On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:04:14 -0800, David Nebenzahl
wrote:

On 11/12/2009 7:07 PM Existential Angst spake thus:

Apropos of the recent thread on wire nutting stranded with solid, are there
any inherent advantages of one over the other? #14-#10.

Stranded is more flexible, an advantage if you have to pull long runs in
bends in EMT, but I find it a pain when connecting outlets, etc.

Yes and yes.

Stranded can be dicey-er with nicks, missing strands.

Only missing strands if one cuts them off.

But, stranded might give more contact area under screws, in breakers, etc.

Not an issue.

At HD, stranded is $5 more on 500 ft coil of 14 and 12: $25 to $30, and $40
to $45.

You seem to have pretty well covered all the properties and pros and
cons of solid vs. stranded.

BX/romex comes which way? Both?

Solid only. No need to snake the wires through anything, so no need for
stranded wire here.

Actually CMPCT-CU conductors in aluminum flex (BX ) cable IS
available. CMPCT-CU is otherwize known as compact copper, or stranded
wire. as per ASTM b-8

Who uses what and when?

The stranded stuff is used where flexability is required - or where
vibration is a problem. You won't find it at the "borg" but I do have
some in my garage.

You pretty well said it yourself:

o Use stranded wire when pulling through conduit.
o Use solid wire otherwise.