Stranded vs. Solid Wire Cable : How to Choose | Fluke Networks

Both shielded and unshielded twisted-pair copper cable comes in either stranded or solid wire versions. There are plenty of considerations when it comes to choosing one or the other, including standards, environment, application, and cost. Let’s take a look at the differences and considerations, so you can decide whether stranded copper wire or solid copper wire cable is right for your specific installation.

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Differences Between Stranded and Solid Wire Cable

Stranded and solid wire cable differ in key ways, including construction, flexibility, and performance.

What Is Stranded Wire Cable?

In a stranded cable, each of the eight copper conductors are made up of multiple “strands” of small-gauge wires that are wound together concentrically in a helix, much like a rope. Stranded wire is typically specified as two numbers, with the first number representing the quantity of strands and the second representing the gauge. For example, a 7X32 (sometimes written as 7/32) indicates that there are 7 strands of 32 AWG wire that make up the conductor.

What Is Solid Wire Cable?

In a solid cable, each of the eight conductors are made up of a single larger-gauge wire. Solid wire is specified by just one gauge number to indicate the size of the conductor, such as 24 AWG. Whether it’s a one-, two-, or four-pair cable, the gauge of the solid conductor is the specification for the cable.

Stranded Wire Cables Are More Flexible than Solid Wire Cables

Beyond the way they're made, another key difference between stranded and solid wire cable is flexibility.

• • Stranded wire cables are much more flexible and can withstand more bending. In terminations, however, those flexible strands can break or become loose over time.
• • Solid wire cables are more rigid and can break if flexed too far or too frequently. However, solid conductors will hold their shape over time and seat properly within insulation displacement connectors (IDCs) on jacks, patch panels, and connecting blocks.

Solid Wire Cables Are Better Conductors

A less-obvious difference between stranded and solid wire cable is performance.

• • In general, solid wire cables are better electrical conductors than stranded wire cables, and they provide superior, stable electrical characteristics over a wider range of frequencies. They’re also considered more rugged and less likely to be affected by vibration or susceptible to corrosion, since they have less surface area than stranded conductors.
• • Solid wire can also carry more current than stranded wire. Higher-gauge (thinner) conductors have more insertion loss than lower-gauge (thicker) conductors; stranded cables exhibit 20 to 50 percent more attenuation than solid copper conductors (20 percent for 24 AWG and 50 percent for 26 AWG). Because the cross section of a stranded conductor is not all copper (there’s some air in there), they also have higher DC resistance than solid cables.

Now that you understand the differences between stranded and solid wire cable, let’s cover what you need to consider when making a choice.

Is Stranded Wire Better Than Solid Wire?

Which type of wire is the best choice depends on the installation's requirements.

When to Use Solid Wire Cable

When it comes to 90-meter horizontal permanent links, there’s no choice: whether it's shielded or unshielded twisted pair, both TIA and ISO/IEC standards require solid wire cable. Stranded cable (24 and 26 AWG) is limited to patch cords and 10-meter lengths within a 100-meter channel.

When to Use Stranded Wire Cable

Because stranded cables are more flexible and can withstand bending, they make excellent patch cords for equipment connections and cross-connects where cables are frequently bent and manipulated; at just 10 meters of the channel, the increased insertion loss and resistance aren’t a factor in the overall channel performance. However, smaller 28 AWG stranded patch cords that have even more insertion loss and resistance due to their smaller gauge do have some limitations — get the Skinny on 28 AWG Patch Cords to learn more.

Open office environments, however, are special situations; they’re faced with regular reconfigurations and may require a more flexible cabling system. In those installations, the standards allow stranded patch cords to take up more than 10 meters of the channel. However, if you’re using more than 10 meters of stranded cable in a channel, industry standards require de-rating the overall channel length to accommodate for the greater insertion loss and DC resistance.

When it comes to de-rating stranded cable per industry standards, the overall gauge is a factor: higher-gauge (thinner) cables have a higher de-rating factor. The de-rating for 26 AWG stranded cable is 0.5, while 24 AWG is only 0.2, and 22 AWG stranded cables require no de-rating at all.

Here are the calculations to determine overall channel length, where H=horizontal cable length, D=de-rating factor, C= total stranded cable length and T=total channel length.

For example, if you’re using 60 meters of horizontal solid category 6A cable and 40 meters of stranded 24 AWG category 6A patch cable with a 0.2 de-rating factor, the total length of the channel must be reduced to 97.5 meters. (If you prefer the actual math: total stranded cable length = [105-60]/[1 + 0.2], or 37.5, and total channel length = 60+37.5, or 97.5 meters.)  If you’re using 26 AWG stranded cable with a 0.5 de-rating, the channel length needs to be reduced to 90 meters.

PoE Makes Greater Demands on Stranded Cable Patch Cords

While stranded cable is the norm for patch cords at patching areas in the telecommunications room (TR) and at the work area (perhaps longer than 10 meters in open offices), a primary application to consider in today’s LANs warrants the use of solid patch cords: Power over Ethernet (PoE). When PoE is delivered over twisted-pair copper cable, some of the power dissipates as heat. When power dissipates as heat, the cable temperature increases. With higher insertion loss and DC resistance, stranded patch cords are more likely to exhibit degraded transmission performance at elevated temperatures.

While not typically a concern in environmentally controlled spaces like the TR, stranded patch cords could become an issue once you start connecting devices in the ceiling — think wireless access points, security cameras, LED lights, and more. In best practice, if the environment isn’t temperature controlled and the cable doesn’t have to bend much, solid cable patch cords should be used. If you do use stranded patch cords in uncontrolled environments, it’s better to keep them short (about 5 meters or less). And when it comes to higher-temperature environments, industry standards require de-rating channel length for that, too; more cables in a bundle, each generating more heat, can require even more length de-rating (though there can be An Exception to Every Rule).

Balancing the Cost Difference Between Stranded and Solid Wire

While more strands in a conductor mean greater flexibility, a higher strand count also means a higher price. To keep costs down, stranded category 6 and category 6A cable are designed to strike a balance: enough strands to maintain proper flexibility, but not so many that it creates a dramatic price difference. You don’t have to compromise performance (or standards compliance) by selecting stranded wire cable instead of solid for environments and applications for which it’s not suited. Keep your stranded cables in environmentally controlled areas that require greater flexibility, and use solid wire cable where rugged performance (and little bending) is required.

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Whether it’s patch cords, permanent links, or channels, you can configure a Fluke Networks Versiv™ tool to certify the cable's performance.

View the Versiv Configurator

Have you ever opened an appliance or peered behind your entertainment system only to be met with a tangled mess of copper wires? If you are similar to most people, then the answer is affirmative. But have you ever wondered, “What are the different types of copper wires, and how do I know which one to use?”

Fear not, fellow curious minds! This essential guide will unravel the mysteries of copper wires and equip you with the knowledge to choose the right one for any project, big or small.

Why Copper? A Shining Star in the Electrical World

Copper reigns supreme in electrical wiring due to its exceptional conductivity. This means electricity flows through it effortlessly, making it ideal for transmitting power and signals. Among the types of copper wires used, each is tailored for its specific application while maintaining these inherent qualities. Additionally, copper boasts remarkable durability, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance in various environments. The types of copper wires available cater to a wide range of industrial, commercial, and residential needs, underlining copper’s versatility and superiority in electrical applications.

Navigating the Maze: Exploring Different Types of Copper Wires

Now, let’s delve into the diverse world of copper wires. From the most significant copper wire manufacturer to the everyday homeowner, understanding these distinct types of copper wires is crucial for informed decision-making.

Solid vs. Stranded Copper Wires: Understanding the Core

The most fundamental distinction lies in the core of the wire itself. We have:

• Solid copper wire: This electrical workhorse features a single, solid strand of copper. It offers excellent conductivity and is perfect for rigidity applications like building home wiring. However, its inflexibility makes it less suitable for frequent bending or movement situations.
• Stranded copper wire: As the name suggests, this type comprises numerous thin copper strands twisted together. This construction grants it superior flexibility and bendability, making it ideal for applications like power cords, appliance wiring, and intricate electrical circuits.

Disclosing the Colourful World of Insulation: Beyond the Bare Essentials

Copper wires often come insulated with various materials, each offering unique properties:

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): The most common and cost-effective option, providing good insulation and flame resistance.
• PE (Polyethylene): Offers excellent moisture resistance and flexibility, making it suitable for outdoor applications and underground wiring.
• XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) is a superior choice for high-voltage applications due to its enhanced electrical and mechanical properties.

Considering the Gauge: Sizing Up for Success

The diameter of a copper wire, an essential characteristic among the types of copper wires, is referred to as its gauge. This seemingly simple aspect significantly impacts the wire’s current carrying capacity. Thicker wires, which are a category within the types of copper wires (lower gauge numbers), can handle higher currents, while thinner wires (higher gauge numbers) are suitable for lower currents. Choosing the appropriate gauge is crucial for ensuring safety and preventing overheating.

A Glimpse into the Specialized World: Copper Alloys and Beyond

While solid and stranded copper wires with various insulation options form the core, the world of copper wires extends further. Here are some specialised types:

• Copper alloy wires: Combining copper with other elements like tin or beryllium creates alloys with enhanced properties like strength, corrosion resistance, or improved welding characteristics.
• Copper-clad aluminium wire (CCA): A cost-effective alternative where a thin layer of copper surrounds an aluminium core. While offering decent conductivity, it’s crucial to understand its limitations compared to pure copper wires.

Rational Engineers – Leaders in Copper Wire Manufacturing

Rational Engineers stands out as India’s largest copper wire manufacturer, excelling in sourcing high-quality types of copper wires. Their commitment to resilience, futuristic manufacturing facilities, and ethical business practices establish them as the largest copper wire manufacturer and the preferred choice for stakeholders globally in the market for types of copper wires.

According to Rational Engineers, their modern manufacturing facilities, uncompromising machinery, and latest equipment position them as pioneers in the industry, consistently surpassing customer expectations with their extensive range of copper wire products.

A Powerful Alliance

With its extensive history, collaborative spirit, and focus on the future, rationality is more than just a copper producer. Its journey is intertwined with that of another industry leader, Gemini Instratech, known for its advanced Instrument Transformers.

Sharing a deep commitment to excellence in metal quality, Rational and Gemini have formed a powerful partnership. They combine their expertise and dedication to illuminate the electrical networks that power countless homes and businesses. This collaboration fuels innovation, driving progress within the industry and exploring new possibilities.

Choosing the Right Copper Wire: Your Journey to Electrical Success

With this newfound knowledge of types of copper wires, you’re well on your way to selecting the perfect one for your next project. Consulting a qualified electrician is always recommended for complex tasks or situations requiring specific expertise.

In conclusion, understanding the types of copper wires empowers you to make informed decisions, ensuring safety and optimal performance in your electrical endeavours. So, the next time you encounter a tangle of wires, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate the world of copper and choose the right one for the job!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Bare Stranded Copper Conductor. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.