Types of Copper Wire
Copper wire falls into three categories: solid core, stranded, and flexible. Solid core or single-strand copper is made of one solid piece of metal and is usually coated with plastic or rubber insulation. Stranded copper consists of multiple strands of thin copper twisted together in a single cable and insulated with plastic sheathing. Finally, flexible copper is designed for use in tight spaces or where frequent movement or vibration would cause other wires to break down over time. Both stranded and flexible wires are usually coated with insulation for added protection.
Identifying Solid Core Copper Wires
Solid core wires are identifiable by two main characteristics – insulation color and shape. Insulation on solid core wires will be either black or white, depending on when it was manufactured; older wiring may have black insulation, while newer wiring will typically include white insulation. Additionally, solid core wires will typically be round in cross-section instead of flat like stranded or flexible wires.
Identifying Stranded & Flexible Copper Wires
Stranded and flexible wires are identifiable by their unique flat cross-section shape and their brittle texture when bent repeatedly; solid core wires will not have this same texture because they are composed entirely of metal. Additionally, the outer sheath on stranded and flexible wires will typically be thicker than that found on solid core coppers, making them easier to distinguish from one another just by touch alone. Finally, these cables may also feature several different colors of insulation depending on their intended usage; green indicates grounding, while blue indicates neutral polarity.
