Copper wire lifespan

[anbm]

What is typical copper wire lifespan? I have a project, the building is 30 years old, we replace some motors and the client asked if we can keep/re-use the wire for another 20 years? Should they hire an electric testing company to test and confirm?

 

[LarryFine]

Certainly longer than 30 years, damage aside.

 

[infinity]

IMO modern conductors with thermoplastic insulation should last at least 100 years under normal conditions There are thousands of homes here in Northern NJ that are 100 years old and they're still utilizing the old tinned copper conductors with inferior rubber insulation.

 

[kwired]

IMO modern conductors with thermoplastic insulation should last at least 100 years under normal conditions There are thousands of homes here in Northern NJ that are 100 years old and they're still utilizing the old tinned copper conductors with inferior rubber insulation.

The rubber is likely fine if undisturbed, not subjected to sunlight, and never been overloaded for any extended periods of time. But flex it and it may crack or even crumble.

To the OP the copper lasts virtually forever if never subjected to something that will corrode it away. Insulation is what deteriorates for the most part. The thermoplastic insulation types should last very long time if never subjected to overheating, or sunlight.

 

[infinity]

The rubber is likely fine if undisturbed, not subjected to sunlight, and never been overloaded for any extended periods of time. But flex it and it may crack or even crumble

Yup that was my point. The tinned copper with rubber insulation is garbage and is still going 100 years later. Thermoplastic should outlast that by decades.

 

[kec]

it's a element. They make money with it. Should last forever.

 

[electrofelon]

it's a element. They make money with it. Should last forever.

Only exception would be trailer wiring in upstate New York with all the salt they put on the roads

 

[NoahsArc]

Older cloth wiring won't last more than 70 years, but I imagine newer plastic insulation lasts a bit longer than that, though it will get brittle over time and be increasingly hard to maintain as it ages.

 

[Jraef]

Unless subjected to corrosive elements, the copper itself will last thousands of years.

“Electrical Wire” however includes insulation that can become compromised long before the copper has and problems. You can test the insulation integrity, which tells you if it is good today, but past or present condition is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Still, if it’s less than 50 years old, I wouldn’t be too concerned.