Which type of copper conductors have a smaller outside diameter and are cheaper to manufacture?

• A. Stranded
• B. Solid
• C. Composite
• D. Twisted

Answer: (B)

The selection of solid copper conductors as having a smaller outside diameter and being cheaper to manufacture is accurate. Solid conductors consist of a single strand of copper, which allows for a more compact design compared to stranded conductors that are made up of multiple smaller strands twisted together. The manufacturing process for solid conductors is typically less complex and requires less material than stranded types, leading to reduced costs.

Stranded conductors, while more flexible and typically used in applications requiring movement, have a larger outside diameter because they consist of multiple wires, which adds to their size and manufacturing complexity. Composite and twisted conductors generally refer to configurations involving multiple conductors or different material combinations that can affect both size and cost. Therefore, the nature of solid conductors being simpler in structure supports the assertion that they are smaller and more economical to produce, making them the correct choice in this context.