Cable Recycling Line: Which Cable Types Can Be Granulated?
The right cable recycling line starts with the feed mix, not the headline capacity. Diameter, insulation, copper content and armouring determine whether cable can go directly to granulation or needs preparation first.
Small insulated cable is the normal granulator feed
Automotive harness, household wire, LAN cable and many industrial insulated cables can be considered for dry mechanical granulation when the diameter and feed condition fit the selected model.
Sort a representative sample by diameter and cable type before comparing machines. A mixed feed can run differently from a clean single-type stream even when the average weight is the same.
Armoured and oversized cable needs a separate decision
Large armoured cable should not be assumed to enter a standard granulator. The armour and overall diameter may require stripping or a separate preparation stage before the copper and insulation can be separated.
Send photos, outside diameter, armour description and a sample when possible. That information determines whether the line needs pre-sorting, stripping or a heavy-duty configuration.
Copper content changes useful capacity
A capacity figure is not a promise for every cable mix. Thin, heavily insulated cable contains less copper per kilogram and may feed differently from larger copper-rich cable.
Confirm daily volume, running hours and the target copper fraction together. A material test is more useful than selecting from a nominal kg/h number alone.
Dry separation still needs dust and product checks
The described process uses cutting, airflow and vibration rather than water or chemicals. Dust collection and feed preparation remain part of the project configuration.
The output target should include both the copper granule and the plastic fraction. Confirm the attainable purity and recovery with the actual cable sample before final selection.
What to take away
- Sort cable by diameter, insulation and armouring before choosing a model.
- Do not send oversized armoured cable directly to a standard granulator without review.
- Use a representative sample to confirm capacity, recovery and copper quality.
- Plan for dust collection and a destination for the separated plastic fraction.
Written by the Miracle Machinery engineering team. Figures quoted are from published equipment specifications; project-specific results are confirmed by material test.