dedicated line: 10AWG stranded or 2 solid cores?


I'm in the process of installing 2 dedicated power lines. From what I've been reading 10 AWG solid core, like VH Audio's cryoed Romex, would be optimal. However, in this part of the World we don't manufacture that kind of wire and I only found 10 AWG copper solid core monoconductor insulated in PVC, unshielded.

Hence my question: would I be better off by installing 10 AWG stranded cable, or taking 2 10 AWG solid core monoconductors putting them side by side + a stranded cable for ground and use them as if they were one line?

Thank you!
lewinskih01
Lewinskih01,

I agree with Lak that twisting the wire (I used 10 gauge solid core for ground, neutral and positive) is a good thing to do. In my case, the twists are 1" apart and then the wire is run through flexible steel conduit to the outlets. The other thing to try and do is to keep each of the dedicated runs less than 50 feet in length - shorter is better as this also helps with reducing effects of RFI/EMF.
thanks Babybear.

My twisted runs will be about 25 feet long, so well under the 50 feet you recommend. Good news!
Tell me more about the flexible steel conduit: what's the purpose? Just conduit or RFI/EMI shielding as well? Do you have the counduit grounded?
Isn't "Greenfield Conduit" solid core wire already twisted in the metal jacket? Black-White-Green all insulated.
The conduit is again useful for helping to reduce the effects of RFI/EMF. Check my system page for a little more info on what I did.
The flexible metal conduit is also called "Greenfield". Its purpose is to protect the wires inside. It also provides shielding from RFI. Greenfield needs to be deburred after cutting to length, in order to remove sharp burrs that could nick the wires. You also need to use the proper connectors. You could use type MC cable (metal clad cable) that comes with the twisted wires already installed. Even that needs to be cut carefully so as not to damage the wires inside, and you need to install insulating bushings on the ends to protect the wires from the sharp edges of the metal jacket. My advice is to hire an electrician to get it done right.