About Wire Stripping

Stripping wires is a necessary part of almost all electrical projects. It is the process of removing the outer protective layer of insulation while ensuring that the components below are not cut. Wire is usually made of metal to enhance its ability to conduct electricity. They are also usually enclosed in an insulating case to protect against electric shock.

Although there are a few assumptions surrounding the idea of stripping, the process is not complicated and can be done with a sharp knife, at least for most cables. However, when speed is a factor and accuracy is necessary, it is best to use the necessary wire-stripping tool.

Different wires and cables usually require different methods of stripping: Wires - best cut with a knife with the right sharpness. Accuracy is crucial, and is best achieved with a steady hand and concentration to avoid cutting a quarter inch too deep. Although this presents a degree of difficulty, in the end anyone who has mastered the cutting technique will usually find stripping the wires a very easy task. The actual task involved applying slight pressure to carve a circle around the cable sheath without actually cutting it completely.

While knives can prove effective, it is recommended that most people use stripping tools where possible. Plastic sheathed cable - stripping of plastic sheathed cable is carried out in two main stages. First, the sheath is removed by sliding the sheathed cable into the notch of the stripper tool that matches the wire gauge and squeezing and sliding to expose the inner wire. You can then proceed to strip off the individual conductors. The plastic sheathed cable can be carved with a knife, just like a wire.

Wire stripping tools are more effective because they combine sheath removal and wire stripping in a single tool. Underground Cables - Underground feeder cables cannot be stripped by nicking because the sheath wraps around each conductor. The plastic sheath must be removed by pulling it along the cable with a knife to slice it into thin sheets. The key is to control the depth of stripping. If there is an accidental Nick or gouge in the wire, cut the cable at that point and start over. Coaxial Cable - Use a test cutter with a blade to strip the wire and adjust the adjusting screw to control the depth of each cut. The plastic sheath can be peeled off with a knife, but the peeling tool is more effective. Communication Cables - Anyone interested in installing a high-speed Internet line will have to use special cable strippers to handle these small cables without damaging the conductors under the plastic sheath. Because the cable is unmarked, the experiment is the only way to determine the optimal cut depth. Thin Wire - These are difficult to peel off without causing damage. You need to use a wire stripper and adjust it according to the specification of the wire.