What Is Better Stranded Wire Or Solid Wire?

The answer to which type of wire is better, stranded or solid wire, is- it depends? So, what does it depend upon? The type of application you are wiring. For instance, because of the inherent ruggedness of their construction, solid wire may be a better choice in environments prone to vibrations, or where the surface where the wire is installed experiences lots of friction and tension.

Using a stranded wire gauge, on the other hand, is a better choice where the cabling environment is stable. For example, using stranded copper wire makes great sense when wiring a home inside drywall or in attics. However, for externally-exposed applications, solid wire might be the better choice. That’s because stranded wire is more flexible in its properties, so its easier to push it through curved walls and winding crawlspace in attics and basements.