fine multistrand wire or thick?

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mgoddard2

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Posted: January 10, 2006 at 12:32 AM / IP Logged

I have 2 different types of 4 gauge wire for powering my amplifiers approximately 60 amps of current being drawn through the wire, and was wondering what is better, a very fine multistrand wire, or a coarse multistrand wire and why one or the other?

Thanks

Matt

menace2sobriety

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Posted: January 10, 2006 at 1:16 AM / IP Logged

they say current runs on the outside of a strand of wire. (tho there is no possible way to test this theory) so finer the strand the better you are.

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KarTuneMan

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Posted: January 10, 2006 at 9:47 AM / IP Logged

menace is correct.....the more fine strands you can get, the "easier" the current will flow...It will not flow "more" current.

DYohn

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Posted: January 10, 2006 at 1:36 PM / IP Logged

The above posts express theories. There is no measurable difference in performance for any power cable from solid core to million-strand. There is no such thing (scientifically) as "making it easier for current to flow." As long as the insulation is sufficient for the voltage and the total cross-sectional area of the conductor is sufficient for the expected current flow, wire is wire. Finer conductors tends to make it more flexible and easier to handle.

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mgoddard2

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Posted: January 10, 2006 at 5:16 PM / IP Logged

Thanks for the input I appreciate the help

Matt

russ lund

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Posted: January 11, 2006 at 12:05 PM / IP Logged

Your correct DYohn.I'm a electronics instructor P/T and my favorite is DC and AC theory and ckt's.I love the sales people that brag about their multi stranded cable carrying better than some thicker stranded stuff.Yes it is accepted theroy that current will "skin" .But that is for alternating current.So in other words it would make a difference for your speaker cable but not your power cable.Just get the proper gauge of cable and make sure it is flexible enough for your installation.

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Steven Kephart

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Posted: January 11, 2006 at 12:27 PM / IP Logged

russ lund wrote:

.But that is for alternating current.So in other words it would make a difference for your speaker cable but not your power cable.Just get the proper gauge of cable and make sure it is flexible enough for your installation.

From what I was told, skin effect doesn't even become measureable with super sensitive equipment until the very limits of our hearing at around the 20kHz point. So I don't think you need to worry about your speaker wire either. Unfortunately there is a lot of voo-doo marketing coming from wire/cable companies that spread this stuff to sell their products.

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DYohn

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Posted: January 11, 2006 at 1:11 PM / IP Logged

Steven Kephart wrote:

russ lund wrote:

That is right, Steven. Skin effects become measureable at RF frequencies (MHz range and above.) It is not applicable to audio.

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czesc

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Posted: January 12, 2006 at 12:23 AM / IP Logged

Not to beat a dead horse, but if you would like some more information on skin effect theory you can find one here:

http://www.audioquest.com/pdfs/aq_cable_theory.pdf

For power it does not matter. For speakers a solid core conductor is best.

czesc

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fine multistrand wire or thick?

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