multi or single strand cable?

[bigegg]

I am still sorting my shed...


2.5mm single core.
I have some multistrand, some solid core.

beyond the added flexibility, which I assume aids or possibly hampers feeding through awkward spaces, what's the difference?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Don't use solid core on anything that is prone to vibration or movement of the cable once installed.

So generally, solid core for the wall mounted sockets etc.
Stranded for anything with a plug on it, anything that is going to be moved, anything with moving parts.

 

[bigegg]

Don't use solid core on anything that is prone to vibration or movement of the cable once installed.

So generally, solid core for the wall mounted sockets etc.
Stranded for anything with a plug on it, anything that is going to be moved, anything with moving parts.

so why have solid core at all? what's the benefits?

 

[8ob]

so why have solid core at all? what's the benefits?

Because of our favourite word, "cheap"

Bob

 

[bigegg]

Because of our favourite word, "cheap"

Bob

ah.

I should remember rule#3 : any question that starts with the word "why" invariably has the answer "money"


Ive never bought cable from a shop, so have no idea about costs

 

[hotponyshoes]

Solid is also less prone to corrosion.
On a stranded cable moisture getting to one end of it can be wicked up the cable causing each individual core to corrode.

Solid core has a tighter layer of insulation which helps. Plus the corrosion around 1 piece of solid is less surface area (so less metal lost) than a small depth of corrosion on many strands.

 

[brightspark]

solid cores are better at the terminations because multi stranded separates when screwed up giving half its current carrying capacity and can burn out

 

[bigegg]

solid cores are better at the terminations because multi stranded separates when screwed up giving half its current carrying capacity and can burn out

I've got into the habit of either crimping with bootlace ferrules or tinning.

is this wrong? better?

 

[J1nx]

Yes, ferrules on small stranded cable.

 

[Kayos]

I use ferrules putting 2 wires into the tiny connectors on boilers

I always thought stranded v single was to do with size on fixed wiring? I’ve only seen solid 10mm on newer stuff but the old black and red was stranded

 

[AndersK]

I've got into the habit of either crimping with bootlace ferrules or tinning.

is this wrong? better?

I was taught in school not to tin cables to be it in a screw connector. Reason, tin creeps and will eventually get loose.
I've never seen that as a problem though. All I have encountered with tinned ends had the cable broken before it got loose anyway.

 

[RWD3M]

I do a fair bit of conduit work and once bought a couple of reels of single strand 2.5mm from Screwfix without realising. Absolutely hopeless for pulling. Fair play to Screwfix mind you, they refunded me and I popped round the corner to Toolstation for replacements.

 

[bigegg]

I've relegated the solid core to the "crafting" bin

bus bars for a string of LEDs in parallel was the first job, but also for some wirework stems for copper roses.