What is the difference between stranded and solid core wires?
The main difference between stranded and solid core wires is in the way they are constructed.
Solid core wires are made up of a single metal core while stranded wires are made up of numerous thinner wires twisted together into an organized bundle.
Solid core wires are more rigid and can break if flexed too far or too frequently, but solid conductors will hold their shape over time and seat properly within insulation displacement connectors (IDCs) on jacks, patch panels, and connecting blocks.
Stranded cables are much more flexible and can withstand more bending; in terminations, however, those flexible strands can break or become loose over time.
In general, solid cables are better electrical conductors and provide superior, stable electrical characteristics over a wider range of frequencies.
They’re also considered more rugged and less likely to be affected by vibration or susceptible to corrosion, since they have less surface area than stranded conductors. Solid wire can also carry more current than stranded wire.