When doing minor repair work in the house, you often have to deal not only with wires, but also with cables. This raises the question: how to properly strip the insulation from a wire? There are differences between a wire and a cable, for example, a wire is one conductor, which may not even provide for the possibility of removing the insulation (bare wire), while a cable is a whole network of non-contacting current carriers, covered with a common layer - an insulating sheath. Essentially, there are always several wires inside the cable. Stripping sometimes requires both individual conductors and all conductors in a cable. Often you have to remove a long piece of the top shell (insulation). That's why you can't do it with your hands alone.
The types and arrangement of wires and cables have already been repeatedly discussed in articles devoted to this topic. For example: "", "", "", etc.
Typically, a wire is a conductor (rigid or flexible) coated with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or rubber insulation. There can be one layer of insulation, or maybe several. Sometimes silk braiding acts as additional insulation, sometimes the conductor part is coated with insulating varnish.
How the cable works is already written a little higher. What is technically considered a cable is often colloquially referred to as a wire, and a stranded wire may be called a cable. Polyvinyl chloride, rubber and other non-flammable dielectrics are used as insulation for wires and cables. They protect wires from short circuits, human contact, and fire.
Sometimes the conductors of a stranded wire are enveloped in a rather dense layer of insulation, which can cause difficulties when stripping.
According to the type of conductor cross-section, wires are divided into two types:
- Single-wire (rigid). They are a conductor consisting of one solid conductor.
- Stranded (flexible). They consist of several very thin wires intertwined with each other.
For successful withdrawal insulation, it is necessary to use a high-quality tool and follow the standards and sequence of work, otherwise the wiring will quickly fail.
Tools needed to strip wires
To properly and safely strip the insulation from the live part of the wire, the following tools may be useful:
- Side cutters.
- Assembly, construction, stationery or household knife.
- Electric burner.
- Pliers.
- Special cutters for thick cables or metal scissors.
- Vise or other fixing device.
Stripper: its purpose and model variations
A stripper is a special device for stripping wires. Simple models of this tool are similar in operating principle to conventional side cutters. The blades are equipped with recesses of different radii, designed for conductors of different sections.
The semi-automatic manual stripper is equipped with two pairs of jaws with blades. When using it, the end of the cable must be placed in the work area, close the blade handles and cut the insulation. The sponges remove it from the vein. A stripper of this model is equipped with an adjustable stop, which allows you to precisely adjust the section of the placed wire. In Russia this tool is called KSI (insulation stripping pliers). 
Some types of strippers perform several functions simultaneously:
- Trimmed
- Cleaning up
- The veins are twisted
A twisted pair stripper is a clip with a built-in blade that looks like the blade of a utility knife.
After repairing equipment or the electrical network, make sure that there is not a single exposed area left.
Company "Knipex"
The tool for stripping and cutting wires must be of high quality, in accordance with the requirements of state standards. The German company Knipex produces time-tested, reliable tools designed for stripping wires. Some of them are tested at 10,000 volts at +70 and -25 degrees. Therefore, there is no doubt about the reliability of this company’s products. Among other tools used to cut wires, the main ones can be identified:
- Combination pliers
- Knitting pliers
- Clamping pliers
- Wire cutters
- Tweezers
- Forceps
- Cable knives
Founded back in 1882, Knipex is today one of the most famous manufacturers electrical installation tool. Every day 45 thousand units of this company's products are sold. About a hundred countries around the world cooperate with it. And in our region, getting a Knipex tool will not be difficult.
The process of stripping a wire or cable
Most often, wire stripping is done using side cutters. Sometimes cutting wires is accompanied by improper use of side cutters, which complicates the work and leads to damage to the live part of the wire. To remove insulation, it is important that the cutting parts are directed in the direction opposite to the movement of the tool. This way the knives will be able to cut into the insulation even with slight pressure. 
If you don’t have side cutters or other special devices at hand, you can take a knife, lightly press the cutting part of the knife onto the wire insulation and draw it in a circle. Repeat if necessary until the protective layer of insulation is cut through and the tip reaches the core. You can make the cut not across. and along the wire, then stretch the edges to the sides and cut off the sheath. This method is even considered by many to be better and safer. 
When cutting, you can easily cut your hands, so be extremely careful.
How to Cut External Insulation Using a Heel Knife Video
When removing the outer layer of insulation, be careful not to cut it using a forward motion (similar to sawing). You just need to push it sharp side knife and turn slowly. You shouldn't use force. When the work is completed, inspect the stripped ends of the conductor. There may be cuts or breaks in the live part of the wire. This end of the wire is not suitable for further use. It needs to be cut off and the work done again. If you do not give this due importance, over time it may create dangerous situation. As a rule, the damaged part of the wire strand breaks off later during operation. In the future, you will need to look for the place where the cable is damaged, and this place, as a rule, will be hidden with insulating tape.
Sometimes it is not clear how to strip the wire, especially when it is too thin and multi-core. There is one trick.
- Take an old razor blade.
- We break it and take one half of the blade.
- We fix the wire using a vice or clamps. You can use the clamp of a table lamp.
- We cut the insulation along the conductor.
- We make neat cuts across the section, trying not to touch the conductor with the blade.
- Bend the cable so that the cut edges move slightly apart.
- We grab the cut with our fingernail and pull the insulation off the core.
Stripping wires is a painstaking job that requires patience.
Errors often occur when stripping wires. Typical errors in stripped wires are visible in the figure: 
Thin wires break very easily. Therefore, you need to strip the insulation from them very carefully.
Stripping the insulation of thin or winding wires
With a conductor thickness of 0.2 mm, in the best possible way stripping, there will be a mechanical option. To do this we need a knife or sandpaper, preferably a fine grain.
The paper needs to be bent inward with the abrasive and insert the wire into the bent sheet, lightly pulling it and pressing it with your fingers. The procedure must be repeated until the enamel is completely cleaned off.
When using a knife, you need to place part of the cable on a hard surface and scrape off the varnish by turning the wire in a circle until the enamel is scraped off the conductor. So, cutting a wire is not a complicated process and does not require an electrician’s diploma.
If the cross-section is thinner than 0.2 mm, another method will be required, since the mechanical method will not give results and will only damage the wire. In this case, it is worth mastering the thermochemical stripping method. We will need a soldering iron and vinyl chloride insulation.
Place vinyl chloride on the table and heat the soldering iron. When hot, we run it over the insulation. When heated, chlorine will be produced, separating the enamel.
To tin a wire during thermochemical treatment, you can take an aspirin tablet, lay the wire on it and run a soldering iron over it in the same way.
In addition to the fact that the cross-section of the wire is so thin, inside it there are many cores twisted into one conductor. Therefore use this method requires precision and skill.
Stripping power cable insulation
Power cables are used mainly for laying conductors to powerful equipment and distribution panels. How to remove the outer layer of cable insulation?
- Slowly cut the insulating layer from the end along the cable, but not very deeply.
- Using pliers, pull out one core at a time located inside.
- Cut off the remaining piece from the outer insulation.
- We cut the wires.
Before you begin this work, carefully consider how much insulation you will need to remove. It is better to cut with a small margin. If you expose a piece that is too long, you can always cut off the excess. Use a cambric to better position the cable inside the device.
When working with electricity, never neglect to exercise caution. Even if you have stripped the wires many times, remember that any cut in the insulating layer is a potential threat to the cable and wire.
And finally. Various tools for stripping wire insulation and how to use them video.
The Kuvalda.ru online store offers wire strippers that meet the requirements and quality standards. With us you can pay for goods by bank transfer or in cash, as well as by card. The catalog of wire strippers is constantly expanding and supplemented with the newest models. Our online store offers convenient and fast delivery throughout Moscow and the Moscow region. To quickly search for products, use the search function by categories, sections and subsections, as well as in the search bar by search word or number. Experienced managers will help you navigate the presented products and tell you technical details and delivery conditions. Thanks to our wide range of wire strippers, you will find everything you need. We are happy to answer your questions about our prices and range. We welcome your suggestions and wishes to improve our service.
I quite often use different terminals, although I usually solder wires to them, but they suggested that I try a more convenient tool for this. And not only the tool itself, but a set for working with wires and terminals, I decided to try to see if it was really convenient.
In my opinion, the set is interesting precisely because it is a set, i.e. The kit includes everything you need for work, and in addition, all this is also packed in a handbag.
It is sold without any additional packaging, just a bag with a sticker code. 
There is a loop on one side; it will hardly be convenient to carry it around, but hanging it somewhere is fine.
The bag closes with a zipper; when closed, the slider is located on the side opposite the loop. 
The bag is quite comfortable and seems quite durable. 
But I still discovered one drawback: when opening, the slider must be brought to the very beginning of the “zipper”, this is not very convenient, because when the bag is fully opened, it “reaches” there due to the opening itself. 
Everything in the bag is secured. For additional matrices there are separate pockets closed with Velcro. 
The stripper is secured at the top with a fairly tight rubber band, and at the bottom there is a Velcro strip. to the right of the stripper there is space for another tool, but it is empty.
During operation, I noticed that removing the stripper is not very convenient. It has sharp elements and can catch on the elastic band that holds it in place. 
Basic delivery set:
1. Stripper (stripping)
2. Crimper (crimp)
3. Double-sided screwdriver
4. Set of four matrices.
Also included in the kit:
5. Bag
6. Four spare screws. 
The whole instrument is done in a black and yellow style, very similar to Stanley in my opinion, but the yellow is brighter. 
The blade of the screwdriver is double-sided, on one side there is a “cross”, on the other (or rather, everything else) a hexagon.
Theoretically, a Phillips screwdriver can be useful only in one case; the crimper has a small screw.
But a hexagon may be needed quite often; it is used when replacing dies. The sting is difficult to remove, I was able to do this only with the help of pliers, but I think it’s a matter of time, it will work out. 
I will begin my inspection of the instrument with the stripper; I have known this instrument for a long time, although in a slightly different form.
This tool is used to strip insulation from wires. In principle, this can be done with a knife, side cutters or any sharp object. But the stripper provides a more stable result, especially if the insulation is thick and the conductors are thin. It is more suitable for working with multi-core wires, although it also copes with mono-core wires. 
In addition to the actual removal of insulation, this tool can work as a simple replacement for a crimper, but it is quite simple, since the result will be worse, and it is inconvenient to work.
There is also a knife for cutting the wire just above, it works, but the blade is one piece with the handles, so if it gets dull, it won’t be possible to change it. 
This tool is clearly more complex than a knife or side cutters.
The photo shows a small adjustment screw; it allows you to change the clamping force of the jaws, but to be honest, I didn’t feel much difference; it has the greatest effect when working with thin wires up to 0.75mm.
When rotating to the right, the clamping force increases and the tool better removes insulation from thin wires.
If, along with the insulation, the tool also cuts off several wires, then by rotating to the left it is necessary to reduce the clamping force. 
The reverse part is covered with plastic covers. 
The work process is standard for this class of tool and includes the following sequence of operations.
1. Open, handles in free position.
2. Clamping the wire and cutting the insulation
3. Pulling the insulation from the wire
4. Open, handles in compressed position, stripped wire can be removed. 
In addition to adjusting the clamping force, there is another feature: the jaws that hold the wire have different notches, in addition, thinner wires are laid deeper, thicker ones closer to the edge. 
Examples of working with wires of different sections, from the description in the store, in my opinion, are shown quite clearly. 
By the way, about the section. I think many people know that, along with the usual mm, they also use the AWG system, where, unlike our standard, the larger the number, the thinner the wire. This is due to the fact that AWG is the number of steps of wire pulling through a die, and is called gauge. AWG1 is 7.35mm or 42.4mm.sq. AWG0 - 8.25mm or 53.5mm.sq., but there is also, for example, AWG000 - 11.7mm or 107mm.sq.
As a reminder, I trimmed the full plate a little, since this is approximately the range the tool can operate within. The plate indicates the diameter of the core, its cross-section, resistance per 1 km of length and the maximum current at the rate of 3 A.mm (used for winding wires). 
Stages of the wire stripping process using the example of a wire with a cross section of 2.5 mm2. 
Above you saw that I rested the wire against the stripping length limiter, but the tool allows you to strip the wire anywhere; to do this, the limiter should be turned as shown in the third photo. 
Almost at the very beginning, I wrote that I have been using a similar tool for many years. Yes, I have a domestic version of the stripper, and although it has a completely different design, it is functionally the same. 
In a proper stripper, the key is consistency of process and releasing the wire at the end of the operation. Here a spring mechanism and such an automatic switch are responsible for this. True, there is a nuance: if the wire is thin, it does not always work. 
Unlike the reviewed version, a knife with pre-formed diameters is used here. 
But the stripping process itself looks almost the same.
1. Cutting through insulation
2. Clamping the rest of the wire.
3. Removal of insulation.
4. Let go of the wire, that's it. 
Before I show it in work, I’ll digress; on one of the sides the wire sections are marked.
Not all of them are visible, and the location is far from logical, but in theory the places correspond to:
1. 6mm
2. 4mm
3. 1.5-2.5mm
4. 0.75-1mm
In fact, in the test I inserted a 2.5mm wire into a hole for a 4mm wire, because if you insert it into a 1.5-2.5 hole, the tool slightly cuts the wire strands.
Also with the reviewed option, you can describe the process many times, but in practice you will understand faster. 
At work. 
Result. Old stripper at the top, new one at the bottom. The photo shows the difference in the principle of cutting insulation; in our version the cutting is more even, in the one we are reviewing it is slightly similar to the letter U. 
Now I’ll move on to the crimper. In general, I have several creepers in my household, a couple for RJ connectors and one for BNC. The middle one turned out to be the most convenient for me, although it looks simpler than the others. 
When I saw this instrument, the first association was Tyrannosaurus :) 
There is a ratchet (ratchet mechanism) that fixes the mechanism in intermediate positions; when the tool is pressed to the end, it snaps off and it opens again. To put the tool into a “traveling” state, you just need to not click all the way to the extreme position. 
The mechanism is completely metal, and the metal itself is quite thick.
One of the matrices is installed initially, the other three are in pockets. The upper half of the matrix is inserted easily, but the lower half has a lot of interference.
The only thing I didn’t really like was the plastic cover on the top end; I have a feeling that it might just fly off and get lost someday. 
The teeth of the ratchet mechanism of the crimper are what form the “steps” when the handles are compressed. 
During work, a situation is possible when you will not be able to bring the handles to the “cut-off” point and the tool will jam. In such a situation, you need to use something (for example a screwdriver) to press the tab in the direction indicated by the arrow; after a click, the mechanism will unlock. 
The crimper kit consists of the tool itself, four dies and six screws. One of the matrices, as well as two screws, are already installed, the rest is in the pockets of the bag. 
I’ll try to describe the purpose of the matrices in my own words, but since I haven’t worked much with such a tool, I might make a mistake somewhere.
For starters, 1601-1. 
Used when working with insulated tips, for example (marked NVI), as shown in the photo. I originally thought the colors matched the contact size, but based on the photo, that doesn't seem to be the case. The matrix has the most big size- blue, and in the photo of the terminals - yellow. 
Matrix JX 1601-06. 
For me, it will most likely be one of the most frequently used, used for terminating multi-core wires using such tips, they are called NShVI. 
As auxiliary information, a plate indicating the correspondence between the caliber of the wire being crimped and the diameter of the tip. 
In general, in my opinion, for such tips it is more correct to use another type of crimper, but it is less universal, so here you need to choose what will be used in your work. 
Matrix JX 1601-08 
This matrix is designed to work with flat or small terminals of this type.
As for the second option (photos 3 and 4), I am not entirely sure, since some sources indicate using the JX 1601-08 matrix, others - JX 2546. 
Well, the fourth type, in my case, will most likely be used least often.
Matrix JX 2546 
This type of matrix is intended for “tubular” contacts. For example, similar contacts are used in the power connectors of “old” type hard drives, commonly called Molex, although Molex is the name of the manufacturer.
For example, the type of connectors in the photo is NLSG-T and NLSW-T 
The store page also has a fairly convenient and clear picture of what needs to be used and why. In general, the description of the tool was a pleasant surprise, for this a small plus. 
Of course, a little experimentation. To do this, I collected a small pile of various things, although I also have terminals with plastic insulation at home, as I showed in the examples for the first matrix, but apparently I hid them well. 
It's difficult with the smallest terminals. Firstly, they are short and it’s simply inconvenient to crimp them, and the result is not always predictable, sometimes it’s normal, sometimes the wire clamp bends somehow wrong. I think in in this case The problem is more a lack of practice, but perhaps the tool itself is not very suitable. 
After switching to larger terminals, everything became much more beautiful, according to at least I like. True, you still need to get used to crimping, I first pressed the terminal a little, then inserted the wire and pressed it. 
Well, such tips generally go with a bang, clearly, quickly, firmly. 
I couldn’t find a 4mm cable at home right away, so I experimented with a 6mm cable, but cut out a few “extra” cores, and also tried crimping two 1.5mm.
For the second case, there are special terminals, double ones, but I don’t have them. 
Another example of crimping tips. 
In the process I even got a little carried away, only the smallest terminals were frustrating, the rest were much more interesting. 
That's all, I'll give a brief summary.
Advantages.
Availability of bag included
Many options for crimp terminals.
Sturdy construction.
Flaws
Difficulties with crimping small terminals
It's not very convenient to take the stripper out of the bag, the elastic band is tight.
My opinion. Overall I liked the tool, there are some minor nuances such as a tight rubber band and problems with crimping small terminals. Well, perhaps I didn’t really like the fact that one of the matrices (the bottom one) fits in quite tightly, but perhaps that’s how it was intended.
On the plus side, I would like to note the really great functionality of the kit, as well as the fact that the kit comes with a bag and all this will not hang around in the tool box.
The manager for the review gave me a coupon HXFMTT4 with the price being $28.99, which in my personal opinion is quite adequate for this kit.
That's all, I hope the review was useful.
The product was provided for writing a review by the store. The review was published in accordance with clause 18 of the Site Rules.
I'm planning to buy +95 Add to favorites I liked the review +95 +165Electrical installation of any complexity is almost always accompanied by stripping the ends of the wire. A variety of devices are used for these purposes. The article will tell you which tool to choose for stripping wire insulation and how to use it.
When the amount of current passing through the conductor exceeds the calculated nominal values, the balance in the operation of the electrical network is upset, which leads to overheating of the insulation layer, and at critical values, to the melting of the metal elements of the wires. Electric welding machines operate on this principle.
Reducing the thickness of the conductor leads to an increase in its electrical resistance and a decrease in performance characteristics. Such a wire will not withstand the required current loads, but at lower values it can work for quite a long time. In addition, mechanical properties are further reduced.
How the cross-section of a conductor affects the amount of current passed through it can be determined using Ohm's law.
The figure shows: if you apply a lot of force to a knife cutting through a layer of insulation, then the blade, after entering the metal, will disrupt the cross-sectional area and structure of the wire. How the metal is cut is clearly visible in the photo.
Tip: When removing the insulation layer from a wire, you need to monitor the condition of the metal core and avoid scratches and cuts on it. Even if their depth is insignificant, over time a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area can occur, which will cause failures and malfunctions of the equipment.
The principle of stripping wires from insulation
Professional tools use two principles for removing protective coating from cables:
- Gap. This method can be compared to stripping wires with teeth, when a piece of insulation, clamped between the teeth, is torn off from the rest of the coating layer with a force directed along the conductor.
- Cutting. In this case, the cutting edge cuts through the protective layer in a circle, without damaging the current-carrying core. Then, part of the cut tube is removed from the conductor with little effort.
Professional tools for stripping wires are:
- Manual.
- Semi-automatic.
- Automatic.
To work with a small number of wires at home, you can use simple ways stripping their ends.
Simple ways to strip wires
Stripping cable ends can be done in two ways:
- Thermal effects. This involves heating the core to the melting temperature of the insulation. This is done:
- Melting the PVC insulating layer with a soldering iron, and then removing the coating with pliers. The big disadvantage is the presence of toxic fumes and corrosion on the soldering iron tip.
- A lighter.
- Heated nichrome thread.
Such techniques are best used for thin, low-power conductors, which are used in electronics, communication devices, and audio equipment with stranded soft conductors operating in circuits where the voltage is approximately 5 volts.
Tip: These methods should only be used for one-time stripping of a small number of wires.
- Mechanical cutting. The method is based on removing the protective layer with the cutting edges of the tool. At home, for these purposes it is best to use a knife to remove insulation from wires.
Electricians often make their own knives. For this:
- Take a piece of a metal hacksaw blade with a small blade.
- They sharpen it on an emery machine to give the tool the shape of a sharp, thin wedge.
- The handle is made by tightly winding the wire, onto which several layers of electrical tape are applied.
This blade perfectly cuts off a layer of polyvinyl chloride, but incorrect handling of the knife can easily damage copper or aluminum metal located close to the insulation.
Tip: When using such a homemade product, the sharpening plane of the blade should be very carefully directed at an acute angle to the insulation layer being cut, which will allow it to slide along it rather than cut into it when the tool touches the metal core.
The video will show you how to quickly remove insulation from a copper wire at home.
Tools for professionals
A professional tool for stripping wires is:
The table introduces some of them:
| Tool name | Peculiarities |
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The design does not allow for a large volume of work, but they are indispensable for urgent repairs. The tool, using a screw, can be adjusted to the thickness of the wire, the diameter of which is up to 5 mm. Pliers are suitable for stripping a large number of wires of the same diameter in one place. |
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This multifunctional device for stripping wires allows you to cut the cable and accurately remove the insulation with a shaped knife. |
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This multifunctional tool can strip insulation from round and coaxial cables, especially large diameters. Do-it-yourself removal of insulation on the cable is carried out in the following sequence:
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There are knives various shapes, which can be used to make longitudinal and transverse cuts of insulation. The most popular are tools with a hook-shaped blade, as in the photo. |
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The presence of a screw allows you to adjust the pliers for stripping wires to different diameters. To do this, the wire is lightly bitten and twisted, and then the cut sheath is pulled off. They are more convenient to work in hard-to-reach places. |
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For a professional, this is the fastest tool that prevents damage to the core where it is needed. high accuracy stripping and high speed of operations. |
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A mechanical stripper adjusts itself to any cable diameter, and then removes the insulation from it without damaging the core. The price of the product is quite high, but both professionals and beginners can use the tool. In this case, there is no need to adjust to the required wire diameter; the stripper carefully removes insulation from any wire with diameters up to 6 mm. |
How to use the stripper
The operating principle of the device is as follows:
- The jaws initially cut into the insulation.
- Capture the wires from both sides. The jaws have special deep notches located at a certain angle.
- After crimping the insulation, the jaws work like a plow, making a forward movement, which leads to a deepening of the cut and keeping the notches in the insulation.
- With a sharp jerk, the lips disperse to the sides. As a result, the insulation breaks, which can be easily removed.
Tip: To break the insulation, it is necessary to make a jerk, and not a uniform spreading of the stripper jaws.
- The rear metal plate on the instrument, covered with plastic covers, is responsible for such a sharp jerk. There is a hole on it where a small conical metal pin fits.
- When pressing on the handles of the tool with some force, a slight bend occurs at the base of the metal plate. As a result of this, it loses engagement with the pin, which leads to a sharp divergence of the jaws.
- The jerk force is adjusted using a micro-adjustment screw and by changing the length of the pin.
This device for stripping wires is equipped with two pairs of jaws. During operation, the ends of the cable to be stripped are placed in the working area of the tool, the insulation is cut by closing the handles of the blade, and the insulation is removed from the core with sponges.
As an example, here are instructions for stripping insulation with an automatic stripper from a wire with a cross-section of 2.5 mm²:
- The wire is laid all the way between the jaws.
- The handles are slightly compressed, which leads to the clamping of the wire with the jaws.
- When you press the handles all the way, the insulation is removed.
This device for removing insulation from wires is additionally equipped with cutters and protrusions for crimping tips. This is very convenient when you urgently need to crimp the tip, but there is no normal crimper nearby.
However, it is not very convenient to use. There is also an insulation length limiter that needs to be stripped.
To avoid problems when stripping wires, you should follow several rules:
- To remove the sheath of a coaxial cable, the process must be divided into two stages:
- Remove the outer shell with a soldering iron, while moving the tip in the longitudinal direction.
- Remove the top braid to expose the polyethylene insulation located on the center core. This insulation can be easily removed with a knife or other tool.
- It is better to strip the insulating layer of an enameled wire with a knife, for a core cross-section of more than 0.2 mm², or with a soldering iron, for a smaller cross-section. The enamel can be carefully removed with sandpaper using progressive movements.
- It is better to remove the rubber coating with a special tool for removing insulation from the wire.
- To clean the sheath in the middle of a long cable, it is better to use an electrician's knife.
- The paper insulation on the cable is easier to remove with a knife.
Removing insulation from wires is a crucial moment. A reliable electrical circuit system depends on the quality of the tool used and the qualifications of its owner.
A professional electrician must have a wire stripping tool in his arsenal, which is necessary for stripping wires when connecting sockets, switches, cutting wiring, etc. Such a device will also be useful for a home handyman who has started renovations in an apartment or house.
Let's figure out what tools exist for removing sheathing from wires, what are the specifics of their use, and outline what you should pay attention to when purchasing such devices.
To connect one socket or switch in an apartment, it is not necessary to buy professional equipment. You can strip a piece of wire with a regular kitchen knife. However, if large-scale repairs are required complete update electrical wiring systems, you cannot do without specialized devices.
The number of contacts that must be cleaned when repairing a house with an area of 100 square meters. m can reach thousands. Carrying out such work without specialized devices is an unreasonable waste of time and effort.
In addition, stripping insulation without professional wire stripping tools is fraught with negative consequences:
- there is a high risk of cable damage, which reduces the safety of electrical wiring;
- cutting the conductor leads to a decrease in the cross-section of the wire, resulting in a break or burning at the junction;
- if cut carelessly, the damaged wire may break when bent.
In high-frequency systems with alternating current, the situation is complicated by the appearance of the skin effect - the current is distributed unevenly, but mainly in the surface layer of the conductor. In such wires, any minor defect in the core can damage the equipment.
You can carefully scrape off the insulation with a knife, but the work will take a lot of time. And if you need to prepare a lot of cables, then mistakes are inevitable - do it quickly a large number of high-precision cuts will not work
When it comes to significant volumes of work, it is better not to take risks and use special devices. Damage to the conductor can cause a fire, cause equipment failure, or cause electric shock.
Types of electrical installation devices
The variety of instruments can be classified according to the following criteria:
- volumes of work performed;
- process automation.
The insulating shell can be removed in two ways: thermal and mechanical.
The first option is only valid for thin, low-power conductors used in communication devices, audio equipment and electronics operating at a voltage of about 5 volts.
Alternatives: side cutters and pliers
By using some tools for purposes other than their intended purpose, it is quite possible to remove the insulating wrapping. Popular alternatives to professional tools: side cutters and pliers.
The cutting edges should be directed in the opposite direction to the movement of the tool. The sheath is carefully removed with a tube without damaging the conductor
For processing wires, pliers with precision holes of various diameters are suitable. A universal tool is in demand when installing wiring.
These pliers allow you to:
- grab and bend wire;
- cut medium hard wire;
- carry out crimping of contact sleeves;
- remove insulation.
The number of holes determines the functionality of the tool; usually pliers are designed for processing wires of 3-6 standard sizes.
You must work with pliers carefully. If you do not calculate the clamping force, you can easily damage the core.
Choosing a stripping method for different wires
The complexity of removing insulation is largely determined by the type of wire. When choosing a tool, you should consider the cable features:
- Coaxial wire. When removing double insulation, work is carried out in two stages. Upper layer can be removed thermally, and the bottom one can be removed using a stripper. The cores of such a cable are very fragile and thin, so they are easily damaged.
- Cable with fluoroplastic coating. Heat-resistant insulation that can only be removed mechanically. An electrician's knife or stripper will do.
- Enameled wire. If the cross-section is less than 0.2 sq. mm, then you need to resort to the thermochemical method using a soldering iron and vinyl chloride tape. The wire is placed on the tape and passed along the cable with a soldering iron - the released chlorine promotes the “removal” of the enamel sheath from the wire.
When choosing a tool, you need to take into account the diameter of the wire the device is designed for, as well as the material used to make the handle.
If it is necessary to process electrical cables, it is necessary to select strippers with a handle made of dielectric material.
The coating protects against voltages up to 1000 W.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
A variety of tools for stripping wires and cables, comparison of strippers:
The choice of a tool should be based on the upcoming conditions of its use and the need for additional functionality. The main thing is that the device ensures compliance with two main requirements: it removes insulation without damaging the conductors and meets the declared dielectric characteristics.
If there is any doubt about the second, then all work is carried out exclusively with the voltage removed.
What tools do you use to strip wires? Please share your own experience with our site visitors. Leave your comments in the block below. There you can ask questions about the topic of the article.
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