[GreenKeys] Re: Stranded vs Solid Wire...

Jeffrey Angus jangus at socal.rr.com
Fri Nov 21 21:20:26 EST 2008


> First as you mention the stranded wire is more flexible.  This is most  
> valuable if you need to flex the harness when you open and close the  
> chassis.

True

> The 18 AWG will carry more current that 22 AWG, regardless of being  
> stranded or solid.

Also true.

> However, stranded wire of the same gauge as solid carries more current  
> due to the increased surface area.

Ahh, no. The current capacity of the wire is relatated to the cross
sectional area. Stranded wire may (for the same gauge) appear a
bit larger than solid wire, but it is do the wasted space between the
individual strands.

You're think of Litz wire, multiple insulated strands of wire used for
winding RF coils. It works because of the "skin effect" at higher
frequencies that tends to move most of the current flowing to the
surface of the wire.

But this is hardly an issue at the data rates used in teletype gear.

> You know me.  I like to keep things as original as possible, but in  
> many cases the wire size will not make much of a difference.

I have my sources of odds and ends, How long, and how many
conductor #22 cable do you need? 

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi



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