A conductor assembly and method for making an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one series of embodiments the assembly comprises a spiral configuration, positioned along paths in a series of concentric cylindrical planes, with a continuous series of connected turns, each turn including a first arc, a second arc and first and second straight segments connected to one another by the first arc. Each of the first and second straight segments in a turn is spaced apart from an adjacent straight segment in an adjoining turn.