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Copper conductor costs

Copper conductor costs

Copper conductor costs

(OP)
Hello Gents,
I am putting together a cost comparison of a couple of different options for power distribution and one of the major factors is feeder costs.  I've gone through my current RS Means cost book and several other sources and am getting costs all over the map.

Does anyone here on the west coast of the US have recent experience with a realistic ballpark price for THHN/THWN, 500 kcmil,600V, cu, in lengths of more than ten thousand feet?  I am getting anywhere from 3.15 $/lf (seems a little low),to 8.10 $/lf, seems really high), I am probably going to try to get a price from a local distributor, but they are not enthusiastic about assisting engineers as we don't acually buy the product.  The average of the two at $5.63 looks ok, but I would like a number based on more than my opinion.

I realize the copper market is volatile and has gone up in recent years.  Just want a reality check.

Thank you and regards,
EEJaime

RE: Copper conductor costs

Ask your purchasing dept to get a budget price for you.

 

RE: Copper conductor costs

I would say you would have to base it on a percentage because the metals market is so volatile but if you use a base price you can then calculate the savings.... "Installing X number of distibution panel in X locations would result in Z% savings instead of installing Y panels in Y locations."

RE: Copper conductor costs

(OP)
Scottf,
Well we are consulting engineers, we don't "purchase" anything.  That is why I mentioned what I did about distrubutors.  If I don't have a PO, they don't have the time.

Jebb,
Good point, however, all I was looking for was a snapshot of current conditions.  This project won't bid for another 18 months, and then be two years in construction.  There is no way to predict what the conditions will be then.  That is why I am asking for real world information, the Costing Manuals for 2009 were printed a year ago, they are no more useful than my estimation of conditions.

Thank you for your responses,
EEJaime

RE: Copper conductor costs

EEJaime-

In that case find out who the manufacturer's agent/sales person is in your area. They should be able to help better/faster than a distributor.  

RE: Copper conductor costs

If cost estimating is not your expertize, engage a professional estimator or a electrical contractor and "pay" them for the services.

Cost estimating is also an art that requires experience and it is much more than just crunching numbers.

Other approach with a lot of disclaimers, would be to use RS Means, use the same cost basis and that should give you a reasonable comparison of two options. At least you can say you used a published data.

RE: Copper conductor costs

I don't know whether this helps.

http://www.lme.com/copper_graphs.asp

As you can see, in the last year alone the copper price crashed from $ 9,000 to to $ 3,000 to about $ 4,500 today.

As a rewinder who consumes lot of copper, my supplier gives me price valid for 2 weeks at most given the volatility (due to frigging metals trading). So, I don't know how one can estimate price for a project 3-4 years down the road unless you use a price variation clause.

RE: Copper conductor costs

(OP)
Edison123
Thank you for the link, very useful.  Just the kind of factual data I was looking for. I have the regional VP of one of the large wire manufacturers coming in on Friday, we'll get his take on this issue.  
Thank you all again,
EEJaime

RE: Copper conductor costs

$4.50/ft purchased in April

RE: Copper conductor costs

(OP)
ZAZM,
Thank you very much.
Regards,
EEJaime  

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