Solid vs. Stranded Wires: What’s the Difference?
Not all wires are alike. The wires we see in our daily lives may all look similar on the outside. Still, on the inside, a wire can either be solid or stranded — an essential distinction in the world of electricity, which applies all around the world, including the Philippines.
There are several key differences between solid wires and stranded ones, each with benefits and drawbacks. When choosing the right wire for any application, it’s important to consider the capabilities and limitations, as well as the suitability, of each type.
Solid Wire
Simply put, solid wires are made of a single, continuous conductor — typically of copper material. There are plenty of benefits to using solid wire. Its most notable strength is its impressive conductivity. Solid wire is rigid, making it durable, and it is cheaper and less complex to produce than stranded wire. The perfect fit for outlets and switches with plug-in type terminals, the termination point on a solid wire is generally less prone to breakage than on a stranded one.
However, because solid wires are built for toughness, they have a notable rigidity that allows for limited flexibility, so they can only tolerate minimal movement and are best used for short, simple routing. It is also important to note that solid wires are used in small sizes, such as those intended for circuits. This is because the bigger the wire, the more difficult it is to bend.
Lastly, while a cost-efficient, long-lasting option, the surface area on solid wire can still get damaged over time, and the wire’s rigidity leaves it susceptible to breaking under mechanical stress or vibration, though this largely depends on the durability of its insulation and jacket.
Stranded Wire
Unlike solid wire, stranded wire is made of not just one but several wire strands which are wound together to form the conductor. One can envision it looking similar to a braid. Stranded wires are notably more flexible than solid ones.
Aside from its remarkable flexibility, stranded wire is also durable in its own way, in that its multiple strands can distribute stress more evenly. The unique structure of stranded wire makes it an apt option for both indoor and outdoor applications that require the wire to be bent or twisted to connect electrical components. A few examples include circuit boards and speaker wires.
When handling stranded wire, one must take care when performing termination to avoid damaging the strands. For screw type terminals, stranded wire is ideal.
Because stranded wire uses more copper than solid wire, it has a higher price point. However, an undeniable advantage to stranded wire is that due to its flexibility, it can be used in bigger sizes, and allows for longer routing requiring more bends.
Conclusion
Both solid wires and stranded wires have their own advantages over the other. When it comes to choosing between the two, it all boils down to the wire’s suitability to the application and what you need the most out of your wire — such as flexibility or long-distance capabilities.
In the Philippines, Phelps Dodge is a leading manufacturer of innovative wiring, which comes in both solid and stranded options. Send us a message or browse our official website to learn more about our excellent electrical solutions for all applications.
