Copper Wire Theft Graphic

Copper Wire Theft: A Costly Problem

As copper prices have increased over the past few years, the occurrence of copper-wire theft has shown a corresponding increase. The cost of base copper has risen over 400 percent in the last six years alone, and global demand suggests the price will continue
its ascent.

In terms of cost to municipalities and utility companies, the value of stolen material is only a portion of the overall price of theft. The actual cost increases dramatically when considering repair-and-reinstallation costs, security-and-safety potential, and
utility-service outages.

The EMTRAC system utilizes precision GPS technology and secure RF communication to alert municipalities of theft events in real time. When used in conjunction with the Central Monitor software, the EMTRAC system enables agency personnel to view event locations on the integrated map—as they occur.

The EMTRAC Advantage

As opposed to traditional methods of countering wire theft, the EMTRAC system offers a dual-method approach to ensure reliable detection of theft activity.

Monitoring is done at individual pole and pull-box locations to detect unauthorized access. It can also be done at electrical-switch locations to continually monitor the response to high-frequency pulses while detecting changes in wire properties on the circuit.

The EMTRAC Central Monitor software enables agencies to disable alerts from locations scheduled to be accessed by work crews—reducing the possibility of false alarms.

EMTRAC System Benefits

  • Theft Reduction: Decrease theft rates by quickly responding to unauthorized-access alerts.
  • Cost Savings: Reduce material-replacement and reinstallation costs by decreasing theft rates.
  • Flexibility: Access sensors fit a wide range of sizes and configurations.
  • Ease of Installation: Monitoring hardware is easily installed in existing poles and pull boxes.
  • Expandability: Implement first-response and transit-vehicle signal priority (as time and budgets allow) while using many of the same hardware components.

EMTRAC System Features

  • Sensors are capable of prompting access alerts for hand holes and pull boxes.
  • Electrical-switch sensors are capable of prompting alerts upon sensing changes in wire properties—indicating cut wire.
  • EMTRAC software provides real-time alerts to highlight locations where unauthorized access is occurring.
  • Pole-mounted antenna facilitates theft-notification transmissions to the appropriate detector unit in nearby signal-control cabinets.
  • EMTRAC software enables designation of intersections scheduled for maintenance to temporarily disable alerts.
  • EMTRAC software may be configured to email periodic event logs to specified agency personnel.

Theft Data and Outlook

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy published a copper-wire theft report, which included the following information:

"The [theft] problem is not likely to cease as long as copper prices remain sufficiently attractive to would-be thieves."

"Since the beginning of the 2004 spike in copper prices, copper theft and copper prices have been directly linked."

Reports of theft began to climb when price began to average over $3.50/lb. Average copper prices for the first-half of 2011($4.26/lb.) suggest a continued risk of theft. Long-term forecasters expect a continued rise, due to demand from emerging markets and supply deficits.

Specifications

For detailed specifications and more information about how your agency can use the EMTRAC Wire-Theft Monitoring and Alert system, please contact EMTRAC.

Contact EMTRAC

EMTRAC Systems
320 South 11th St.
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Phone: (618) 242-2678
Email: emtrac2@sbcglobal.net