wire gauge

Stranded or solid wire isn't going to make any difference IMO.  I've seen the recommendations to use stranded wire, but I'm at a loss as to why this would help.  Stranded #12 costs quite a bit more than solid #12 as well.

It'll be interesting to see other opinions on this issue, I'm curious on what factual basis stranded wire is recommended, or if there is a real quantifiable reason.

Thanks gunrunnerjohn. I too would be interested to read about why stranded wire is better for the DCS.

Dan

I favor stranded for its flexibility. It doesn't kink or possibly run the risk of breaking (smaller gauges). If you plan to use crimp connectors, you really want stranded.

Stranded wire is slightly bigger in diameter that the equivalent solid wire. Apparently AC  conductivity at 60 hz is related to the cross sectional area of the wire, i.e it takes a bit more diameter/curcumference (stranded) to be equal to a solid wire. 

(MY UNDERSTANDING)  Radio frequencies travel on the surface of the wire, so a 12 gauge stranded wire, both because is has a slightly larger diameter, and each strand provides more surface area, would be a better choice for a radio frequency.  But then just how does all that steel rail effect the RF signal?

IMO. Prove me wrong. My thought is all my solid 12 gauge wire works just fine.  I used 12 gauge solid since it was the largest conductor that fits the screw terminals provide on Lionel BPCs. 12 gauge stranded won't fit unless you remove a few strands. 

Working with solid wire up to 10 gauge is very common in the electrical industry.  

The radio frequency thing is correct and more prevalent as the frequency gets higher. At the frequency that the base operates at I don't think it makes that much difference.

Ron

I like the stranded wire. I have my hole layout using 12gauge for the runners and about every 4 to 5 feet 14 gauge drops. thav had no problems with signal

 We have one  three hot wires. one for out side mainline. one for inside mainline and one for sidings. there one ground for return one hot wire for signals and acc. the last of the six is the earth ground.

Sounds familiar, I know a modular club that uses the same scheme.

Dan, if you already have a layout with good sound wiring, try DCS before changing anything.

Thanks Susan!

I do have alot of solid wire on hand so I may just use that and see how the DCS system. I really don't anticipate any problems.

Dan

I don't believe solid or stranded wire makes much difference, having said that there are a few advantages to stranded wire. The type of wire doesn't have much effect but such things as twisting the pairs together does and it is hard to get twisted pair solid wire. Kinks and loops can have an effect and these are more common with solid wire. When connecting to any type of compression connector, and this includes most screw type terminals, solid wire doesn't have any spring back and can work its way loose with time. These are all advantages to stranded wire. If doing new stranded is a better choise but I would not replace solid if it is already installed.

Al