Stranded Bare Copper Wire

There are many types of bare copper wire, the common types being soft-drawn bare copper wire, hard-drawn bare copper wire, and stranded bare copper wire. Soft-drawn bare copper wire and hard-drawn bare copper wire differ in their production. Each uses a different method of drawing solid copper into the shape of a wire, and soft-drawn copper is also applied with a heat treatment to increase its durability when bent. The third type of copper wire is stranded wire, which is made up of a large bundle of copper wires bound together. All three types of bare copper can conduct the same amount of electricity; the difference lies in the type of installation and the user’s preference. The main focus of this article is on stranded bare copper wire.

What is a stranded bare copper wire?

Stranded wire is realized by stranding a single wire around the stranded shaft with equal angular speed rotation and stranded wire with uniform forward motion. Commonly used copper, aluminum, copper, and aluminum wire can be stranded into a variety of different specifications cross-sections and different types of electrical wire and cable. Stranded bare copper wire, on the other hand, is two or more bare copper wires stranded together.

What is the principle of a stranded wire?

When the copper wire through the stranding machine on the bow, by the bow through the circular motion so that the single copper wire spiral winding together; stranded copper wire for different specifications of the different number of copper wire in a certain order and stranding distance stranded together into a larger diameter conductor, this stranded conductor than the same diameter of a single copper wire is much softer, making the wire its bending performance is also better. Single wire along the direction of the stranded wire every other fixed distance, the fixed distance between the stranded wire pitch (referred to as the stranding distance). Another definition of the stranding distance is the stranded wire body along the stranding axis after every 360 degrees of rotation of the vertical distance of its forward.

Why is copper wire stranded?

Using multiple strands of thinner copper wire bundled together will give the wire more movement and bendability, allowing the wire to become more flexible.

Why is copper used as a conductor?

Copper is the second best electrical conductor after silver and is widely used worldwide in the manufacture of electrical products. It also has high thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion. This makes the metal durable over time, even under extreme conditions. In addition, copper has ductility and malleability properties that make it easy to twist and turn into different shapes and sizes. Depending on the requirements, copper wire can be found in braided, stranded, and solid core forms.

Comparison of bare copper wire and bare copper stranded wire

Bare copper wire is the most common type of copper wire generally used for grounding and is also referred to as grounding wire. Therefore, this type of copper wire is not protected by any coating or covering and is called bare copper wire.

Stranded bare copper wire, on the other hand, is two or more bare copper wires stranded together. The spiral stranding of cable cores is called stranding; the spiral stranding of 2 cores is called double stranding or pair stranding; the spiral stranding of 3 cores is called triple stranding or triple stranding group; the symmetrical spiral stranding of 4 cores is called star stranding pair or star stranding group. The main role of the core stranding in addition to optimizing the combination of cores (each core line equal stress, round structure, change the distribution capacitance), there is a symmetrical core in the transmission of different directions of the current, with the role of offsetting the magnetic field generated, which is very beneficial to signal transmission. Adding metal or non-metallic conductors outside the stranded wire group, called shielding, is mainly based on anti-interference or balanced electric field considerations. Cable cores, in addition to the above-stranded wire group, there are cable stranding methods not listed here.

What are the benefits of Bare Copper Wire?

1. After silver, copper wire is the best conductor of electricity, making it popular in the electrical industry. It can handle huge loads of electricity without damage, which helps prevent overloading issues in heavy electrical applications. Moreover, it also has high heat resistance beneficial in extreme situations.
2. Due to ductility and malleability, it can be made thinner than a single strand of human hair and also twist & bend into any desired shapes and sizes. The wire is easy to handle and can reach constricted areas without being damaged or broken.
3. Bare copper wire is super flexible and possesses high electrical and thermal conductivity. It is cheaper than silver and can be used in manufacturing, electrical, marine, and telecom industries.
4. It is safe and reliable to use. Copper wire has a high melting point; as a result, it can withstand continuous high temperatures without getting melted. This property can prevent unexpected accidents saving life and money.
5. Unlike other metal wires, bare copper wire is durable and long-lasting. It does not become loose with time and needs frequent repair, making it easy to work without unnecessary problems.
6. Bare copper wire is always compatible with in-home usage. Most electrical appliances use copper wire, so it is important to use bare copper wire for home wiring. Otherwise, it can lead to fatal accidents if other metal wire is used as wiring.
7. Many metals tend to tear off in high humidity and wet conditions. However, a bare copper wire having high corrosion resistance can withstand extreme humid and wet conditions.

What are the advantages of stranded bare copper wire?

The bare copper stranded wire is more flexible, making it ideal for connecting electronic components in tight spaces or twisting and bending to fit complex geometries. It is more malleable and will not split or cut.

What is stranded bare copper wire used for?

Stranded bare copper wire for overhead transmission and distribution, for grounding electrical systems where high conductivity and flexibility are required. It is also suitable for many other applications. Generally not suited for underground applications or harsh environments.

What are the differences between stranded and solid wire?

For twisted copper cables, the terms “stranded” and “solid” refer to the actual structure of the copper conductors in the cable, and the names themselves clearly distinguish them.

The first difference between stranded and solid cable is how they are manufactured: the terms stranded and solid cable refers to the structure of the copper conductors within the cable. Each of the eight copper conductors in a stranded cable comprises several smaller “strands” coiled together in a spiral, much like a rope. Stranded cable is usually designated by two numbers, the first representing the number of strands and the second representing the gauge.

For example, 7X32 (sometimes written as 7/32) indicates a conductor with seven strands of 32 AWG wire. Each of the eight conductors in a solid cable is made up of one larger gauge wire. Solid wire uses only one gauge number to indicate the size of the conductor, such as 24 AWG. Whether the cable is a single, double, or quad pair, the gauge of the solid conductor is the gauge of the cable. For stranded and solid cables within the same category, such as Category 5e, 6, or 6A wire, it seems confusing to have one gauge size designate it. You need to remember that whether the wire consists of multiple strands of stranded wire or one solid wire, the final overall size of that wire is the same. In other words, a 24 AWG cable is still a 24 AWG cable.

The second difference is flexibility. Stranded cables are more flexible and can withstand more bending; however, at termination, these flexible strands can break or become loose over time. Solid wires are stiffer and break if bent too far or too often. Still, solid conductors will hold their shape over time and sit properly in the insulation displacement connectors (IDCs) of sockets, patch panels, and connection blocks.

The most significant difference between stranded and solid cable is performance. Because the insertion loss is higher for higher gauge numbers (thinner) than for lower gauge numbers (thicker), a stranded wire has 20% to 50% greater attenuation than solid copper wire (20% for 24 AWG and 50% for 26 AWG). Also, because the stranded wire is not all copper in cross-section (air is present inside), it has a higher DC resistance than solid wire. Solid wire is a better current conductor, providing excellent, stable electrical characteristics over a wider frequency range. Because they have a smaller surface area than stranded wires, they are also considered more robust and less susceptible to vibration or corrosion.

Where to buy stranded bare copper wire?

Is the above inspiring for you to buy electrical cables? Are you laying cables on the walls of your home? Consider solid cable as your choice. Are you running a cable from your router or patch panel to your terminal equipment? Then choose stranded bare copper wire as your cable of choice. Pure solid copper and pure stranded cable are not the same. Pure solid copper and pure stranded copper will provide you with the best performance, and we have been a leading business wholesaler of high-quality standard and custom wire and cable. So, if you want to buy high-quality stranded bare copper wire or any other kind of wire and cable, feel free to contact us and kickoff you’re your project right now!