Submitted by Affectionate_Cronut t3_ztl8bq in DIY
MyOtherAcctsAPorsche t1_j1fs8j9 wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Can I install this single pole switch in place of the dimmer switch that was here? by Affectionate_Cronut
So you guys use solid wires? They have not been used where I live for decades... Only very old cables are still solid, the kind wrapped in cloth
[deleted] t1_j1fsq58 wrote
[deleted]
Warmstar219 t1_j1geufr wrote
Where the heck is that? Solid is much safer for mains wiring.
MyOtherAcctsAPorsche t1_j1hrxdq wrote
I live in Argentina. What makes them safer?
Warmstar219 t1_j1hwloy wrote
Solid core, while less flexible, has a lower surface area. Firstly, this makes them more resistant to corrosion. Second, they have a lower "dissipation", or voltage drop for a given length, as the skin effect in multiple strands increases impedance. Overall, this makes solid core less likely to fail and cause fires in static applications like home wiring.
brotherm00se t1_j1i9fax wrote
skin depth is a function of frequency, not cross sectional area.
the reason stranded conductors have higher impedance at the same guage is because they have a smaller cross sectional area.
to illustrate: a pile of smaller circles can never completely fill a circle.
Warmstar219 t1_j1idklz wrote
Yeah, that's more or less what I was trying to say. Not that the skin depth is different, but the way it's distributed in space is different in stranded, especially at higher frequency. E.g. http://www.bdloops.com/solid_vs_stranded_loop_wire.html
ZAFJB t1_j1ie1w4 wrote
Skin effect utterly meaningless at low voltages in domestic and industrial systems. It is only significant in very high voltage long distance reticulation.
GirchyGirchy t1_j1ft5km wrote
That’s the standard in the US.
glahtiguy t1_j1gdhy9 wrote
Higher currant capacity, 120v system so we pull more amps more frequently.
RedCerealBox t1_j1h4ssf wrote
220v European and the regulations here are solid wire in all domestic and industrial installations. After the plug you can use stranded
ZAFJB t1_j1h936u wrote
>currant
How many grapes per hour?
*current.
glahtiguy t1_j1ihj8j wrote
A half bushel per league on a good day. Auto correct favors juice over juice apparently.
SpaceCadetStumpy t1_j1h3pxv wrote
In California at least, stranded is used only inside conduit for most gauges of wire, so it's seen more in non-residential. In residential, you use solid for most wiring. Stranded would only be used when you're doing things like a run that goes underground to a secondary building on the property (stranded of whatever size is needed to feed the sub panel) since you'd be running underground conduit, incoming lines, or really low gauge wires like alarms or speakers.
ZAFJB t1_j1h96o4 wrote
Underground conduit is rare. Armoured cable is far more common.
Typh00nYTG t1_j1ioxau wrote
In residential it's rare. On utility sites it's used quite commonly for power and comms between settings and buildings. We only use stranded for that because there may be lots of bends in the conduit from point A to B. Specifically where it has to be in conduit and in Class 1 Div II areas.
ZAFJB t1_j1h8zyj wrote
In many countries solid wire is used. Generally multi strand is only used if wires are pulled through conduits.
In domestic builds conduits are used less frequently.
MyOtherAcctsAPorsche t1_j1hrty6 wrote
What do you use if not conduits? We use them here
ZAFJB t1_j1hs5hj wrote
Direct bury armoured cable.
Underground conduits tend to fill up with water.
MyOtherAcctsAPorsche t1_j1hw43z wrote
Ah, ok, you mean underground ones. We use conduits in the wall, either metal tubes, or plastic corrugated conduit, I thought you meant those.
ZAFJB t1_j1ig7gf wrote
In most construction, wiring now goes in the cavity in walls.
In some places like the UK, wiring can be direclty rendered in the wall.
MyOtherAcctsAPorsche t1_j1iikzj wrote
We make houses out of solid brick, or brick that, while hollow, you can't pass wires through. The wall is built, then a channel for the plastic conduit is carved into it.
This is standard: https://i.imgur.com/rZdWBD9.png
SurpriseFelatio t1_j1i1rdu wrote
In the US, we pretty much only use solid wire (Romex) in residential
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments