Copperhead® Tracer Wire

Copperhead® copper-clad steel (CCS) tracer wire is a bimetal wire with a steel core and copper cladding. The two metals are metallurgically bonded together with heat and pressure, making them inseparable after the cladding process is complete. CCS offers the strength of steel with the conductivity of copper, providing utilities an intelligent alternative to solid copper tracer wire. 

Designed for Specific Applications 

• Open Cut – The traditional excavation method to expose existing utilities or install new utilities where there are no buildings or other obstructions in the way. Copperhead® High Strength or SuperFlex™ is the best underground tracer wire for open-cut applications. 

• Directional Drill – A trenchless method of installing underground utilities that involves drilling along a chosen boe path to install utilities that need to go under roads, sidewalks, or other obstructions. SoloShot™ Extra-High Strength is the best tracer wire for directional drilling. 

• Pipe Burst – A trenchless method of replacing old, buried pipes with new pipes by bursting the old pipe and pulling new pipes in its place. SoloShot™ Xtreme is the best tracer wire for pipe bursting. 

Why Install Tracer Wire? 

• The most accurate way to detect buried pipes and cables. 

• Prevents underground utility damage and saves lives. 

• Locates non-metallic and metallic materials. 

• Designed for open cut, directional drilling, and pipe bursting. 
• Tracer wire is an inexpensive insurance policy to ensure accurate location for the life of a utility. 

Why Specific Copperhead® Products? 

• Copperhead® is the only CCS tracer wire supplier to be 100% American made to ASTM B1010, the most stringent quality standard for tracer wire.  
• Copperhead® pioneered copper-clad steel tracer wire with Copperweld, which has 100+ years of history in the copper cladding process. 
• Copperhead® has developed the Complete Utility Locating System™ – a complete tracer wire system designed to ensure the protection of underground utility assets. 
• Copperhead® has developed a comprehensive specification based on best practices for installing complete tracer wire systems; we help utilities, municipalities and engineers to write specifications that meet their specific needs. 
• Tapex Industrial offers personalised full-service support, on-site training, product demos, spec writing assistance, pre-construction meetings, training, troubleshooting and location assistance.

What is Copper-Clad Steel Tracer Wire? 

• Copperhead® copper-clad steel tracer wire is a bimetallic wire with a steel core (75%) and a copper covering (25%).  

• The copper is not a coating.  It is bonded together with the steel using heat and pressure to make them inseparable, after the cladding process is complete.  

• Copper-clad steel offers the strength of steel with the conductivity of copper. 

• All Copperhead® tracer wire is insulated with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) jacket, which is water repellent and designed for direct bury. 

CCS Advantages Over Solid Copper 

• More durable 

• Longer lasting 

• Stronger – up to 6 times the break load 

• Reduced material cost 

• More stable, longer-term pricing 

• Reduced threat of theft due to lack of aftermarket value 

• Lower shipping and handling costs due to lighter weight 

Copperhead® Tracer Wire delivers durability, reliability, and easy installation for all your underground utility needs. With the strength of copper-clad steel and advantages over solid copper, our products protect your assets while making future locates simple. 

Get a quote today or explore our full range of Copperhead Tracer Wire products.