When renovating, we all know that plumbing and electrical wiring require modifications, and installing electrical wiring is a crucial step. Failure to install correctly can lead to electrical injuries or even fatalities. Electrical wiring is divided into flexible and rigid wiring. When renovating your home, how should you choose wiring of the same square footage? What is the difference between the two?
What is the difference between flexible and rigid wiring of the same square footage?
1. Rigid and Flexible Wiring
Rigid wiring has a thicker core, typically designated BV. It is more resistant to short-circuit currents and easier to shape, but can be more difficult to thread through conduit, especially for cables larger than 2.5 square feet.
Flexible wiring is made of fine copper wire, typically designated BVR. It is softer, less resistant to short-circuit currents, and has difficulty maintaining a fixed shape. While it is easier to thread through conduit, it is relatively more expensive.
2. Hard Conductor Wire
Single copper wire is relatively rigid and is generally used in fixed installations (such as conduit wiring).
It has a small current contact area and tends to heat up under heavy loads.
It is more convenient for line joints and equipment wiring.
It is less expensive.
3. Soft Conductor Wire
Multi-strand copper wire is softer and less prone to breaking. It is suitable for applications where the conductors move with the wires, or when multiple conductors are laid together, facilitating wire laying and bundle formation.
It has a large contact area, dissipates heat quickly, and is relatively durable.
It is more difficult to wire.
It is more expensive.
What are the uses of soft and hard wire?
Multi-strand soft wire is used for wiring in household conduits and ducts, while single-strand wire is used for outdoor installations or construction sites without conduits.
Soft core wire offers advantages in heat dissipation, conductivity, and tensile strength. Hard core wire is more susceptible to breakage when threading conduits, and the wires make point-to-point contact when being joined.
Hard wire has better oxidation resistance and a longer service life. However, during construction, if the circuit has many turns, multi-strand (soft) wire is easier to thread.
Solid and stranded wires of the same square foot have significantly different load capacities. Rigid wire, except for 1 and 1.5 square feet, is difficult to install beyond 2.5 square feet. The larger the strands, the stiffer they become, which can easily pull on the core and sheath, making installation more laborious. Flexible wire is simpler to install, saving time and effort.
The above describes the differences between flexible and rigid wires and their uses, and I believe everyone understands them. Many electricians have shown that rigid wire is the preferred choice for home wiring. This is primarily because rigid wire lacks rigidity and has thinner copper wires, which can easily oxidize. Excessive current in the circuit can easily cause a short circuit, compromising the safety of household electrical use.
