In raceways, conductors of which size and larger must be stranded unless specifically permitted or required elsewhere in the NEC?

• A. 6 AWG and larger
• B. 8 AWG and larger
• C. 10 AWG and larger
• D. 4 AWG and larger

Answer: (B)

In raceways, larger conductors must be stranded to ease installation and protect the conductor during pulling. When you pull wires through bends and long runs, solid conductors of 8 AWG and larger are stiff and more prone to kinking, damaging insulation, or breaking strands. Stranded conductors, being more flexible, resist these issues and help maintain conductor integrity throughout the raceway system. Therefore, the NEC requires stranded conductors for sizes 8 AWG and larger unless another NEC provision permits or requires something different. Smaller conductors (like 10 AWG and smaller) aren’t governed by this same stranded-for-large-sizes rule, which is why the correct threshold is 8 AWG and larger.