Originally Posted by
Tom Bain
Thanks Julie, that is super helpful info. One last question — do you prefer solid or stranded wire? I’ve read that stranded is easier to pull, but it’s kind of a pain to terminate compared to solid.
If you're pulling #12 or smaller wire, solid is fine. Solid wire is great when wrapping around a screw terminal on a receptacle or switch. Anything larger should be stranded. Years ago all the contractors moves to stranded for everything. We adjusted. But for pulling, nothing beats stranded. And when you get into larger size wires, most termination means are designed to accept stranded wire. Even 15A receptacles and switches now come with screw terminals designed for stranded wire. Just avoid back stab devices when installing receptacles and switches. Another plus for stranded is it's much easier to find now than years ago. I have a few reels of solid left in #14 & #12 but I rarely use it anymore. The last time I used solid wire was for hanging Christmas lights.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain