What is a Power Cable in Arc Raiders?

Power Cable is classified as a Rare item in the game. It’s not something you find in every scavenging run, but it shows up often enough in certain locations. Its main purpose isn’t to be used directly in combat or missions; instead, it’s primarily valuable for crafting and recycling.

In practical terms, you can think of Power Cables as a resource that feeds your workshop upgrades and gear production. They weigh 2.0 units and have a stack size of 3, so they don’t take up too much inventory space, but you do want to manage them wisely because carrying too many low-value items can clutter your bag during scavenging runs.

Where Can You Find Power Cables?

Based on common player experience, Power Cables show up in three main types of locations:

• Electrical areas: These are your most reliable sources. Industrial zones, substations, and maintenance areas almost always have Power Cables lying around.

• Residential zones: Don’t ignore houses and apartment buildings. They often hide one or two cables in cupboards, storage rooms, or utility closets.

• Commercial buildings: Offices, warehouses, and shopping areas occasionally yield Power Cables, though the drops are less frequent than electrical sites.

From personal experience, targeting electrical zones during scavenging runs gives the best return if you are farming Power Cables specifically.

How Does Recycling Power Cables Work?

This is where things get practical. Power Cables are recyclable, meaning you can turn them into crafting materials. In-game, you can choose between two main options:

1. Recycling: This is done in a Workshop or Gear Bench. When you recycle a Power Cable, you get 4 Wires per cable. Wires are a core crafting material, used in everything from weapon mods to electronics in the game. Most players prioritize recycling over selling because crafting is more valuable long-term than coins.

2. Salvaging: If you salvage a Power Cable instead, you get 3 Wires. Salvaging is generally slower and yields slightly less, but it can make sense if you want to gather multiple types of materials at once without visiting the Workshop.

In practice, most experienced players tend to recycle Power Cables at Gear Bench 1. This is fast, reliable, and maximizes material output. I usually save up stacks of Power Cables from multiple runs and then process them all at once, which saves time and workshop trips.

How Are Power Cables Used in Workshop Upgrades?

Beyond recycling, Power Cables are part of some Workshop upgrade recipes. For example:

• Gear Bench 1 → Gear Bench 2 upgrade requires:

  • 3× Power Cable

  • 5× Electrical Components

  • 5× Hornet Driver

This combination means that if you are planning to upgrade your workshop, holding onto Power Cables becomes strategically important. Players often over-collect them, anticipating future upgrades. I’ve noticed that many casual players sell off rare items too quickly, missing the chance to upgrade efficiently.

If you’re budget-conscious, you can also combine this with purchasing cheap Arc Raiders items from the market to fill in the gaps without having to scavenge every single material manually.

Should I Sell or Recycle Power Cables?

The in-game sell price for a single Power Cable is 1,000 coins. While this may seem tempting, it’s generally more efficient to recycle them into Wires, unless you are short on inventory space or need quick cash for a specific purchase.

A practical approach I use is:

• If your inventory is almost full and you need coins, sell a few cables.

• If your goal is long-term crafting and workshop upgrades, recycle them for Wires.

Recycling provides more value in the long run. You end up with materials you will actually need for mods, gear, and other upgrades rather than spending coins on items that might require even more materials to craft.

Tips From Experienced Players

Here are some habits that have worked for me and other seasoned Arc Raiders players:

1. Stack and sort your materials: Keep Power Cables in a separate stack from common items. This makes it easier to find them for recycling or workshop upgrades.

2. Target electrical zones first: As mentioned, these areas are the most reliable source of Power Cables. You’ll waste less time than checking residential or commercial areas randomly.

3. Plan workshop upgrades in advance: Before scavenging, check which materials your upcoming workshop or gear upgrade requires. This prevents over-collecting unnecessary items.

4. Don’t forget about crafting synergies: Sometimes, you can combine Wires with other recycled items to craft higher-tier gear components. This is where the real value of Power Cables comes in—they’re a stepping stone to more advanced crafting.

5. Keep an eye on events and missions: Occasionally, special events increase drop rates for rare items like Power Cables, so prioritize scavenging during these periods.

In short, Power Cables are a rare but highly useful item in Arc Raiders. They:

• Can be found mainly in electrical, residential, and commercial areas.

• Are primarily valuable for recycling into Wires, which are essential for crafting.

• Are required in Workshop upgrades, especially when moving from Gear Bench 1 to Gear Bench 2.

• Are sellable, but recycling usually gives better long-term value.

• Are stackable (3 per stack) and weigh 2.0, making them easy to manage if you plan ahead.

If you approach Power Cables strategically—collecting them selectively, recycling wisely, and combining them with other materials—you’ll maximize both your crafting efficiency and workshop upgrade progress. Treat them as a resource rather than just a collectible, and you’ll find they pay off more than their immediate coin value.

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