When renovating, I believe everyone often asks whether to buy hard wiring or flexible wiring. These are the most common types of household wiring on the market, and opinions vary widely. Today, I'll discuss the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of these two types of wiring. This will help you gain a more intuitive understanding and make the right choices.
What are the differences between hard wiring and flexible wiring?
1. Price
Flexible wiring is more expensive than hard wiring. A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better performance. This is primarily due to the significantly more complex manufacturing process. However, one thing is certain: for the same square foot of wire, flexible wiring can carry a greater load than hard wiring. Simply put, flexible wiring can connect to more appliances than hard wiring.
2. From a Construction Perspective
Hard wire still has certain advantages when it comes to connectors and crimping for home sockets and switches. Once connected, it's easier to use than flexible wire. Flexible wire, being more flexible and resistant to tensile stress, offers advantages when running through conduit and also facilitates heat dissipation. However, it's crucial that it's not mixed with hard wire, as this can easily cause it to break. Flexible wire is only suitable for small appliances and shouldn't be used on longer runs.
3. From a Usage Perspective
Since homes now have more appliances and wiring is more complex, hard wire is a better choice. Its rated current is sufficient for most households, it's less prone to oxidation, and it's easier to connect to things like switches and power supplies. When purchasing, consider your home's specific needs.
Is it better to use hard wire or flexible wire for home wiring?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard and Flexible Wire
1. Cross-sectional Area: For the same current carrying capacity, hard wire has a smaller cross-sectional area, while flexible wire has a larger cross-sectional area.
2. Tensile Strength: Hard wire is stronger, while flexible wire is weaker.
3. Corrosion resistance: Hard wire is stronger, soft wire is weaker.
4. Fatigue resistance (resistance to transverse fracture): Hard wire is weaker, soft wire is stronger.
5. Insulation strength: Hard wire and soft wire both depend on the material and thickness of the insulation layer.
6. Scrap recovery rate (metal recycling): Hard wire has a higher current capacity, soft wire has a lower current capacity.
7. In terms of use: Stranded soft wire has a higher current carrying capacity (but when it comes to sudden loads, hard wire has a better ability to withstand them). However, for general household use, currents generally do not exceed 100A, so single-strand wire is sufficient.
Single-stranded hard wire is superior to stranded soft wire in terms of oxidation resistance and longevity. This advantage is particularly evident over long-term use. Some flexible wires have thin copper wires that are prone to oxidation.
The advantages and disadvantages of both types of wire have been clearly demonstrated. In reality, neither type has absolute advantages or disadvantages. This is provided as a guide only, and I cannot provide definitive advice on which type is best. Because no matter what specifications and models of wires are used, they must be decided based on the actual situation. I also hope that when you buy wires, you will buy wires with quality assurance through regular channels, so that they will be safe to use.
