Re: [Euro Lights][Wiring]

[gforbess@ibm.net (Gordon Forbess)]

On Sun, 13 Jun 1999 21:02:44 -0700, Kevin <aventari@cts.com> wrote:

>I got this in AP Physics as well. Multistranded is better for flow becaise
>of surface area. 
>I'm sure they use solid in houses because its _cheaper_!

Sorry to disagree, but solid conductors do offer less resistance to
the flow of current.  And, by Ohm's law, current = voltage divided by
the resistance.  If voltage is assumed a constant 12 volts, less
resistance means current flow is greater.

Resistance in a piece of wire increases directly in proportion to
length and decreases directly in proportion to the cross sectional
area.  Think about a cross section of a piece of solid wire versus
that of a stranded.  There are no air gaps in the solid conductor,
meaning the cross sectional area is maximized within the constraint of
the circle (the AWG size).  A cross section of a stranded conductor
will have air spaces.

Many other factors can influence resistance in wire: the material used
for the conductor, ambient temperature, whether it is tinned or not,
jacketed or bare, etc.  We are talking about a 12v DC lighting
circuit, not RF signals, so surface area isn't in the equation.

Gordon
75 Mk1/Drake 1.98v
Army Nuclear Weapons Electronics Specialist 1969-72

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