Strand
Strand turns up in 2 fields: electrotechnology, fiber optics. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Strand in electrotechnology
A single wire that is twisted together with others to form a flexible cable or conductor.
A strand is one individual metallic filament within a larger braided or twisted conductor. Because solid wires become too rigid and prone to fatigue at larger cross-sections, manufacturers bundle multiple strands together to create flexible power cables. The number, thickness, and lay direction of the strands determine the cable's flexibility, current-carrying capacity, and resistance to vibration.
"Make sure you don't nick any individual strand when stripping the insulation off that 4/0 cable."
Strand in fiber optics
The galvanized steel messenger wire strung between poles that supports aerial fiber cable.
A steel wire rope tensioned between poles and bonded to ground, to which aerial cable is lashed with a spinning lashing wire. The strand carries the mechanical load of wind and ice while the cable rides along it. Adding a new cable to an existing strand and cable bundle is called overlashing, and it needs the pole owner's approval and an engineering check of loading.
"Strand's sagging in the middle of span 18, we need a down guy before anybody overlashes another cable on it."