Wire strand count
- Thread starter Grimmster
- Start date
sunshine_eggo
Happy Breffast!
Depends on the application. Generally, the higher strand counts are more flexible, easier to crimp and can generally yield better connections.
It's details like this that I wish YouTubers would explain more.
From all my reading it sounds like fewer strands are easier to crimp and generally have better results. Also with the higher strand counts they tend to be tinned, which is not recommended for crimping. But for screw terminals, higher strand count is better.
From all my reading it sounds like fewer strands are easier to crimp and generally have better results. Also with the higher strand counts they tend to be tinned, which is not recommended for crimping. But for screw terminals, higher strand count is better.
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hwy17
Anti-Solar Enthusiast
Lower strands for anything in a stationary/fixed installation for me. Those hairy ones make me feel nauseous at the thought of how easy they get strays.
featherlite
Solar Enthusiast
The manual for the Victron 100/50 MPPT controller says:
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
chuckle... funny that no one mentions if used for AC or DC.
AC uses Coarse Strand or solid copper.
Most people use "Welding Grade" wire for battery to inverter which is Very Fine Copper wire, Marine applications people use Tinned wire for obvious reasons.
Example, Southwires Royal Excelene Welding Cable: 1/0 has 1026 strands, 2/0 has 1254 strands, and 4/0 has 2052 strands.
cabletechsupport.southwire.com
AC uses Coarse Strand or solid copper.
Most people use "Welding Grade" wire for battery to inverter which is Very Fine Copper wire, Marine applications people use Tinned wire for obvious reasons.
Example, Southwires Royal Excelene Welding Cable: 1/0 has 1026 strands, 2/0 has 1254 strands, and 4/0 has 2052 strands.
Flexible Cord & Welding SPEC 70305
cabletechsupport.southwire.com
littleharbor2
Solar Addict
You definitely don't want to try bending 19 strand, 4/0 cable by hand. I was trying to bend some 2/0 low strand count cable the other day. It just doesn't like bending. Not to mention the strain it puts on terminals if you rely on the nut and washer to get the final bend to flush up to the battery terminal.
As you note a lot of it has to do with the terminals you connect to. Also there is whether being flexible is a needed thing or not. This is why ferrules came into use whn using certain wire to terminal. When it comes to tinned wire (marine use) I have grown suspicious of the quality, especially that wire sold from China.
Plus which you also need to keep track of the insulation covering of the wire. There is quite the range.
I used some THNN 19 strand wire for my MPPT. Worked well there since the input size was limited. Bending it however was more than interesting and the topic of another thread.
I opted for marine grade wire for my conduit. While a little larger in diameter it is much more flexible.
I opted for marine grade wire for my conduit. While a little larger in diameter it is much more flexible.
wildbillpdx
Solar Enthusiast
This brings up a similar question for me. I’ve been reading the manual for my soon to arrive EG4 6000ex all-in-one so that I can connect the AC in from my main panel. The manual says this:
I ordered some 8 AWG Romex and a double pole breaker from HomeDepot and now I’m wondering if it’s going to work for the input. The listing says “stranded” but doesn’t say “fine.”
CAUTION! There are two sets of terminal blocks, one for input and the other for output. While the terminals are marked “IN” and “OUT”, double check to ensure wires throughout the system are connected and phased correctly. Use fine stranded 90C rated wiring of the correct type based on code requirements.
I ordered some 8 AWG Romex and a double pole breaker from HomeDepot and now I’m wondering if it’s going to work for the input. The listing says “stranded” but doesn’t say “fine.”
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