Definition
An electrical conductor made up of a group of small-diameter wires twisted together to act as a single larger conductor. The stranding gives the wire flexibility and resistance to breakage from vibration and flexing, while still carrying current as if it were one solid conductor of equivalent cross-sectional area.
Plain English
A wire that is actually many thin wires bundled and twisted together so it bends easily and doesn't snap from vibration, but still works as one wire.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical systems, especially during wiring inspection, repair, or installation.
Derivation
From the Old English 'strand,' meaning a single thread or fibre of a rope. Stranded wire is built the same way as rope: many small strands twisted together are stronger and more flexible than one thick piece.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft vibration quickly fatigues solid wire, leading to breaks and electrical failures; stranded wire flexes repeatedly without cracking, improving reliability and safety.
Analogy
A stranded wire is like a rope made from many small fibers. The many small pieces together make it flexible while still strong enough to do the job.
Intuition Check
Do not read stranded as meaning damaged or stuck. In this term, stranded means made of many small strands.
Example Sentence 1
The technician replaced the damaged section with stranded wire of the same gauge to maintain proper current capacity.
Example Sentence 2
All new wiring harnesses in the avionics bay were made from stranded wire for added flexibility during maintenance.