National Capital Region

Department of Education
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PARAÑAQUE CITY
TLE 10 ELECTRONIC PRODUCT ASSEMBLY AND SERVICING
FIRST QUARTER
WEEK 3

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Brief Introduction
Electronically controlled appliances work on the principle of drawing electrical
energy from a source. The rate of transfer of this energy is so fast, hence knowledge
on the use of a good conductor is a must. This module will help you decide which
wire to use.
Learning Competencies
LO 1. Assess the quality of received materials or components.
1.3 check received materials or component parts against
workplace standards.
Code: TLE_IAEPAS9-12AQS-Ia-1
Objectives
At the end of the period, the students should be able to:
1. Define wire.
2. Identify types of wire; and
3. Enumerate the uses of each type of wire.
Learning Competency to be Developed
Check received materials or component parts against workplace standards
and specifications.

Let’s Recall
Hi there! Can you still remember the things that “Protects Me” while at work?
Can you identify them? Write your answer on a clean sheet of paper. Refer to the
picture from the previous module.

Let’s Understand

What are Conductors?

Conductor is a substance that allows heat or electricity to go through it.
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used to bear
mechanical loads or electricity and telecommunications signals. Wire is commonly formed by
drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate. Wire gauges come in various
standard sizes, as expressed in terms of a gauge number. The term 'wire' is also used more
loosely to refer to a bundle of such strands, as in "multi strand wire", which is more correctly
termed a wire rope in mechanics, or a cable in electricity.

Wire comes in solid core, stranded, or braided forms. Although usually circular in
cross-section, wire can be made in square, hexagonal, flattened rectangular, or other cross-
sections, either for decorative purposes, or for technical purposes such as high-efficiency
voice coils in loudspeakers. Edge-wound coil springs, such as the Slinky toy, are made of
special flattened wire.

Forms of wire
Solid wire
 Solid wire, also called solid-core or single-strand wire, consists of one piece of metal
wire. Solid wire is useful for wiring breadboards. Solid wire is cheaper to manufacture than
stranded wire and is used where there is little need for flexibility in the wire. Solid wire also
provides mechanical ruggedness; and because it has relatively less surface area, which is
exposed to attack by corrosives, protection against the environment.

Stranded wire
Stranded wire is composed of several small wires bundled or wrapped together to
form a larger conductor. Stranded wire is more flexible than solid wire of the same total cross
sectional area. Stranded wire is used when higher resistance to metal fatigue is required.
Such situations include connections between circuit boards in multi-printed-circuit-board
devices, where the rigidity of solid wire would produce too much stress because of
movement during assembly or servicing; A.C. line cords for appliances; musical instrument
cables; computer mouse cables; welding electrode cables; control cables connecting moving
machine parts; mining machine cables; trailing machine cables; and numerous others.

Number of strands
The more individual wire strands in a wire bundle, the more flexible, kink-resistant,
break-resistant, and stronger the wire becomes. However, more strands increase
manufacturing complexity and cost.
For geometrical reasons, the lowest number of strands usually seen is 7: one in the
middle, with 6 surrounding it in close contact.
The next level up is 19,
which is another layer of 12 strands
on top of the 7.

After that the number varies, but 37 and 49 are common.

Then in the 70 to 100 range (the number is no longer exact). Even larger numbers than that

are typically found only in very large cables.

For applications where the wire moves, 19 is the lowest that should be used (7
should only be used in applications where the wire is placed and then does not move), and
49 is much better. For applications with constant repeated movement, such as assembly
robots and headphone wires, 70 to 100 is mandatory.
For applications that need even more flexibility, even more strands are used (welding
cables are the usual example, but also any application that needs to move wire in tight
areas). One example is a 2/0 wire made from 5,292 strands of No. 36 gauge wire. The
strands are organized by first creating a bundle of 7 strands. Then 7 of these bundles are put
together into super bundles. Finally, 108 super bundles are used to make the final cable.
Each group of wires is wound in a helix so that when the
wire is flexed, the part of a bundle that is stretched moves
around the helix to a part that is compressed to allow the
wire to have less stress.

Braided wire
A braided wire consists of a number of small strands of wire braided together. Braided wires
do not break easily when flexed. Braided wires are often suitable as an electromagnetic

shield in noise-reduction cables.

Solid vs Stranded Cable: The Basics

Solid cable is built with one strand or the core of a wire that has non-conductive
material for insulation. This type of cable is used for home electrical wiring, wiring for
breadboards and other situations where wires are not required to be constantly flexed.
Stranded cable is made up of a collection of small gauge wires that are insulated and
compressed with materials that are non-conductive. This type of cabling is typically used in
situations where wire must be routed into cramped spaces. It is also used in areas where
there is considerable flexing or vibrations. Examples include speaker wire, headphone
cables and appliance cables.

Situations Where Stranded Cables are Ideal

Those who require cabling for intricate purposes such as circuit boards or electronic
devices will favor stranded wires as they will remain intact and protected even if twisted or
bent when connecting electrical components.

Situations Where Solid Cables are Ideal

Those who work outdoors or use heavy duty applications might expose the cables to
corrosive particles, erratic movements, and harsh weather conditions. Solid cables are best
for these types of situations.

The Benefits of Solid Cables

Solid cables are often favored because they are usually more affordable than the
stranded variety due to their cheaper production costs. These cables are simple yet quite
durable. As single, thick strands of cable, they are quite resistant to threats and very easy to
produce. Solid cables also have a much more compact diameter compared to stranded
cables. Yet this reduced size does not reduce the current carrying ability of solid cables. Add
in the fact that 6 solid cables are not as prone to failure as a result of corrosion, and it is
easy to see why they are held in high regard.

The Disadvantages of Solid Cables

Though solid cables have plenty of laudable characteristics, they also have a few
flaws. One of the main problems with solid cables is that they are usually only sold in small
gauges. Also, if there is constant flexing or vibrations, the cable could eventually wear down
and break, creating the need for a replacement. Therefore, solid cables are not optimal for
applications like robotics or vehicles that require a considerable amount of movement. If the
cable must be bent into awkward shapes, the solid cable will not have the appropriate
amount of malleability and fortitude to remain fully intact.

Benefits of Stranded Cables

 Stranded cables are easier to route in comparison to solid cables. They are also
extremely flexible. Stranded cables can withstand an incredible number of vibrations and
flexing without fatiguing and eventually breaking. As a result, you will not have to replace
your stranded cables as often as will be necessary with solid cables.

Disadvantages of Stranded Cables

Stranded cables are far from perfect. Their diameter is quite large, yet they provide a
similar carrying capacity as solid cables. They are also more expensive as their production
costs are considerably higher than solid cables. These costs are higher due to the complex
manufacturing process that is required to develop these intricate wires. Also, stranded
cables are much more likely to falter because of corrosion from capillary action. It is also
worth noting that stranded cables are not ideal for preventing electronic interference as the
air channels in between each strand amplify the “skin effect” created by the magnetic fields
along the cable's surface. Be sure to take each of the factors listed above into account
before making a commitment to either solid vs stranded cable for your home or business
project.
In electrical applications like cable assemblies and wire harnesses, choosing
stranded wire vs solid wire will depend on the job requirements. The physical differences
between the two wires are straight forward enough: a solid wire consists of a solid metal
core while stranded wires are made of a quantity of thinner wires that are twisted together
into an organized bundle.
In choosing the right wire to use, there are a handful of considerations and pros and
cons that will drive the decision, but the key factors are:
● Amperage load and application
● Gauge of wire
● Type of metal that will be used
● Both stranded and solid wires are used by engineers in a wide variety of cases. In any
case, there are advantages and disadvantages of stranded wire vs. solid wire that lead to
selecting one over another for each application.

Stranded Wire
Because they are bundled, stranded wires are relatively more flexible, intricate, and
delicate. They are better suited for indoor use on circuit boards, speaker wires, electronic
devices, etc., where bending and twisting are necessary to connect electronic components.
For example, an ideal application of stranded wire is in a car door where frequent bending
will occur.
Stranded Wire Pros The bundled braids of stranded cable offer a few acute benefits over
solid wire:
● Flexible
● Malleable
● Will not split or sever
Stranded Wire Applications
Stranded wires are more suited to indoor applications where bending and twisting are
necessary to connect electronic components like:
● Circuit boards
● Speaker wires
● Electromechanical assemblies
Solid Wire
Solid wire is heavier, made for all-weather conditions, is anti-corrosive, rugged, and
can withstand frequent, but minimal movement. An ideal application of solid wire would be
carrying power through a building structure, as this requires a high current, little movement,
and long-lasting durability.
Solid Wire Pros
● Weather-resistant
● Anti-corrosive
● Low cost
Solid Wire Applications
Solid wires are more suited for outdoor or heavy-duty applications where higher
currents and more rigid durability are required.
● Building infrastructures
● Vehicle controls ●
Outdoor applications

Let’s Apply
Directions: Put a check (√) mark on the corresponding picture on the left,
whether it is a Solid, Stranded or Braid wire. Copy the table below on a
separate sheet of paper.
WIRES SOLID STRANDED BRAID

1.
2.
3.

4.

5.

Let’s Analyze
True or False. Directions: Write the word “TRUE” if the statement is correct,
and “FALSE” if the statement is incorrect.

___1. A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal.

___2. Wire comes in solid form only.
___3. Solid wires, also called solid-core or single-strand wire, consists of several small wires
bundled or wrapped together to form a large conductor.
___4. A braided wire consists of several small strands of wire braided together which do not
break easily when bended.
___5. Stranded wire is composed of a single or one piece of metal wire.
Identification
Directions: Draw beside the picture if it is a solid wire, and if it is a stranded wire.

Let’s Try
Multiple Choice: Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer, write your
answer on a separate answer sheet.

1. It is usually a cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. a. Braided wire b. Solid wire
c. Stranded wire d. Wire
2. These wires are useful for wiring breadboards. a. Stranded wire b. Solid wire
c. Braided wire d. Wire
3. These wires are more flexible than solid wires. a. Wire b. Stranded wire c. Solid wire
d. braided wire
4. These wires do not break easily when flexed. a. Solid wire b. Stranded wire
c. Braided wire d. wire
5. The lowest number of strands in a stranded wire is composed of how many strands.
a. 3 b. 5 c. 7 d. 9
6. The highest number of strands in a stranded wire could reach up to how many strands.
a. 7-18 b. 19-37 c. 37-49 d. 70-100
7. Where do you use braided wires? a. House wiring b. Flat cord c. Noise reduction control
d. headphones
8. Under normal conditions, 7 strands of wire are used in what applications? a. House wiring
b. Flat cord c. Headphones d. welding cable
9. For applications where the wires move, what is the appropriate number of strands to use?
a. 7 b. 19 c. 37-49 d. 70
10. For applications with constant repeated movements, how many strands is needed? a. 7
b. 19 c. 37-49 d. 7010

Let’s Create

Goal
Identify the different types of wires.
Role
Imagine yourself working in an electronic factory, assigned to segregate appliances
which use solid wires and stranded wires.
Audience
Grade ten students under E.P.A.S.
Situation
As an E.P.A.S. student you are tasked to do the following:
1. List down all appliances or machines found at home. Take pictures or cut pictures from
magazines.
2. Identify the types of wire being used.

NAME OF APPLIANCE TYPE OF WIRE

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Product performance
The learner shall be able to apply quality standards based on prescribed procedure
and standards.

Standards
The learner demonstrates an understanding of the underlying principles in applying
quality standards based on prescribed procedure and standard