Wire, Solid or strand

[Anonymous]

Speaker wire is typically smaller (for the cheapskates). Depending on the size it'd be good for either bus or feeder wires. I used a bunch of the thinner stuff for feeders on my layout.

A good wire for bus is the wire for low voltage outdoor lights. It's available up to 12 ga., flexible, and cheap.

Mark in Utah

[Anonymous]

I'm going to throw some more wire in the fire.... Speaker wire? Anyone ever use it? You can get it down to 12ga.....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCasey


On copper wire, the current is carried on the free electrons which reside on the outside circumference of the wire. Stranded wire has a larger surface area for the same gauge as solid because of the multiple strands, therefore a larger current carrying capability.

John,

That's not quite correct.

DC current is carried throughout the entire cross-sectional area of a conductor.

AC current, because of the inductance of the conductor, carries more current on the outside surface of the wire than inside. As the operating frequency goes up, this effect becomes more pronounced.

At our frequencies we can consider DCC as DC current.

As for stranded vs. solid wire.....

The answer is: It depends!

Stranded is more flexible, but more susceptable to corrosion problems.

Solid is cheaper and more resistant to corrosion.

If you're installing wire that will never need to flex, solid works great. Whis would apply to wiring tortoise machines, and track feeders.

If you're installing wire that has to flex over time, such as to your DC supply or to trucks in a locomotive, then stranded is the way to go.

If you're having problems with your track feeders breaking off as you train them into position after soldering them on, then stranded may be the way to go.

Both types of wire have their purpose, and a good technician will have an assortment of both.

Mark in Utah

[samgolden]

When I learned my Electrical/electronics skills, the Skin effect, was for High Frequency current. I don't think that the frequency of the DCC signal is high enough to be effected by the difference between Solid or Stranded wire. Solid wire is normally used where the wire is installed, and won't be subjected to being moved a lot or vibration. Stranded wire is used where there may be movement, vibration or other disturbances. Use what you have or can get cheap. I prefer the solid wire to solder to my track. No loose strands to worry about. My turnouts are wired with #24 wire with a home built CD power pack, and I can operate 4 turnouts at the same time, in my yard tracks.

Sam

[claycts]

Thanks again, Wiring 101 at it's best! RandyR I agree with you and the others on the solid to the tracks. I have 1100 ft of #12 Solid and 950ft of 2/0, will not use that, a little to heavy [:D]
I am trying to sell off this wire to a contractor so I can get some strabded for the buss.
I am going to use the #18 for the coil machines and #20 for the others. Also will use the #20 for the panels lights. Trying to color code every thing and will be using Euro terminal blocks for connections.
I may use "POLISH BARRIER STRIPS" also. That is a drilled piece of lattice with #8-32 screws, nuts through them. Lattice keeps the screws from falling on the floor.[:D]

[grayfox1119]

For the amount of "flea" power we use in MRR'g, fiest off, it makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE whether you use stranded or solid wire. As many of the people stated already, it is a matter of personal choice. I have a large amount of #10 and #12 and #14 gauge wire left over from wiring projects around the house over the past 38 years, so I will use a heavy buss wire, #10 if I have enough. This is of course all solid core wire. I much prefer to use SOLID core wire for track feeders. As Randy mentioned already, it is much easier to solder to tracks. If you use stranded, be very careful that you don't have one little strand hanging loose. It can cause you a lot of grief trying to find a short if it should touch something it shouldn't. You don't have that problem with solid core wire. Having said that, you must be careful not to bend solid core wire too many times back and forth or it will break, stranded wire is much more forgiving in this area.

[JCasey]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Medina1128

JCasey sure brought back some memories about the current thing and multiple strands. USAF basic electronics ~ Sheppard AFB, TX 1973; 1977

Marlon,
USCG Electronics Technician - 1969-1973

[Adelie]

I'm with Randy on this...I use #12 stranded for the bus. It is much easier to pull, and mine gets supported every 16" (every beam), so the additional sag is not a problem. For feeders, I prefer solid for the same reason mentioned (easier soldering), but I've used stranded alarm wire, too. Normally, feeders are fairly short so I wouldn't get hung up on the theoretical "optimum" wire.

[Seamonster]

For my [2c] on stranded vs. solid, if its going to be subjected to a lot of bending during or after installation, use stranded, otherwise it's just a matter of preference. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Stranded is more flexible and sags and requires more support whereas solid stays in place better. If you nick solid wire stripping off the insulation, it could break at that point later on and give you an open circuit that could be very hard to find. When terminating stranded wire, the strands need to be tightly twisted together or they could fray and a tiny strand could short out to the adjacent terminal. Tinning the strands with solder to "glue" them together helps prevent this.

Re telephone wire. MisterBeasley, that designation "24-2" probably means "two pairs, 24 gauge" wire. That's too light for twin-coil turnouts, maybe okay for Tortoises and signals if the distance isn't too great. The type of telephone wire used for wiring inside walls which has either red and green conductors or red, green, yellow and black conductors is normally #20 gauge.

[MisterBeasley]

I'm using phone wire to connect turnouts and signals. Home Depot has hundred-foot rolls of 4-conductor (called 24-2, because I guess they rate phone wire in pairs) cable for under 9 bucks. That's much cheaper and cleaner than running individual wires.

[rrinker]

I do it just the opposite - my #12 bus is stranded, it's a lot easier to pull than #12 solid. And my feeders are solid - a lot easier to solder to the track.
Either works, I just think my way is a little easier to work with.

--Randy

[Medina1128]

JCasey sure brought back some memories about the current thing and multiple strands. USAF basic electronics ~ Sheppard AFB, TX 1973; 1977

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCasey

Hey George,
On copper wire, the current is carried on the free electrons which reside on the outside circumference of the wire. Stranded wire has a larger surface area for the same gauge as solid because of the multiple strands, therefore a larger current carrying capability. If we are talking about low current, as we are with DCC, solid wire is adequate. However, Marlon's comment about flexability is certainly accurate. Stranded wire is more flexable than solid. Just my 2 cents.
John

Picked one to quote BUT all answers I thank you. This is a point I would have never came across. Using this analisys that would mean a PERFECT system would be STranded buss and Stranded Feeder. A 2nd place would be Stranded buss with a soild feeder. The worst case is solid, solid. Since I am working with 600 ft of track in this phase I will go Stranded, Stranded. I can use the phone wire to fix the office phone system LOL.[:D]
This is why i like the forum, ask a question, get a solid answer, Thanks All
George P.

[Javern]

both work well, use what you can get the best deal on and/or whatever you already have

[Anonymous]

This is a Personal Choice, I prefer solid for both, as do others. but some prefer stranded for both or a mix. I say experiment with each way and see what you like best, if soldering solid feels better to you than stranded, then go solid, otherwise do the Stranded.

Like I said, this is all really just a personal choice.

[JCasey]

Hey George,
On copper wire, the current is carried on the free electrons which reside on the outside circumference of the wire. Stranded wire has a larger surface area for the same gauge as solid because of the multiple strands, therefore a larger current carrying capability. If we are talking about low current, as we are with DCC, solid wire is adequate. However, Marlon's comment about flexability is certainly accurate. Stranded wire is more flexable than solid. Just my 2 cents.
John

[IRONROOSTER]

This seems to be a preference thing. There have been threads on this in the past with all sorts of tables and calculations etc. Personally I prefer using solid wire. This page http://www.wiringfordcc.com/trakwire.htm has information on it, the difference between solid and stranded is small enough that you can use either one.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Use the solid that you have...I did on my last layout, no broken wires and I ran 100's of feet....My preference is for stranded because it is easier to work and I just like it, but when I have to pay a lot more for the stranded, solid is just fine.

Some guys run bare busses, not me...My common ground, however, is bare (not DCC).

[Medina1128]

I never much cared for solid wire. A few bends, and it breaks, whereas, stranded wire can move around more WITHOUT breaking.

[claycts]

I searched the forum and did not see the answer. From what I remember:
Buss is SOILD #12 or #14
Feeders Stranded #18 or #22
HO DCC.
I have a LOT of solid telephone wire (800 ft) I was going to use this for the soldered feeders.
ALSO
BUSS, covered or bare?
Thanks folks
George P.