Is there any reason, other than higher resistance, that I should avoid using stranded steel as opposed to stranded copper insulated hook-up wire?

Most of the time I will be using insulated hook-up wire of either 18 AWG or 22 AWG at low voltages, about less than about 50 VDC, and each length of wire less than 12 inches.

One electronics vendor that I know of sells stranded steel insulated hook-up wire in small quantities at a substantially lower price than I've come across for equivalent wire, but copper, from other vendors.

I'm about to buy some more hook-up wire, and would like to buy the lower-priced stranded steel if higher resistance per foot is the only difference.

Thanks in advance for your opinions,
Pete

 

I generally use TR64 hook up wire, small spools are available at most suppliers.
I personally would not use steel stranded for the small difference in price .
What is the original intended purpose given by the vendor of the steel type?
Max.

 

The leads on some components today (resistors and capacitors come to mind) are often steel. If the wire you describe is plated with tin or copper, it should work. It may be a little stiffer to begin with and work harden more thna equivalent copper.

John

 

It may be a little stiffer to begin with and work harden more thna equivalent copper.

Yes, and therefore be more likely to break if moved.

 

I generally use TR64 hook up wire, small spools are available at most suppliers.
I personally would not use steel stranded for the small difference in price .
What is the original intended purpose given by the vendor of the steel type?
Max.

Actually the vendor (All Electronics) does not identify the hook-up wire as being steel, probably because copper is the norm. Lower production cost I assume would be the reason why a manufacturer would choose steel as opposed to copper. I found NTE 18 AWG stranded insulated copper being sold for 26 cents/ foot, which I would call expensive. Granted using only small lengths of wire that doesn't amount to much of an expense, but I always try to pay only a fair price for whatever.

What is TR64?

 

TR64 is a style of hook up wire used in industrial control cabinets, it has smaller OA dia than the usuall TEW/MTW so the required wire duct etc has higher capacity with TR64.
Max.

 

You might also want to consider high-temp automotive wire (e.g., TXL or GXL). I am not sure you can get it plated, but the insulation is nice to work with and doesn't shrink back like PVC does with heat.
eBay has lots of it listed: http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-GXL-HIGH...992217?hash=item4199ba3799:g:nlkAAOSwgQ9VqSKv

John