What Is a Power Cable in Arc Raiders?

A Power Cable is a rare crafting item in Arc Raiders. Its main use is in workshop upgrades, but it can also be recycled or salvaged for wires. Because it’s rare, you’ll want to plan how you collect and use it carefully.

In practical terms, a single Power Cable weighs 2.0 units in your inventory, stacks up to 3, and can be sold for 1,000 coins. Most players don’t sell them, though, because they’re more valuable for crafting and trading.

Where Can You Find Power Cables?

Power Cables appear in several types of locations. Based on common player experience:

• Electrical Areas: These are usually industrial zones or utility hubs. You’ll often find Power Cables in crates, shelves, or near machinery.

• Residential Areas: Look inside homes, apartments, and sometimes garages. Players frequently check kitchens and basements where cables are stored.

• Commercial Areas: Office buildings, shops, and warehouses can spawn Power Cables. They’re often near electrical panels or storage containers.

In practice, players tend to prioritize Electrical areas first. These zones are more densely packed with loot and usually have a higher chance of Power Cables appearing. Residential and Commercial zones are secondary targets when you’re looking to stockpile for crafting.

Scavenging is the primary method. Random spawns mean you’ll need multiple runs in the same area to collect enough. Experienced players often circle the same high-loot locations to maximize efficiency.

How Does Workshop Crafting Work with Power Cables?

Power Cables are most commonly used in workshop upgrades. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Gear Bench 1 Upgrade: Requires 3 Power Cables, 5 Electrical Components, and 5 Hornet Drivers.

• Gear Bench 2 Upgrade: Uses the same materials but is for progressing your workshop tier.

The general workflow for crafting is straightforward: collect the necessary components, deposit them at your workshop, and select the upgrade you want. Many players will farm Power Cables ahead of time to avoid stopping mid-upgrade.

A tip from experience: don’t overcommit to gathering other parts first. Power Cables are often the bottleneck, so prioritize getting enough before worrying about Electrical Components or Hornet Drivers.

Recycling and Salvaging Power Cables

If you have extra Power Cables, they can be recycled or salvaged for wires:

• Recycling: 1 Power Cable → 4 Wires

• Salvaging: 1 Power Cable → 3 Wires

Wires are used in many other crafting recipes, so even if you don’t need the Power Cable itself, it’s worth keeping a few around for recycling. In practice, players often recycle excess Power Cables to prepare for future gear upgrades or for trade.

Speaking of trade, Power Cables are sometimes included in arc raiders blueprints trade between players. This can be a good way to convert surplus cables into materials you’re missing, or to help someone else complete a workshop upgrade.

Practical Tips for Collecting Power Cables

1. Plan Your Route: Focus on high-density Electrical zones, then check Residential and Commercial spots on the way.

2. Check Containers Thoroughly: Some cables spawn in crates or on shelves, not just in obvious loot points.

3. Repeat Runs: Because spawns are random, multiple loops through the same area often yield better results than moving to new locations.

4. Manage Inventory: Each stack holds 3, so make sure you have room before picking up extras. It’s easy to run into a full inventory mid-scavenge.

5. Recycle When Needed: If you’re low on wires, recycle extras instead of selling. It’s more efficient than farming separate wire nodes.

Common Player Mistakes

Even experienced players sometimes get tripped up by Power Cables. Here’s what to avoid:

• Ignoring Secondary Zones: Many players stick only to Electrical areas. While efficient, Residential and Commercial areas sometimes give surprise spawns you don’t want to miss.

• Overfarming Components: Some players gather 5–10 of each Electrical Component and Hornet Driver but don’t have Power Cables, leaving them stuck. Focus on Power Cables first.

• Selling Rare Cables: It can be tempting to cash in for coins, but you’ll often need them more for crafting or trade. Only sell if you truly have a surplus.

Power Cables are a rare but essential resource in Arc Raiders. You can find them in Electrical, Residential, and Commercial areas, primarily through scavenging. They are key to workshop upgrades and can be recycled into wires if you have extras. Smart players prioritize collecting them early, check all containers, and repeat high-density zones for maximum yield. Including them in arc raiders blueprints trade can also help you leverage your stock efficiently.

Knowing how and where to get Power Cables can save a lot of time, prevent unnecessary backtracking, and keep your workshop upgrades moving smoothly. Focus your scavenging, manage your inventory, and plan your upgrades around this rare item, and you’ll stay ahead of the curve.

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