Electrical cables

Electrical cables may be made more flexible by stranding the wires. InCXP740010-189Q

 this process, smaller individual wires are twisted or braided together to produce larger2sc1943

 wires that are more flexible than solid wires of similar size. Bunching small wires before concentric stranding adds the most flexibility.TDA4863-2

 Copper wires in a cable may be bare, or they may be plated with a thin layer of another metal, most often tin but sometimes gold, silver or some other material. Tin,BCM59035C1IFB5G

 gold, and silver are much less prone to oxidation than copper, which may lengthen wire life, and makes soldering easier. Tinning is also used to provide lubricationP8749H

 between strands. Tinning was used to help removal of rubber insulation. Tight lays during stranding makes the cable extensible (CBA - as in telephone handset cords).