[sdiy] when and why use stranded?

[J. Larry Hendry]

> Stranded is also a little lighter, and has more surface area to conduct RF
> currents than solid wire -- so there are also impedance differences.

----- Original Message -----
From: harrybissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
I'd object to that statement. This is only partially true, unless you use
special wire (Litz wire) that has each individual strand insulated.  In
normal stranded wire there is no way to predict what path will be taken.

--LH--
Hmmm.  I'd be interested in hearing why you object to that.  I always have
thought that the skin effect or RF frequencies made stranded a better
choice.  Of course, a tube is a better choice at some point.

BTW, we *always* use stranded wire in the utility business these days.
Solid wire that big is stifff as galvenized pipe !!  LOL :)  Sorry, I'm a
stooge.  I could not resist.

Larry