why do they make stranded and solid copper wire and do they both carry the same value if there the same size?

Answer 1

As far as I know there is no difference in electrical carrying capacity of the two different types. They can both be rated the same. However, solid-wire conductors are more rigid, easier to terminate, and hold their shape well. Stranded-wire conductors are more flexible, but tend not to hold their shape. Depends on what type you need for your application.

Answer 2

The use of stranded wire over solid conductor serves two purposes, cost, and flexibility. The equipment to make very large single strand wire gets more expensive as the size goes up. In addition, single conductor wire is more stiff and rigid than the equivalent diameter stranded wire..

If you read the data source I've included it would appear the dc resistance is the same. So given, the same insulations quality, the current rating should be the same.

http://www.madisoncable.com/StrandedCopper.asp

Things are different when you go to AC current, particularly high frequency current. You get what's called skin effect, where the current tends to go to the outside of the conductor. This is not a problem in household wiring or low frequency applications.

Answer 3

I'm an electrician. Stranded and solid wire is interchangeable in building wiring. Stranded wire is much easier to work with because it is so much easier to pull through conduit. Actually stranded wire has a larger overall diameter than solid wire because there are small spacings around the various strands. Stranded wire avoids the possibility of solid wire as a single point of failure. You must be more careful about tight connections at junctions because stranded wire can be more easily deformed. Skin effect is important at higher frequencies when the current runs along only the surface of the wire--with strands there is much more surface area. In circuits of wire larger than #12, where the wire has the approximate diameter of pencil lead, stranded wire is used almost exclusively. I can think of no reason to ever use solid wire in these cases. It would make my job incredibly difficult. But with #14 and #12 wire, we use solid wire because the wires are often terminated by forming a loop in the wire and securing it under a screwhead. Stranded wire is too unstable; it deforms and works loose from under the screwhead.

Answer 4

Stranded and solid copper wire are used for different purposes. One example; stranded copper is used for wiring audio circuits because it carries the signal much better than solid wire.
Also, stranded wire is much more flexible than solid

Answer 5

Wire is stranded because it is easier to bed than solid core wire. Solid core wire will carry more, but at higher gauges what you have isn't wire as much as it is a thin copper bar.

Answer 6

the stranded type is more flexable.

the stranded type is better for use on moving objects like vehicles. it doesnt fatigue and break as quickly as solid wire.

the stranded type is easier to place in locations where lots of bends are needed inside tight spots.

the solid type is used in houses. it is more rigid, easier to lay for long stretches.

Answer 7

The reason they make wires stranded is for flexibility and to prevent heat build up. More surface area for heat to dissipate.

Answer 8

(you might like to check out "Litz wire" for the high frequency skin effect problem)