How much larger is the diameter of an 8 AWG stranded conductor than that of an 8 AWG solid conductor?

To understand why the diameter of an 8 AWG stranded conductor is larger than that of an 8 AWG solid conductor, it’s important to recognize the construction differences between stranded and solid conductors.

A solid conductor is composed of a single, continuous piece of wire, while a stranded conductor is made up of multiple smaller wires bundled together. This method of construction not only provides flexibility but also results in a greater overall diameter compared to a solid conductor of the same gauge.

For 8 AWG conductors, the diameter of a solid conductor is typically around 0.1285 inches. Stranded conductors, however, have a larger diameter due to the added space taken up by the individual strands, as they cannot be packed as tightly as a single solid wire.

In this case, the diameter difference is specifically calculated as 0.018 inches, making the choice corresponding to this figure the correct answer. This information is crucial for applications requiring precise measurements for electrical installations, ensuring that the appropriate conductor types and sizes are used to meet safety and performance standards.