measures: they cut off the top of the compressor with a grinder, remove the “insides” and burn out the windings to free them from varnish insulation and steel. This process is labor-intensive and dangerous. When burning insulation, caustic toxic substances are released, so this can only be done in special furnaces with filtration.
- 🔥 Burning: The fastest, but environmentally dirtiest method, which reduces the quality of copper due to oxidation.
- 🔨 Mechanical cleaning: Biting out the wire with wire cutters or knocking windings out of the grooves takes a long time, but preserves the quality of the metal.
- ⚗️ Chemical method: The use of acids to dissolve insulation requires professional knowledge and safety measures.
It is important to understand that when processing yourself, you lose weight due to insulation waste and possible metal oxidation. By handing over the entire compressor to a collection point, you pay for the work of the recyclers, but receive money immediately and without extra effort.
The influence of the type of refrigerant on the design
Few people think about it, but the type of freon used in the refrigerator indirectly affects the design of the compressor and, therefore, the amount of copper. Old refrigerators worked on Freon R12which required the use of mineral oils and had a certain chemical activity. Compressors for R12 often had a more massive body and powerful windings.
With the transition to Freon R134a and further to isobutane (R600a), the requirements for tightness and cleanliness of the system have increased. Compressors have become more compact, the geometry of the piston group has changed. However, the weight of the copper winding primarily depends on the engine power, which in turn depends on the volume of the fridge compartment, and not just on the type of gas.
However, there is a correlation: refrigerators with more powerful compressors (often found in large two-chamber models of the past) contain more copper. Small single-chamber refrigerators, even old ones, have less powerful engines and, accordingly, less non-ferrous metal.
Economic feasibility of disassembly
Is the gamble worth the candle? This is the main question that arises when you see a mountain of old refrigerators. Let's do the math. Let's say you have 10 old compressors. The total weight of copper can be about 15-20 kg. The price for scrap copper fluctuates (fluctuates), but it is always higher than for an assembled electric motor.
However, if you spend time disassembling, buying tools (grinder, chisels, hammer) and burning insulation, your “hourly wage” may be below the minimum. In addition, up to 10-15% of the metal mass is lost during combustion. From an economic point of view, it is more profitable to hand over compressors as is if you do not have access to free raw materials on an industrial scale.
⚠️ Attention: Some regions have strict rules for recycling household appliances. The delivery of compressors to private individuals without a license may be limited if they are classified as hazardous waste due to oil and freon residues.
For an ordinary person getting rid of one or two refrigerators, the most reasonable solution would be to call a specialized recycling service or hand over the entire equipment to a collection point. You will get less money than for pure copper, but you will save time and nerves.
☑️ What to do before handing over the refrigerator
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
How much exactly does the copper in the compressor from the ZIL refrigerator weigh?
V In Soviet-made ZIL refrigerator compressors (for example, with XK-27 units), the content of pure copper in the windings is approximately 1.8 - 2.2 kg. The weight of the assembled compressor itself reaches 11-12 kg.
Is it possible to hand over the entire compressor and how much will they give for it?
Yes, scrap metal collection points accept entire compressors. They are usually priced at "electric motor" or "heavy scrap" prices, which are cheaper than pure copper but more expensive than regular steel. The price depends on the current exchange rate and the point of collection.
Do modern refrigerators have copper in the compressor?
Yes, there is copper there, but there is much less of it. In some budget models, the windings may be made of aluminum, which reduces the cost of disposal. The exact composition can only be found out from technical documentation or by disassembly.
Is it harmful to burn insulation from a copper wire?
Absolutely yes. When varnish insulation is burned, dioxins and other carcinogenic substances are released. This is harmful to health and the environment. Industrial processors use special filters, which are not available at home.
How to quickly determine whether the inside is copper or aluminum?
Look at the cut of the wire or strip it with a knife. Red color is copper. Silver - aluminum. Copper is also heavier: a piece of copper wire will be noticeably heavier than a piece of aluminum of the same size.