What is the primary purpose of stranding conductors?

The primary purpose of stranding conductors is to improve flexibility. Stranded conductors consist of multiple smaller wires twisted together, which allows them to bend and conform to different shapes more easily compared to solid conductors. This flexibility is particularly advantageous in applications where conductors need to be routed through tight spaces, manipulated during installation, or subjected to movement and vibration.

While enhancing conductivity and increasing tensile strength are important characteristics of conductors, stranding specifically addresses flexibility. The arrangement of multiple strands can also help to mitigate the effects of skin effect at higher frequencies, but the predominant reason for using stranded wire is to make it more manageable and adaptable. Reducing heat dissipation is more related to the design of insulation or the conductor material rather than the stranding itself.