Question 290Electricity & Electronics - Assistant Engineer

70% to pass

Why are large cable sizes often formed as individual conductors comprised of several smaller strands?

Areduce the overall weight of the wire run
Breduce the number of supports needed for a horizontal overhead run
Cobtain the flexibility required for easy handling and reduces skin effect losses
Dreduce the resistance to current flow for a given wire size
AI Explanation

The correct answer is C) obtain the flexibility required for easy handling and reduces skin effect losses. Large cable sizes are often formed as individual conductors comprised of several smaller strands because this construction provides the necessary flexibility for easy handling and installation, while also reducing the skin effect losses that can occur in solid, thick conductors. The smaller strands allow the cable to bend more easily, which is important for routing and securing the cable, especially in marine environments where the Coast Guard operates. Additionally, the stranded construction helps mitigate the skin effect, which can increase the effective resistance of the conductor at higher frequencies, reducing the overall efficiency of the electrical system. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not directly address the key benefits of stranded cable construction in terms of flexibility and skin effect reduction.

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