T&T: Marine Wire Myth

[Robin Brueckner]

While I would not recommend solid copper wire for general use aboard a boat, in some applications it's preferred, like the main bonding conductor in a bilge because of corrosion resistance. (A strap is preferable, however, perhaps even soft copper tubing.)  And perhaps it's use in fixed applications might be ok, say between a light fixture and electric panel where it's securely fastened along its entire routing and at both ends. (That comment will cause some dissent, I'm sure.) 
   
  There are other applications where it's simply awful: battery cables, any and all engine and alternator and genny connections ( where virbration is a major factor), and any connections where plugging and unplugging may occur such as electronics, navigation equipment and so forth. Even a hinged electric panel would be a bad application as inspections, repairs and modifications to the panel would cause unwanted flexing of solid wire. 
   
  A related issue is the fineness of wire stranding. Home Cheapo stranded wire, for example is composed of a limited number of relatively thick strands which is apparently less expensive to manufacture than real marine wire with finer strands. It's rather inflexible compared with finer strand marine cable, but works satisfactorily in many applications. I have about  5,500 feet of it aboard my Hatteras. 
   
  Welding cable I have seen, apparently made for portable application and frequent flexing, has finer strands than marine cable which is moderately flexible by comparison. I suspect it may be more readily subject to salt water corrosion. 
   
  So solid vs stranded wire comparison and application is not simply "either" "or". 
   
  Rob Brueckner
  1972 Hatteras YF
  New Rochelle, NY 

       
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