Existential Angst wrote:


It depends on how the NEC defines gauge of a wire.

If it accurately sums the cross sectional area of each strand, so that this
sum is equal to the CSA of solid, then the ampacity should be very nearly
equal. But the diameter of the stranded would be slightly bigger -- because
of the inherent inefficient of "packing circles" -- ie, gaps between
non-touching parts of a circle.

If the NEC determines gauge based on diameter, then stranded will have less
ampacity than solid, for the same circle-packing reason -- less net CSA of
copper.

So, how DOES the NEC define "gauge"?

I believe the NEC uses AWG, which uses total cross section.