Solid or Stranded wire?

[IRONROOSTER]

My understanding is that there is slightly less resistance and thus less voltage drop with solid vs stranded. But the difference isn't enough to worry about. I use solid wire 18awg and find it very easy to use and solder to the track. I think that what ever you find easiest to work with is the way to go.
Enjoy
Paul

[ben10ben]

Keep in mind that solid will break if it's bent around too much. It's fine for most applications, but, if working in a place that's going to involve the wire moving a lot, don't use anything but stranded.

[wrmcclellan]

Solid and stranded copper wire of the same American Wire Gage (AWG) size (circular mils of copper) carries the same current.

Stranded is easier to run and bend.

BTW - in terms of strict radio theory, solid wire is a better conveyor of high frequency signals. At the levels we work at it is irrelevant.

Regards,
Roy

[jimhaleyscomet]

I use only solid and love it. It may not carry as much current but it is much easier to work with.

Jim H

[spankybird]

The true of the fact is most of my layout is done with solid wire. When I added DCS, I was ready to redo it with stranded, but I tried it first and it worked, so it sayed. I still have the big roll of stranded wire.

tom

[Buckeye Riveter]

Boy I'm glad you guys went with stranded wire. [:D] I just came home with over $50.00 of stranded wire for my rewire and layout expansion. [8]

[spankybird]

All recommendations is to use stranded. I am not saying that you might get away with solid, but why test it.

tom

[ChiefEagles]

Check out all your info [written and videos] and you will see stranded is recommended. I use nothing but stranded.

[Anonymous]

HI, Very timely ? I just returned from the train store & 2 hardware stores & all they had was stranded. I was looking for solid, it is so much easier to work with especially getting it through the holes on the TIU connectors & the older lockons. [:)]

[pbjwilson]

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I'm still in the dark regarding this. Is one better than the other for specific operations. I tend to use stranded wire for track feeders and solid for accessories. Any opinions?
I was told that stranded transmits better and cooler??????
I prefer solid for hooking up accessories because it's easier to bend and holds the bend. Thanks for your responses.