Solid Conductors vs. Stranded Conductors

Solid= less skin, lower mechanical strength

Stranded= more skin, a bit higher strength for same nett crossectional area.

Does it sound a bell?

Typically you will use solid conductors for installations such as in walls or buried in the ground. Places were the conductor is not subject to vibrations or any movement. The stranded is always used for portable wireing such as extension cords or any installations such as vehicles where the conductor is subject to vibrations and movement. This is just a brief example and there are many factors that can dictate which conductor to chose. Always refer to the electrical code book for the proper choice. J. Conway

All my underground cables (for factory) are Stranded, as are my home wiring (concealed in the wall) except a specific one (and that one is not meant for carrying power)

Regulatory use of stranded conductor:

NEC 310.3 requires the conductors of size 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded, when installed in raceways.

- MS

Guest,

MSAMAD is correct, however there are also practical reasons for choosing one over the other as sb suggested.

Flexibility is the issue over #8 gauge size, and may sometimes be an issue under that size. Stranded wire is more flexible.

Another major consideration is the connection point and type. For instance when two or more conductors terminate together, a mix of sizes and a mix of solid and stranded wires can cause an insecure "bite" on the smaller conductor(s) depending on the termination type.

At some level there is a difference in cost versus function also. There are times when the stiffness and form-ability of solid conductors is an advantage.

CJM

Thanks guys for passing on the informations. Great help.

Solid is used for house wiring more copper can conduct better than stranded. Stranded like speaker wire easier to work with and will not fatigue and break as does solid.