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.
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. [:)]
Check out all your info [written and videos] and you will see stranded is recommended. I use nothing but stranded.
All recommendations is to use stranded. I am not saying that you might get away with solid, but why test it.
tom
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]
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
I use only solid and love it. It may not carry as much current but it is much easier to work with.
Jim H
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
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.
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
Interesting to know that. I had been told it was the other way around.
I’ve used both on the same layout- solid for the buss lines, stranded for the feeder wires to the track and accessories. I’ve never had a problem using either[:)]
Stranded wire works best for me. It’s more flexible and easier to work with. Many problems people experience with stranded wire are because there are many different kinds of coatings (insulation) on wire and some guys use a much to heavy gauge wire with a thick industrial insulation that is difficult to work with.
BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com
I used 14 gauge stranded for my bus lines and 18 gauge solid for my 12" track feeds. I didn’t want to mess with stiff 14g solid, and I had better luck with solid wire to the bottom of GarGraves track.
Wires to my accessories are what happens to be available at the time (!). Anybody notice that the wires that Lionel is packing with recent accessories now is stranded with tinned ends rather than solid? The newer wire is larger, too.
In my opion stranded is the way to go. The heavier the gauge(the lower the wire number) the better off you’ll be. Remember you can never go too big when it comes to wires as long as it’s workable to your situation. I like 14 gauge because it is readily available in many different colors at auto parts stores. John
I prefer solid core for buss wires because it holds its shape and doesn’t tangle. It is also easier to strip the insulation back for T joints. For feeders, I prefer stranded because it flexes and pulls easier, and wraps around the buss wire easier.
Solid core AWG is slightly larger than stranded AWG so it will handle the same amperage. Voltage drop becomes a concern in runs over 50 feet and the easy thing to do is oversize it a gauge.
Hello: Solid wire is the better conductor, stranded is better for using crimp connectors, useing #12 is great for track feeders, A lot of good comment’s on this topic. As a side note, How many operator’s use a power bar with SURGE protection for the 110 volt side? Redhawk97 (30 years as an Electrical Contractor)
Either wire works in our applications:
But I do use stranded wire to get power and signal to the track from the TIU. All of my stranded wire connectors are crimped with an 0-connector instead of a spaded connector; I usually solder the wire to the crimped connect as well. ( A friend has advised on the probability of “bad” wire connections in multi-wire applications)
However, it is hard to use stranded wire from the AIUs to the Z switch machines.
As both the switch machines and AIUs use small screw-down connectors that will challenge a stranded wire.
Alan
I have always used a power bar with surge protection. The Lionel TMCC Manual suggests that you use a power bar in the Appendix. [^] And since, AEP can’t keep the power flowing in Buckeye Land, [:(] it seems a very prudent piece of equipment to have in place.[:)]
Outside I have ground faults for the LGB layout.
If Roy says it is okay to use stranded, it’s okay to use stranded. The guy knows his stuff.
The is another issue related to this topic that should be touched on, how big is your transformer, or how many amps can it deliver? Too light a wire and the wire solid or stranded becomes a fuse. If you are using a Lionel TPC 300/400 and you have 2 180 watt power houses, this is about 18 amps, then the primary distribution to your track needs to be 14 gauge or heavier. I use 14 gauge as the primary and 18 gauge feeders every 6 feet. On the 70 feet long track loops there is no power drop.
-ck