Every year, millions of waste electric motors from appliances, factories, vehicles, and recycling centers pile up—each holding valuable copper, aluminum, and steel inside. But here’s the big question every recycler, scrap yard operator, and e-waste processor asks:
“What power rating of waste motors can a motor recycling machine actually process?”
It’s a crucial question because choosing the wrong machine can choke your production, damage equipment, or reduce your copper recovery rate. Meanwhile, choosing the right one can 10× your throughput, improve safety, and significantly increase your profit margin.
What Power Rating of Waste Motors Can a Motor Recycling Machine Process?
Motor recycling machines today can process an extremely wide range of waste motors, from small 0.25 kW appliance motors to large 30 kW industrial motors, depending on the equipment type.
Below is a breakdown of the most common categories.
- 1. Small Motor Recycling Machines (0.25 kW – 5 kW)
These machines are designed to handle motors typically found in:
- Fans
- Mixers
- Pumps
- Washing machines
- Small compressors
- Household appliances
Typical rotor diameters: 30–150 mm
Processing style: Manual feeding, automatic cutting/stripping
Why they matter:
Small motors make up over 60% of total motor waste volume globally, according to e-waste recovery reports.
Power rating these machines can process:
➡️ 0.25 kW up to about 5 kW
These are the most common models purchased by small recycling yards and e-waste centers.
- 2. Medium Motor Recycling Machines (5 kW – 30 kW)
This is the backbone category for most industrial recycling operations.
These machines easily process motors from:
- Industrial pumps
- Air compressors
- Conveyor drives
- CNC machines
- HVAC systems
- Commercial appliances
Rotor diameters: 80–250 mm
Processing method: Hydraulic cutters + stator splitting + coil extraction
Power rating range:
➡️ 5 kW to 30 kW
Many recyclers report 30–50% higher copper recovery efficiency because medium stators often have high-quality copper windings.
FAQ
1. Can one machine process all motor power levels?
Not usually.
Most facilities use two or three machine sizes to cover the full range efficiently.
A “universal” motor recycling machine does exist, but it typically has limitations in:
- Feeding size
- Clamping force
- Cutting precision
- Throughput
For best efficiency, match the machine to a specific motor size category.
2. Can EV motors be recycled with standard machines?
Not safely.
EV motors have:
- Higher density
- Strong magnets
- Reinforced housings
- Larger copper mass
Specialized EV motor recycling lines are recommended.
3. Does higher power rating mean higher copper value?
In general, yes—bigger motors contain more copper.
But variables matter:
- Motor type
- Material (copper vs. aluminum windings)
- Efficiency grade
A typical 30 kW motor contains 18–24 kg of copper—a major profit driver.
Motor recycling machines can handle a wide range of waste motors—from tiny 0.25 kW units to massive 30 kW industrial motors—as long as the right machine category is chosen. The key is understanding your scrap motor types, their sizes, and the volume you process daily.
With the global surge in electric motors from EVs, appliances, and industrial equipment, investing in the right recycling machine gives recyclers a huge advantage in copper recovery, efficiency, and profitability.