Bill_R posted:Dave Zucal posted:Can solid copper wire be used as a "buss bar" and then the drops from the tracks be stranded and soldered to the buss bar? Isn't it true that AC prefers solid wire and will travel farther and better through it then stranded?
Dave
Actually just the opposite
Stranded conductors have a lower impedance than solid conductors due to an effect called hysteresis. At higher frequency's current flows on the out side diameter of a conductor and not in the center of the conductor causing increased impedance. By adding more strands current has more surface area to flow on. Fortunately in the application of model trains our 60Hz system this is not a factor. Nor are the currents and voltages and distances we operate out trains at. just use a minimum of 12 AWG or 10 AWG (gauge) wire for your bus and you will be fine. Hope this helps (:
Dave
The link below may do a better job of explaining skin effect than i can LOL
