Sometimes wires are stranded–multiple small cores bundled together. This results in greater potential for electricity flow (per amount of copper), and results in greater flexibility of the wire. Most of the cords you deal with on a daily basis are made from stranded copper cable.
But there are cases where solid core is important for other reasons. A solid core wire is stiffer and more difficult to bend, and will typically retain whatever shape it is bent into. But pump electricity through it for decades and it’ll last a lot longer and be more reliable than its stranded counterpart. This is why your house’s wiring typically uses solid core copper–doesn’t move once installed, and reliability is kinda important when it’s inside your walls.
I assume the metal hanger is aluminium. Unless you competely cover the metal in an insulator at the outlet legs then this will short and trip a fuse the second it is plugged in.
Electrical engineer here. You’re mostly right–electricity does mostly flow on the outside of a conductor (a small amount does flow through the core).
But based on this picture, I don’t see an insulator on the hanger wire. Which means it’ll trip a breaker or blow a fuse as soon as you plug it in. And if it’s at your crazy uncle Ned’s house, where he casually replaces his fuses with pennies, you’ll get some visitors in a fancy truck!
I don’t think that’s true, but I don’t know enough about electricity to refute it. electromagnetism, sure, but as long as the metal loops around it’ll pull in the electricity (I believe).
It mostly does use the outside (a smaller amount can run through the core). But your point is correct–if there’s no insultation between the hanger and the contacts, it’ll conduct electricity.
Electricity flows over metal, not through it. As long as there’s an insulator on top, there shouldn’t be an issue.
Would I try it? No.
Could it work? Yes.
Why are all the wires full of expensive metal if we only need the surface?
It depends!
Sometimes wires are stranded–multiple small cores bundled together. This results in greater potential for electricity flow (per amount of copper), and results in greater flexibility of the wire. Most of the cords you deal with on a daily basis are made from stranded copper cable.
But there are cases where solid core is important for other reasons. A solid core wire is stiffer and more difficult to bend, and will typically retain whatever shape it is bent into. But pump electricity through it for decades and it’ll last a lot longer and be more reliable than its stranded counterpart. This is why your house’s wiring typically uses solid core copper–doesn’t move once installed, and reliability is kinda important when it’s inside your walls.
I assume the metal hanger is aluminium. Unless you competely cover the metal in an insulator at the outlet legs then this will short and trip a fuse the second it is plugged in.
Electrical engineer here. You’re mostly right–electricity does mostly flow on the outside of a conductor (a small amount does flow through the core).
But based on this picture, I don’t see an insulator on the hanger wire. Which means it’ll trip a breaker or blow a fuse as soon as you plug it in. And if it’s at your crazy uncle Ned’s house, where he casually replaces his fuses with pennies, you’ll get some visitors in a fancy truck!
I don’t think that’s true, but I don’t know enough about electricity to refute it. electromagnetism, sure, but as long as the metal loops around it’ll pull in the electricity (I believe).
Electrical engineer reporting for duty!
It mostly does use the outside (a smaller amount can run through the core). But your point is correct–if there’s no insultation between the hanger and the contacts, it’ll conduct electricity.
I beleieve it’s true with high frequency electricity, like in speakers, but not at 60hz
Bismuth or Tungsten are very low in electrical conductivity. Coat them in clear rubber and it should be a long while before there’s a short.