Bennett Price wrote:
The Litz effect, where more current flows on the perimeter of a wire
than in its core, only really matters at high frequencies; at 60Hz it
is virtually unmeasurable.

Just take care that all the strands are twisted together and under the
retaining screw. You could solder the strands together to be sure or
put them into a crimped terminal.

The capacity of 14G stranded and solid is identical. But check the
load; if it is a hot water heater 14 might not be nearly big enough.

That's what happens when the college physics class was 40 years ago.
:-)


Joseph Meehan wrote:
hankB wrote:

I have an outdoor receptacle (B)that is connected to a GFI outdoor
receptacle (A) via a shielded extension cord-14?.B got wet, corrosion
set in and I plan to replace it.I have been told that an outdoor
solid wire from A to B would be better and that if I used a braided
wire unless ALL the strands are securely attached it might conduct
but not be able to handle a heavy load such as an 120 V electric
water heater. True? Is there a way I can measure whether the braided
wire is fully conductive


I don't know what a "a shielded extension cord-14" is and how it
might be properly used in this situation.

All else being equal a stranded cable can carry more current
than a single wire of the same gauge. The flow of electricity is
primarily around the outside of a wire and in a stranded cable there
is more of that outside area.

What are you hooking up here? It sounds like the whole plan is
wrong from the start. I sure sounds like you are not following code
from the start. What kind of water heater are you connecting to an
extension cord? Is it a fixed appliance or portable.?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit