Final answer:
The NEC requires that conductors be stranded when they are 8 AWG or larger, according to Section 310.106(C). This standard ensures the safety and integrity of electrical installations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Section 310.106(C) of the National Electrical Code (NEC), conductors must be stranded when they are 8 AWG or larger and are installed in raceways. The NEC is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States, and these requirements are important for ensuring the physical integrity and safety of electrical installations.
American Wire Gauge (AWG) is the standardized wire gauge system used in the US to denominate the diameters of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire. The larger the AWG number, the smaller the wire's diameter, and accordingly, a higher gauge number indicates a smaller wire. Given their use in raceways, larger conductors (8 AWG or above) are required to be stranded to allow for better flexibility and to reduce the chance of breakage when pulling through conduits.