Is solid or stranded wire cheaper?

Solid vs Stranded Cable: The Basics

Situations Where Stranded Cables are Ideal

Those who require cabling for intricate purposes such as circuit boards or electronic devices will favor

Situations Where Solid Cables are Ideal

Those who work outdoors or use heavy duty applications might expose the cables to corrosive particles, erratic movements and harsh weather conditions. Solid cables are best for these types of situations.

If you are on the fence as to whether you should use solid vs stranded cable, you are not alone. People all around the world struggle with this decision and there are no clear cut answers. The best option for you hinges on the nuances of your particular situation. Let's take a look at the differences between the two

types of cables

and examine instances where one will function better than the other.is built with one strand or the core of a wire that has non-conductive material for insulation. This type of cable is used for home electrical wiring, wiring for breadboards and other situations where wires are not required to be constantly flexed. Stranded cable is made up of a collection of small gauge wires that are insulated and compressed with materials that are non-conductive. This type of cabling is typically used in situations where wire must be routed into cramped spaces. It is also used in areas where there is considerable flexing or vibrations. Examples include

speaker wire

, headphone cables andThose who require cabling for intricate purposes such as circuit boards or electronic devices will favoras they'll remain intact and protected even if twisted or bent when connecting

electrical components

Those who work outdoors or use heavy duty applications might expose the cables to corrosive particles, erratic movements and harsh weather conditions. Solid cables are best for these types of situations.

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The Benefits of Solid Cables

Solid cables are often favored because they usually more affordable than the stranded variety due to their cheaper production costs. These cables are simple yet quite durable. As single, thick strands of cable, they are quite resistant to threats and very easy to produce.

The Disadvantages of Solid Cables

Though solid cables have plenty of laudable characteristics, they also have a few flaws. One of the main problems with solid cables is that they are usually only sold in small gauges. Also, if there is constant flexing or vibrations, the cable could eventually wear down and break, creating the need for a replacement. Therefore, solid cables are not optimal for applications like robotics or vehicles that require a considerable amount of movement. If the cable must be bent into awkward shapes, the solid cable won't have the appropriate amount of malleability and fortitude to remain fully intact.

Benefits of Stranded Cables

Stranded cables are easier to route in comparison to solid cables. They are also extremely flexible.

Disadvantages of Stranded Cables

Stranded cables are far from perfect. Their diameter is quite large yet they provide a similar carrying capacity as solid cables. They are also more expensive as their production costs are considerably higher than solid cables. These costs are higher due to the complex manufacturing process that is required to develop these intricate wires. Also, stranded cables are much more likely to falter as a result of corrosion from capillary action. It is also worth noting that stranded cables are not ideal for preventing electronic interference as the air channels in between each strand amplify the “skin effect” created by the magnetic fields along the cable's surface. Be sure to take each of the factors listed above into account before making a commitment to either solid vs stranded cable for your home or business project.

Solid cables are often favored because they usually more affordable than the stranded variety due to their cheaper production costs. These cables are simple yet quite durable. As single, thick strands of cable, they are quite resistant to threats and very easy to produce.also have a much more compact diameter compared to stranded cables. Yet this reduced size does not reduce the current carrying ability of solid cables. Add in the fact that solid cables are not as prone to failure as a result of corrosion and it is easy to see why they are held in high regard.Though solid cables have plenty of laudable characteristics, they also have a few flaws. One of the main problems with solid cables is that they are usually only sold in small gauges. Also, if there is constant flexing or vibrations, the cable could eventually wear down and break, creating the need for a replacement. Therefore, solid cables are not optimal for applications like robotics or vehicles that require a considerable amount of movement. If the cable must be bent into awkward shapes, the solid cable won't have the appropriate amount of malleability and fortitude to remain fully intact.Stranded cables are easier to route in comparison to solid cables. They are also extremely flexible.

Stranded cables

can withstand an incredible amount of vibrations and flexing without fatiguing and eventually breaking. As a result, you won't have to replace your stranded cables as often as will be necessary with solid cables.Stranded cables are far from perfect. Their diameter is quite large yet they provide a similar carrying capacity as solid cables. They are also more expensive as their production costs are considerably higher than solid cables. These costs are higher due to the complex manufacturing process that is required to develop these intricate wires. Also, stranded cables are much more likely to falter as a result of corrosion from capillary action. It is also worth noting that stranded cables are not ideal for preventing electronic interference as the air channels in between each strand amplify the “skin effect” created by the magnetic fields along the cable's surface. Be sure to take each of the factors listed above into account before making a commitment to either solid vs stranded cable for your home or business project.

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Why aren't stranded copper coated aluminum cables (CCA) widely used outside a small niche of speaker wires or 12 VDC applications?

According to this post the issue is with the insulation jacket which is either PVC or silicone and rated at 600 V.

I am asking because I want to contribute to this problem solving challenge by suggesting that multi-stranded wires are better conductors because they don't heat up due to a higher surface area, have no skin effect, and have overall lower resistance.

My suggestion is to replace NM wires in homes with multi-stranded CCA cables similar to this one. If the jacket is a problem surely engineers can find ways around it. With electric cars coming to more houses, we need better cables I think.

Next step is to replace low, medium, and high voltage power lines with the same multi-stranded cable. The low voltage lines are easy since they are sheathed.

For medium and high power I think that putting a soft multi-stranded cable inside this hard trapeze cable should work. These issues could be figured out if there is significant improvement in power transfer/loss. I feel when you need 700 kV to push 1 kA current through large regional power lines you're fighting the wire, because as wires heat up the conductivity goes down. With multi stranded wires there is no heat build-up.

Why is multi-stranded wire not used more widely if it's economically and electrically a better wire? Is it because it's too new?