Stripping wires from insulation: methods and specifics of removing insulation from cables and wires

How to strip wires correctly?

There are some nuances in this process, without knowing which, you can make mistakes with irreversible consequences.

The cleaned area should not protrude beyond the joint. If a bare wire is left exposed, a person may accidentally touch it and suffer an electrical shock.

The core insulation must be removed from all sides.Crimping the remaining insulation will reduce the reliability of fastening.

When a mistake is made in the wiring of the vehicle, then under the influence of vibration, as a result of loosening the fastening, the wire will fall out of the connection

Incorrect stripping will cause a short circuit and even a fire.

The device of wires and cables.

The types and arrangement of wires and cables have already been repeatedly discussed in articles on this topic. For example: “Wires for electrical wiring in an apartment”, “Varieties and markings of wires”, “CIP wire”, etc. As a rule, a wire is a conductor (rigid or flexible) covered with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or rubber insulation. Insulation can be one layer, and maybe several. Sometimes a silk braid acts as additional insulation, sometimes the conductor part is covered with an insulating varnish. How the cable is arranged is already written a little higher. What is technically considered a cable is often colloquially referred to as a wire, and stranded wire may be referred to as a cable. Polyvinyl chloride, rubber and other non-flammable dielectrics are used as insulation for wires and cables. They protect the wires from a short circuit between themselves, contact with a person and from fire. Sometimes the conductors of a stranded wire are wrapped with a rather dense layer of insulation, which can cause difficulties when stripping. According to the type of conductor section, the wires are divided into two types:

1. Single-wire (rigid). They are a conductor consisting of one solid conductor.
2. Multiwire (flexible). They consist of several very thin wires woven together.

What is the difference between a stripper and a crimper

Crimper

To obtain a complete high-quality contact of individual elements of the electrical circuit, a crimping tool is used for crimping bare and insulated conductors. The crimper is a press tong that crimps the tip and sleeve into a single electrical circuit. The procedure is as follows:

1. The cable is placed in the cutting part and the sheath is removed.
2. The cleaned section of the conductor is inserted into the sleeve and placed between the matrices of the desired size.
3. Squeezing the handles, pressurize the connection.

If necessary, the operation is repeated several times, moving the pliers along the tip. The operation of a crimper is different from that of a stripper. The main purpose of the crimper is to form a reliable connection between the cable and the consumer of electricity.

The crimper comes with a set of dies. They provide a difference in the size of the cross-section of the tips and their functionality. The most used plates for crimping ferrules are NShVI and NShV. Matrices have a digital designation of the section of the sleeve and the tip.

For crimping of multi-core cables and sections of 16 mm2, massive PK-16U pliers are used. Single wires are not crimped with this model - a powerful force on the jaws of the matrix contributes to its rupture.

Computer wire connections use polymer RJ-45 connectors that connect a twisted pair of wires. For crimping, crimpers with special dies are used; it is performed in several stages.

Particularly relevant when crimping sheath terminals, where soldering of parts cannot be used - irons, microwave ovens, electric kettles, and other heating devices. Instead of a crimper, you can use a universal stripper, with which the insulation is removed and the ends of the round conductor are crimped.

What is the best method for stripping cables?

The above methods of eliminating isolation have been tested by time and are actively used today. To understand which method is right for you, you need to consider several criteria. First of all, it concerns the size of the party. If it is small, then you can clean the wires on the non-ferrous metal using a regular knife, side cutter or stripper. If this is not possible, you should take the help of specialists. In addition, if you want to save time, it is also better to entrust the work to professionals.

The delivery of copper and aluminum wires is a very profitable business, allowing not only to get rid of unnecessary metal trash, but also to earn decent money.

How to clean wires

Even if there is no stripper in the house, you can always find something to expose the metal end of the wire. Actually it can be any sharp object to cut the plastic and something that can create pressure to remove it. But in order for the work to be carried out more efficiently, it is worth having one of the following devices in the house.

Cable knife

Cable knife - differs from the kitchen knife in both shape and quality of steel. It's worth having in your closet just in case. Moreover, it costs quite a bit, but it can be useful for a wide range of tasks in addition to exposing the tip of the wire. The shape of the blade is similar to an eagle's beak, the tip runs along a concave line.

Pliers

Stripping Pliers - Not to be confused with regular pliers. They are very different in appearance. This tool has protrusions with holes for wires of a certain diameter range. Another feature is the presence of a cutting edge.Such pliers can be adjusted to the diameter of the wire of a given range. That is, this part is quite highly specialized and requires time spent on adjustments. There are much more convenient devices.

pliers

The tool is similar to pliers, which are the prototype of pliers. But unlike their predecessor, they have two or three notched notches. When exposing the wire, the smallest notch may come in handy, and for cable stripping the one that is larger will be useful. This tool will be useful in the home, where it may be rarely needed, say, to repair an outlet. The owner of the car should think about something more convenient.

Pincers-machine

It is very interesting to observe the mechanism of their work. At the ends of the clamps there are special jaws that, when compressed, make an additional movement that pushes the insulation apart. This tool, unlike the above, is able to carefully expose the wire not at the end, but in the middle.

Stripper

For those who deal with wires more than once a year, it is highly recommended to purchase a stripper. The device, according to the principle of operation, is similar to pliers, but at the end it has several holes for different wire diameters. Usually there are five.

Which cleaning tool should you choose?

So what to choose? Those who constantly work with wires need to have at least two tools - a stripper and automatic pliers. The stripper works only with the tip of the cable or wire, in this it is inferior in versatility to pliers. However, among all the tools considered, it performs its functions faster than anyone, easier than anyone and harms the wire less than other means.And pliers, and knives, and pliers, are designed so that they can scratch the metal part, and this will negatively affect the conduction of current. The stripper does the job without any damage.

Machine pliers, this is the only one of the listed tools that strips the wire in the middle. More precisely, a knife can perform the same function, but there is a risk of damaging the metal with it. Well, those who do not have any of the tools in the house will have to perform the operation with an ordinary well-sharpened kitchen knife. The process will require skill, and an amateur electrician risks cutting himself.

How not to crimp?

Experts believe that it is not so easy to remove insulation from cables and wires. As a result, many mistakes are made that lead to a bite of the main core. The main reason is the use of the wrong tool. Therefore, there is a special list of those violations that are worth knowing not only for beginners, but also for masters:

1. When the top layer is removed and needs to be trimmed, often the master chooses the wrong angle, which leads to notches on the main core. Even a slight, imperceptible notch in the insulation of a conductive cable leads to a short circuit, and sometimes to a complete failure of the entire device.
2. Incorrect use of side cutters. They have a sharp side and a blunt side, often choosing the wrong side. As a result, there is a sharp sliding along the wire, which leads to excessive tension and compression, and this is already a violation of the integrity of the main core.
3. A knife with a heel is convenient, but it must be clearly directed, namely, to choose the angle of inclination. The mistake made leads to the fact that the main cable is cut. And the violation of secondary insulation brings more serious problems.

Everything happens because of the illiterate choice of the tool. But there are other problems: a frivolous attitude to the procedure for cleaning the winding of the main cable or wire. Before you remove the insulation from a thin wire, you should know what actions you have to perform, and do everything carefully and in a clear sequence. There are situations when the distance for work is minimal and it is unacceptable to take risks.

An overview of the best models of strippers for stripping wires

The tool for stripping the insulation of the domestic manufacturer KBT is very popular. The company offers high-quality models of strippers at an affordable cost. One of the most popular models is the WS-04A stripping tool, which is designed to remove the braid from wires with a cross section of 0.05-6 mm². The micro-adjustment screw can be used to adjust the diameter of the hole to suit the size of the cable. You can buy a stripper for 1.2 thousand rubles.

To remove the insulating braid from flat conductors PUNP and VVG-P and clean the sheath from a cable with a cross section of 0.05-10 mm², you can use the KBT WS-11 model. The stripping tool has a micro-adjustment screw, which allows you to select the required hole diameter for a specific cable size. For comfortable operation, the tool is equipped with two-component handles and reinforced clamping lips with a grip width of 13 mm.

The WS-04A stripping tool from KBT is one of the most popular

This stripper model allows you to simultaneously strip several wires in one movement, which is carried out thanks to the wide clamping lips. The tool is equipped with a partial stripping option. The cost of the stripper is 1.4 thousand rubles.

Another good domestic model is the KBT WS-12 stripping tool, which is used for 0.05-10mm² stranded and multi-conductor cables. The device is equipped with a built-in wire cutter. The blades of the tool are made of stainless steel. They have guides that prevent loosening and oblique cutting. The tool can strip the insulation from the middle of the wire. A detachable all-metal adjuster allows you to set the distance required to remove the braid. The cost of the instrument is 1.5 thousand rubles.

Demanded stripping tool KBT

A compact and easy-to-use stripping tool - KVT KS 25. It is designed for SIP cables with a cross section of 4.5-25 mm². The stripper has a rotary, length-adjustable knife that removes 3.5 mm thick braid. Insulation cuts can be made longitudinally, transversely and in a spiral. The body of the device is made of impact-resistant plastic, which is a guarantee of reliability and durability of the device.

To perform wire manipulation, the tool can be placed on a table and secured with a spring-loaded clamp. You can buy a stripper for 1.5 thousand rubles.

The WS-06 tool is an automatic stripper that adjusts to the required insulation thickness

The KBT WS-06 stripping tool is an automatic stripper that adjusts to the required diameter and thickness of the insulation. It is designed for stranded wires up to 2 mm in size. Removes braid with a cross section of 0.2-6 mm². The body of the device is made of fiberglass, which gives it strength, reliability and ease of use.

The tool is equipped with a length limiter for stripping. The handles have a lock in the folded position, which provides convenience and safety when storing the device. With this stripper it is possible to carry out V-shaped cutting of edges cable when stripping wires from isolation. The tool can be bought for 1.3 thousand rubles.

The use of side cutters

Most novice electricians don't use them correctly when they decide to work with side cutters.

So, most often, this tool for stripping wires is picked up as you have to and does not pay attention to the position of the cutting edges. But, by the way, if you took the side cutters incorrectly, then you will have to apply more effort

In addition, there is a high risk of breaking or snacking.

The technology of working with side cutters is as follows: you direct the cutting edges in the opposite direction to the movement of the tool. This is because with this arrangement, the blade will cut even with minimal effort. As a result, you get a shell removed by a tube and an undamaged wire.

Stationery knife

A clerical knife is the cheapest, but also the most dangerous way to damage a wire core, especially a small section. But if you do not have any more suitable tool, you can use a clerical knife. Such a knife is well suited for cutting flat or round cables with “non-filled” insulation, that is, when there is space between the outer insulation and the cores.

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The insulation of each core can be removed by running a knife tangentially from the place to which you want to strip towards the end of the wire. .

We perform all manipulations on our own: do not direct the blade towards the fingers.For cutting, it is better to take a clerical knife with a wide blade, as it is more rigid.

The most common stripping methods

During the stripping of current-carrying conductors, the presence of certain skills that are acquired only in practice plays an important role. This is especially true when handling thin conductors, where every wrong movement can lead to refraction.

Practical experience allows you to choose the necessary force to press the tool, the angle of its application and the direction of movement in order to affect only the wire sheath, and not its core.

Among the popular ways to remove insulation, the following should be noted:

• using a knife
• use of side cutters:
• exposure to high temperature;
• with a stripper.

Each of these methods may be applicable in different circumstances, and deserves a detailed description.

Removing the braid with a knife

An example of the location of the knife relative to the wire when removing the upper sheath

The knife should be brought to the conductor at the most acute angle, practically sliding along the insulation and act only in the “away from you” direction, which will make the process safe for both the product and the user.

Knife with a heel - an electrician's assistant when removing insulation from a cable

Using side cutters to strip wire

Such a tool should only be used by experienced electricians, because any excess force will either cut off the wire or damage it. There are two options for using side cutters:

1. When working with a conductor of large cross section, the insulation is "bitten" from different sides, after which it is simply removed from the core
2. The shell is clamped and cut by the cutting edges of the tool, after which it is pulled together by an axial movement to the side.

The second option requires special attention and accuracy.

Some brands make products with pre-cut notches for safely stripping wires of a certain size, which makes it easier for domestic use.

Notched side cutters for stripping 1.5 and 2.5 mm² wires

Removal of insulation by exposure to high temperature

This method is suitable for cable and wire products that have an insulating coating of PVC conductors. High temperatures can be created with a soldering iron or a lighter. Under its influence, PVC loses its density and is easily pulled together by fingers. Unfortunately, this method is only suitable for wires with a small cross section.

Another disadvantage of this method is the fact that it is applicable only if it is possible to provide access to fresh air for ventilation, because the released combustion products can be unpleasant and even harmful.

Removing conductive insulation using an open flame from a lighter

The use of a special tool - a stripper

There are the following types of strippers:

• simple manual - its principle of operation is similar to the work of side cutters with notches for a certain section of conductors;
• semi-automatic - has an adjustment of the length of the exposed ends and removes insulation from the cores when the handles are closed;
• automatic - performs several operations at once: cutting, stripping, twisting and crimping the cores.

The use of a stripper eliminates damage to current-carrying conductors and violation of insulation in unintended places, which makes its use the most versatile of the stripping methods considered.

The stripper removes the sheath in one motion without any harm to the core

Wire or cable stripping process

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 current-carrying 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. Thus, the knives can cut into the insulation even with slight pressure. If there are no side cutters or other special devices at hand, you can take a knife, do not press the wire insulation with the cutting part of the knife and circle it around

If necessary, repeat until the protective layer of insulation is cut through and the point reaches the core. You can make an incision not across. and along the wire, then stretch the edges along 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

If there are no side cutters or other special devices at hand, you can take a knife, do not press the wire insulation with the cutting part of the knife and circle it around. If necessary, repeat until the protective layer of insulation is cut through and the point reaches the core. You can make an incision not across. and along the wire, then stretch the edges along 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 outer insulation with a heeled knife video

When removing the outer layer of insulation, try not to cut it with translational movements (resembling sawing). You just need to push it with the sharp side of the knife and slowly turn it. Do not use force. When the work is done, inspect the stripped ends of the conductor. There may be cuts or breaks in the current-carrying part of the wire. This end of the wire is not suitable for further use. It needs to be cut off and redone. If this is not given due importance, over time a dangerous situation may arise. As a rule, the damaged part of the wire core in the future, during operation, breaks off. In the future, it will be necessary to look for the place of cable damage, and this place, as a rule, will be hidden by insulating tape. Sometimes it is not clear how to strip the wire, especially when it is too thin, and even stranded. There is one trick.

1. Take an old razor blade.
2. We break it and take one half of the blade.
3. We fix the wire using a vice or clamps. You can use the table lamp clip.
4. Cut the insulation along the conductor.
5. We make neat cuts across the section, trying not to touch the conductor with the blade.
6. We bend the cable so that the notched edges slightly part.
7. We cling to the incision with a fingernail and pull the insulation off the core.

Stripping wires is a painstaking job that requires patience. Mistakes often occur when stripping wires. Typical errors of stripped wires are visible in the figure:

Tips for safe stripping

Electrical work is not easy. Therefore, even with certain knowledge, one must not forget that a damaged core will fail over time.

For safety reasons, when removing insulation for a slightly longer length than required, the excess must be cut off. Bare veins are too dangerous.

It is not advisable for a home master to purchase expensive tools in order to use them several times, removing the insulation. In most cases, simple improvised means will do.

When working with a tool, you need to be extremely careful and attentive. The insulation must be pressed slowly to avoid damaging the strands.

Microscopic damage to the conductors is invisible, so it is better to do everything slowly, but correctly, so as not to have big problems later.

To ensure reliable and safe contact, you need to use special terminal blocks.

It is not always advisable to remove the insulation if the cable consists of thin strands. It is possible, without removing the insulating layer, to disconnect the cores, and to create a contact, use a special clamp with teeth

Contact in case of installation of a piercing clamp will provide a puncture of the insulation. Sometimes this is enough.

A set of tools to get the job done

Sometimes it is required to use a special tool for stripping wires, because due to objective reasons only this type is suitable. Most commonly used:

• Side cutters, since almost every owner has them, and are unpretentious in work;
• Mounting, stationery or construction types of a knife - a sharp household option is allowed;
• One of the versions of the electric burner;
• The use of pliers is allowed;
• Specialized versions of cutters designed to work with thick wires or scissors for cutting metal;
• For convenience, a vice or any type of fixture for fixing is suitable.

With these devices, you can make an easy option for cleaning almost any wire. Now take a look at the wire stripping photo so that you understand what the various tools look like and the nuances of working with them. But there are special cases that require the use of rare tools. Let's consider some of them:

The stripper can help in a difficult situation, because it was created with one purpose - to help clean wires with high quality. Simplified options for functionality are almost the same as side cutters.

The blades have recesses with different radii for working with veins of a suitable section. And the semi-automatic version has a set of two sponges and blades.

For operation, you will need to put the end of the cable on the working compartment, fix the position and remove the insulation. The upper cover of the insulation is cut with blades, and the rest of it is qualitatively removed with sponges. On the territory of Russia, this version is called KSI (pincers that help remove insulation).

But there are products that help to carry out several operations:

• They cut off the isolation zone;
• Clean up the remains of the insulation;
• Help to qualitatively twist the cores.

The German manufacturer "Knipex" produces many high-quality tools for stripping various current carriers. They are often used by professionals because they are verified by various tests based on voltages of 10,000 volts or when exposed to temperatures in the region of +70 and down to -25 Celsius. Because of this, reliability is guaranteed.

This company offers:

• Set of combination pliers;
• Knitting types of pincers;
• Clamping types of pliers;
• Various cutting options;
• An impressive list of multifunctional tweezers;
• Forceps for almost any purpose;
• Cable knives.

Summarizing the above

Buying a stripper or removing insulation in the old fashioned way with improvised means is a personal matter for everyone. However, given the low cost of the simplest devices, such a tool will not be superfluous. After all, no one wants to completely change the cable due to the fact that the core being stripped has broken off and become too short for connection. It is much easier to spend 100 rubles one day and not worry about the quality of the stripping.

It will take a lot of time and effort to clear a lot of veins

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