As we all know, electrical wiring comes in two types: hard and flexible. When purchasing wiring for home renovations, many people struggle with whether to install hard or flexible wiring. Some electricians say hard wiring is better, while others say flexible wiring is better. Before deciding which is better, let's learn a little about hard and flexible wiring!
What are hard and flexible wiring?
Hard wiring, in simple terms, is made of a thicker wire, making it much stiffer than flexible wiring.
BV hard wire has a smaller cross-sectional area ratio, making it less susceptible to oxidation and more resistant to short-circuit current shocks, resulting in a relatively long service life. However, in some ways, the stiffness of hard wiring can make it difficult to pull the wire in some places, and it can be difficult to straighten it after bending.
BVR flexible wire is a wire with a diameter of 1.0 mm or greater and high dimensional accuracy. It's composed of many different small copper wires. It's more suitable for turning and threading through conduits, making it easier to move. However, it's susceptible to oxidation, resulting in a shorter lifespan and a tendency to break and overheat.
Should I use hard or soft wire for home renovations?
From a safety perspective, experienced electricians believe hard wire is better for wiring. Why?
1. Soft wire is thinner and more prone to aging. Even if used, it's only suitable for small-scale use, such as connecting chandeliers and other electrical appliances. It's not suitable for fixed, long-distance wiring.
2. Single-strand hard wire is relatively cheaper. When drawing multi-strand soft wire, the individual strands are thinner, requiring more demanding workmanship and resulting in a higher cost.
3. Under normal circumstances, for the same square cross-sectional area, soft wire has lower conductivity than hard wire.
4. Thin wires in flexible wiring are prone to short circuits during concealed construction, and excessive heat can also cause overheating. However, rigid wiring has low resistance, generates less heat, and is less likely to cause burns, making it relatively safer.
Here, I remind everyone that rigid wiring is preferred during renovations. Of course, both rigid and flexible wiring are used during renovations. I'm simply suggesting that rigid wiring is preferred as the main wiring. Paying close attention to detail during renovations will ensure safe electrical use.
