Copper Theft
Theft of copper conductors from roadway electrical
installations is an ongoing problem for TxDOT and many other public
entities. Replacing stolen conductors can have a high cost in materials
and manpower. Copper theft also leaves the installation inoperable, which
decreases safety for drivers.
Although there is no universal solution to prevent
all copper theft, three strategies can be used to help deter it.
Law enforcement can reduce theft by taking thieves off the street
and punishing those involved. Engineering methods can be used to
make it more difficult for thieves to access the wiring. Reducing
the value of conductors by using smaller sizes or alternate materials can
help reduce the incentive for theft. Details on the three strategies
follow.
Law Enforcement:
- Texas Penal Code, Section 31.03, makes it a state jail felony to steal aluminum, bronze, copper, and brass up to a value of $20,000. This includes aluminum and copper conductors.
- Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1956, requires scrap and recycling yards to collect information on sellers of scrap wire, including driver's license or official ID, contractor license, thumbprints, vehicle information, and photos or videos of the person selling the scrap.
Engineering Methods:
- Locking ground box covers, handhole covers, and T-base covers are available from several manufacturers.
- Eliminate junction boxes during design to reduce the number of access points to conductors.
- Ground boxes can be hidden a few inches underground. If this is done, then a method to locate them for maintenance is needed.
- Tack weld bolts to metal junction box covers. The tack weld needs to be removed for maintenance inside the box.
Reduce Value of Conductors:
- Use the smallest size conductor that will work according to the design and the NEC. The smaller wire is less expensive to replace and has less scrap value.
- Aluminum conductors have lower scrap value than copper, but the NEC has restrictions on the use of aluminum conductors that makes it mostly unsuitable for underground wiring. NEC 250.120(B) does not allow bare aluminum equipment grounding conductors to come in contact with the earth or to be used in corrosive conditions. Also NEC 250.120(B) does not allow aluminum equipment grounding conductors to be terminated within 18 inches of the earth. For these reasons, aluminum conductors are usually not recommended for underground wiring of illumination.