signal path wiring

[WK3K]

Thanks for the quick replies! I guess a better question probably would have been what's the advantage of solid vs stranded wire?

W

[Grainger49]

Solid is smaller than stranded of the same gauge.  It "forms" well and stranded can have strands can short from terminal to terminal. 

[fullheadofnothing]

Stranded is a pain to work with, and is really only useful if you will be subjecting the wire to mechanical stress, i.e. plugging and unplugging. If it's going to sit in one place, like inside an amp, use solid. It's easier to work with, solders better, doesn't have stray strands to poke out and screw things up.

Also, gauge is gauge, regardless of construction.

[Grainger49]

I think Joshua misread my first sentence.

Klein and Ideal wire strippers have different places to strip solid and stranded wire.  It is because to keep the same current capability stranded has to be a larger diameter.  That makes it harder to poke into tube pins and terminals.

[fullheadofnothing]

After some research, I see Grainger is right on this one. Stranded is calculated as equivalent cross section.

[Chris]

Well, you DO call yourself "fullheadofnothing"....         just teasin' ya....

[Grainger49]

Well, Joshuah is right, gauge is gauge.  Gauge is the ampacity of the wire.  In stranded it takes a larger diameter because of the spacing of strands. 

[Chris]

Yeah, interesting.... I didnt know this until you 2 were discussing it.. Thanks