The basic difference between stranded wires and solid wires is that one is more flexible than the other. However, both have their own pros and cons, some of which we’ll discuss below.
With so many different varieties of wires available in the market, you might be confused about which type of wire is best to use. If you’re facing such a dilemma, read this article to get a better idea about stranded and solid speaker wires and which is better to use.
What Are Solid Wires?
Solid wires have a solid core. There is only one strand of wire in this type with an outer covering that is not conducive to insulation. The situation where solid wires are ideal is when you use them for electrical wiring at home. It is safer in cases where you don’t have to twist and flex the wire regularly. Solid wires also come at a lower cost than stranded wires.
Compared to stranded wires, solid wires are pretty heavy and thick. Hence, they are great for outdoor use and have a high tolerance to wear and tear. These kinds of wires are highly durable so they can withstand bad weather conditions as well. You’ll see these wires being used to transfer high voltage across cities.
What Are Stranded Wires?
Stranded wires consist of a few thin wires intertwined into a twisted strand. They think it makes them more flexible for use in cramped places.
Because of its high level of malleability, stranded wires are immune to twisting and flexing more than solid wires. Typically, stranded wires are used for indoor electronics, such as speaker wires and circuit boards.
Stranded vs. Solid Speaker Wire
Power distance-wise:
When it comes to powering long distances, solid wires do a much better job. Because they have less tendency for current dissipation, solid cables are widely used for long-distance electricity transfer.
When it comes to stranded wires, they are mainly only used indoors or for very short distances. If you need to install circuit boards or connect some electrical devices around the house, stranded wires are the best options.
The Capacity Of The Current:
Solid wires have more strength to carry more current as compared to stranded wires. Since the thickness of a solid wire is more than stranded wires, there is less room for dissipation.
Hence, in situations where you need a highly durable and robust wire, a solid wire is recommended.
Flexibility:
Stranded wires are much more ideal when it comes to routing and other intricate wiring in small spaces. Since solid cables are very thick, they are not the best type of wire to use if you need to mold the direction of the wire.
Stranded wires are also able to sustain more bends and twists because of their higher vibration tolerance than solid wires, which is why they are better for in-house wiring, especially when it comes to electrical deliveries and appliances.
Cost:
Solid wires cost less than stranded wires, so if your situation calls for a low-budget wire, then solid wires are your better choice.
Solid Wire Pros & Cons
Pros:
- They are durable and malleable, making it easy to twist and flex the cables as much as possible without causing any damage or interruptions in the current flow inside the cable.
- Routing is so much easier with stranded wires because they are super flexible.
- All stranded wires are able to withstand more vibrations than solid wires, which makes them ideal for use in intricate spaces.
Cons:
- Attended cables are more expensive than solid cables
- They are more likely to fluctuate in current delivery and may falter quickly because of current dissipation.
Stranded Wire Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Solid cables are incredibly durable even in harsh weather conditions. They have a rock-solid core that stays uninterrupted even with heavy movement.
- They are low cost and more affordable, and stranded wires
- They are more compact compared to solid wires
- Solid wires can carry more current load than stranded cables.
Cons:
- Solid wires cannot withstand much vibration
- They are prone to wear and tear easily if there is too much flexing of the wires.
Conclusion
So which type of speaker wire is better? The honest answer is that there is no correct answer to this question. Whichever you deem is best for use will depend highly on the situation where you need to use the wires.