Stranded or solid star wiring?

The only major differance will be the ability to be flexible or not with the wire, both solid and stranded #12 AWG have the same current carrying capacity. The cost per foot will be higher with flexible wire, other than that the NEC(National Electric Code) rates both at the same 20 amps up to 600 volts A.C.

I have used 12 AWG solid wire on my layout mainly because I had it left from a wiring job, works great with my DCS command control.

Lee F.

I think the discussion is based on RF (Radio Frequecy, DCS or TMCC signal). Signal frequency much higher than the 60hz AC Alternating Current supplying power.   My understanding is that RF Travels the surface of the conductor.  A stranded 12 gauge wire has a slightly large diameter/circumference/overall surface area compared to the same 12 gauge solid wire.   That is noted even on some wire insulation stripping tools.  My guess is large surface more friendly to DCS or TMCC. 

A review of Inductive Impedence (Resistance/degrade of signal strength),that naturally occurs in a wire, the higher the frequency the greater the Impedence. So what is relatively insignificant at 60hz in different for RF frequencies. 

Stranded conductor is much easier to pull in conduit, but termination is easier/more reliable with solid conductor to a point, (#10 solid) IMO.  I have used #8, #6, #4 and #2 solid copper conductor but usually only for grounding grids/bare conductor, both mechanical and cadweld connection.  You would also find that #14, #12, #10 stranded single conductor is usually 10% more expensive compared to the equivalent solid conductor.      

DCS likes a twisted pair of wire for the main wiring from the tiu to either a mth style 12-24 terminal strip or directly to a normal barrier strip then to a power drop from tracks above reason being the dcs signal is a fickle thing and the twisted pair meaning both the hot wire and common wire are twisted inside a cabled sheathing this helps the DCS signal a lot.

at least that is what I was told and so far it works well for me as to the solid I can't say maybe others here have used it or are using it.

am sure the main DCS folks will chime in with better scientific information than me.

$oo