Quote:
Originally Posted by Tea Tray
A number of things have changed in automotive wire over the years.
One of the easiest ways to take cost out of wire is to reduce the amount of twist in the conductor. The more a conductor is twisted the longer it get$. The twisted conductors are also much stronger in tension load than less twisted conductors.
Years ago you would strip a wire and the twist of the conductor prevented the strands from springing apart. Today inexpensive wire has little twist.
Generally wire insulation has become less flexible and durable. Again a cost consideration.
Years ago a lot of automotive wiring was tinned and silver in appearance, good stuff. Today the bare copper will oxidize where exposed though less of a concern with today’s water tight connectors.
The wire gauge is varied according to load and no longer do we see any wire oversized.
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Makes sense, good info. Capitalism looking for the lowest cost good enough solution.