why do current-carrying wires have multiple thin copper wires instead of a single thick copper wire?

Question

In domestic current-carrying wires, there are many thin copper wires inside the plastic insulation. Why is that so? Why can’t there be a single thick copper wire carrying the current instead of so many thin ones?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Household wiring, the in-the-wall stuff, in the UK is typically single conductor.

It’s stiff, difficult to bend.

Appliance cords are typically multiple conductors, and are more flexible. I think the movement of the conductors slows this.