Stripping wires of insulation: what tools are there? How to remove insulation from wires: a brief overview of the tool Insulation stripper

The work of an electrician is impossible without special tools. To perform such a simple operation as cutting wiring, connecting switches and sockets, you will need a stripping tool. To strip the wiring, use a special hand tool for removing insulation from wires: strippers, puller devices.

Of course, if you need to strip a couple of wires, you can get by with an ordinary kitchen knife, but if you have to work on installing electrical wiring in an apartment or in a house, then an ordinary knife will not be suitable for these purposes. His blade is too uncomfortable. And in the work of a professional electrician, a simple table knife should not be used, since its handle may not be made of dielectric material.

Electrician's knives: features and types

A proper electrician's knife does not necessarily have a straight blade, because it is often necessary to make circular cuts on the wires, and this is more convenient to do with a curved blade. Of course, you can remove the sheath from the wiring with a regular knife, cutting the top insulating layer lengthwise, and the sheath of the contacts in a circular motion, then removing the sheath like a stocking. But, if the knife blade, its dimensions and handle do not meet certain requirements, the conductor itself can easily be damaged, especially if the wires are thin.

To simplify circular cuts, notches are made on the knife blade for different diameters of wires; by placing the cable there, you can make a cut on the braid in a circular motion without fear of damaging the core itself.

The general requirements for a knife for electrical work are as follows:

1. It is better to choose a small knife for stripping insulation; this will allow you to work in tight spaces (panelboard, cabinet). The dimensions of the blade itself should also be miniature, so as not to cut off excess in the wiring bundle. In addition, a small blade of short length fits better in the hand and is more convenient for stripping thin wires.
2. The cutting edge must be straight. This will simplify the operation of cutting double-braided wires - when you only need to remove the outer insulation and leave the inner one intact.
3. The handle does not have to be anatomical. The shape should allow you to determine by touch where the tip of the blade is.
4. The blade material is carbon steel, this will allow you to maintain the required sharpness longer.
5. The handle must be made of dielectric, durable material: durable plastic, carbon fiber, in order to prevent electric shock during work. “Instructions for the use and testing of protective equipment used in electrical installations” - clause 2.16.

An electrician does not need a knife with a sharp blade. Firstly, during many small operations, especially in cramped and dark rooms, the electrician will involuntarily touch the cutting side with his fingers, and secondly, the metal wire will be easily damaged by a razor-sharpened blade. Thirdly, when working with a bundle of wires with a sharp knife, it is easy to damage adjacent wires.

Important! When stripping cables, the knife should be held so that the blade is located under acute angle to the cable. Otherwise, the soft metal core (copper or aluminum conductor) may be damaged. Remove the braid with light movements away from you, cutting off the shell in pieces, just like sharpening a pencil.

If the knife was purchased from the electrical department, the handle should indicate what voltage it can withstand. If you use a homemade product in your work, before removing the insulation, you need to ensure that the handle is reliably protected by wrapping it with electrically insulating material (cable braid, electrical tape). Of course, it is impossible to call this method of protecting the handle completely safe.

Electrician's knife with heel

This product is one of the types of electrician's knife. It is also called plow. This convenient device to remove the shell. It has a short, inwardly curved blade; at the tip of the blade there is a special device called the “heel”. The main purpose of this “heel” is to limit the depth of the cut when working with double insulation, when it is necessary to remove upper layer braid, and not affect the insulation of internal wires.

Important! Before removing the sheath from the cable, you need to make sure that there is no voltage using an indicator screwdriver!

The platform at the tip of the blade facilitates the longitudinal sliding of the device when removing the top layer of protection and prevents the tip from catching the internal wires. The device is excellent for cables with hard cores (VVG), but it is worse at removing a soft sheath, such as PVA (it worsens the sliding of the heel). In general, this is useful tool for removing insulation during the work of an electrician.

Knife with beak

This curved, beak-shaped inner edge makes it easier to cut the braid in a circular manner before removing it. It can also be used for longitudinal cuts, but be careful, because there is no limiting “heel” on the blade. May be inconvenient for inexperienced electricians, as the cutting depth must be adjusted manually.

Knife with hook

It is considered a professional instrument. Its blade is short and straight with a hook at the end. The sharp edge is either absent (only the hook itself is sharpened) or located on the opposite side as an addition. Suitable for stripping all major cable types.

This knife is convenient for cutting the insulation from the cable lengthwise. Many models are equipped with other devices that allow you to make circular cuts before stripping the insulation from the wire. It is very popular among professional electricians.

Pullers

You can strip the insulation from the wires using special pullers. Essentially this is universal devices for stripping wires. May contain several blades of different shapes and lengths. But the basis is a special clamp that allows you to make a circular cut in the braid of cables of different diameters.

Such tools are more convenient because they make it possible to manually select the diameter when cutting the cable braid without fear of damaging the conductor. It is not difficult to use such strippers; you just need to fix the cable being processed in the clamp and rotate the insulation stripper from the wires around it once.

Strippers

Perhaps the most common type of wire stripping tool in the arsenal of a professional electrician. These devices are electrician's assistants for conventional manual, semi-automatic or automatic wire stripping. They make stripping insulation from any cable much easier with their help.

It is very convenient to use a stripper to remove the top layer of the protective sheath from stranded wires. The cutting depth can be easily adjusted, which allows it to be used when stripping cables with large and small diameters. Stripping thin cables is easy.

The device also has a special limiter that allows you to select the length of the dielectric shell to be removed. When stripping a long length of wire, the limiter can be easily removed.

Often, a stripper for stripping wires is supplemented with other devices that make them a truly multifunctional tool. For example, their design may include press tongs. With their help you can crimp the ends of the wires. Crimping can be carried out using various sleeves and lugs, allowing their subsequent connection to electrical appliances. Often strippers are used as crimpers to connect one stripped end of wire to the other without soldering using terminals. Some models may be equipped with wire cutters.

Advantages of strippers (compared to knives):

• can be used to remove the sheath from conductors of very thin diameter (section from 0.05 mm2);
• in addition to stripping, they are used as wire cutters or press tongs to crimp the tip of the conductor;
• it is permissible to use when removing insulation from wires with any electrical insulation (silicone, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, etc.);
• with their help, they easily remove electrical insulation even from stranded wiring, cable, twisted pair;
• will not damage the current-carrying part even for conductors made of soft metal (aluminum, copper);
• easy to use;
• they cost little.

Finally, if you don’t have a professional tool or a handy knife at hand, you can use a regular soldering iron to remove the insulation from the wires. Before stripping electrical wires, its sting is heated to the appropriate temperature, then the wire is leaned against it and scrolled around the axis, burning through the insulation.

After this, the sheath can be easily removed, and the core will remain intact. The disadvantages of this cleaning method include the fact that, when melted, the plastic shell will emit unpleasant and harmful smoke. Do not use a soldering iron to strip rubber-coated cables (as the rubber will simply burn) or combustible-coated cables.

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A good electrician has a wide variety of tools in his arsenal. After all, high-quality wiring installation often depends not only on knowledge and skills, but also on the availability of certain devices, as well as skills in how to handle them.

Even such a seemingly simple question as how to strip a wire of insulation requires a certain set of tools. An experienced electrician will have a tool for high-quality stripping of wires of any type and cross-section.

The importance of proper stripping

For a high-quality and reliable electrical connection, it is important not only to correctly twist or solder. It is equally important to carefully remove the insulation from the core. In a hurry or improper use of the tool, it is easy to damage (cut) the conductive core itself. This leads to a decrease in the cross section of the wire and a faster failure of the junction: breakage or burning. As a rule, wires and cables used in everyday life have a single-core or multi-core structure. Depending on this, various tools and methods can be used to release the core from insulation. Let's consider the most commonly used of them, which are used by home and professional electricians to remove insulation.

Professional tool

Used by professional electricians special device, called stripper (KSI). Such a tool can be of three types:

1. Manual;
2. Semi-automatic;
3. Auto.

Let's look at their device in more detail.

Manual stripper

The manual device is perhaps the most common version of the stripper. Several positive factors play a role here:

• Light weight;
• Compact size;
• Several additional features that make this tool more versatile.

Such a stripper has several (usually up to seven) fixed gaps, which allow you to quickly strip the wire with a cross section of 0.25 to 2.5 mm. Of the additional features, cable cutters and the crimping function of the lugs are the most useful.

One of the varieties of a manual stripper, allows you to remove insulation from wires with a cross section from 0.6 mm to 2.6 mm

Semi-automatic CSI

This tool also has a certain number of holes in which you need to insert a wire to strip it. After that, it is enough to squeeze the handles: the sponges will close and hold the wire, and the knife will cut the insulation. As a result, the stripper will open, removing the insulation.

The advantage of such a tool is the simplicity of design and ease of use. The disadvantages include some bulkiness and impracticality: additional functions are not provided. That is why such a device has not been widely used even by professionals.

Semi-automatic wire stripping pliers KBT WS-03A

KSI-automatic

Deservedly popular among electricians who have to perform a large number of tasks every day various connections, use automatic strippers. This tool is extremely easy to use: just insert the wire into the work area and squeeze the handles. The device will carefully remove the braid from the wire, automatically determining the cross-section of the wire.

Without adjustment, such a tool works with wire with a cross-section from 0.2 to 6 mm2. It is worth noting that modern strippers have an adjusting screw that allows you to configure the device to work with wire of a smaller diameter.

KBT WS-03A clamps automatically determine the wire cross-section

In addition, the popular stripper model WS-04 has many additional functions:

• Combs on the inside of the handles allow crimping of cores in round terminals;
• Cable knives are installed next to the combs, allowing you to quickly cut the ends of the wire;
• If necessary, you can set the limiter for removing insulation, for example, 2 cm.

Multifunctional automatic stripper designed for stripping both single and double insulation. But it is worth noting that one layer of braid is removed in one operation. That is, to remove double insulation, it is necessary to perform two manipulations.

Available means

But not everyone needs to strip dozens of wires every day. In addition, a high-quality professional tool costs decent money. Therefore, in everyday life, when it is necessary to clean several ends, it is quite possible to make do with improvised means and tools that any owner has.

Stripping with a knife

The most popular tool for one-time cleaning of insulation is a regular knife. But its use is fraught with damage to the cable core. Therefore, you need to hold the knife not straight, but at an acute angle to the wire and “shape off” the insulating layer. When using a knife, you need to be careful as it can easily cut you. A stationery knife is also often used, but it is even more inconvenient to work with, and it breaks easily if the braid is very hard.

A hook-shaped knife is often used to cut cables. This knife has a wider blade and is designed to cut insulation along the cable.

Hook-shaped knife for stripping KNIPPEX KN-1220165SB is used for longitudinal cutting of insulation

The knife is also available in the form of a special clamp. The wire is inserted under clamping bar where the blade is installed. Pressing the bar with your thumb, the knife is drawn along the braid, cutting it, after which the insulation is easily removed. Such a knife costs about 200 rubles and is a fairly universal tool.

This type of knife is often used to strip insulation from UTP cables. Also on this device there is a device for clamping a UTP cable into sockets and cross-panels

Side cutters

It is very convenient to use wire cutters, which are also called side cutters. In order to quickly strip the wire of insulation, the wire cutters must be held correctly in your hand. Better take some wire cutters reverse side: so that the cutting edges are directed against the stroke. This will allow the blades to easily cut into the braid without damaging the integrity of the core. This method is easy to implement, and every owner has wire cutters. Therefore, this method of stripping wires has found wide application.

Side cutters are an essential tool for any electrician

Reflow method

The insulation reflow method is most suitable for cleaning old wiring. The fact is that over time the winding loses its elasticity, becomes rigid and at the same time fragile. If you use a mechanical tool, such as wire cutters or a stripper, the braid can crack anywhere.

In this case, you can use a soldering iron or a wood burning device. Using a heated soldering iron, the braid is melted in a circle, after which it is easily removed with wire cutters or pliers.

The advantages of this method include the ability to strip insulation from very thin wires without the risk of damaging them. Of the minuses, we note the presence of acrid smoke during melting and, of course, electricity is required.

It is highly not recommended to use teeth to remove insulation. This not only damages tooth enamel, but can also cause injury from static electricity accumulated during the wiring process. It is not lethal, but very unpleasant.

How to strip some types of wire

Sometimes there is a need to connect not an ordinary soft-braided wire, but a conductive wire with specific coating. Removing such isolation requires innovative approaches. Let's look at some options.

Enameled wire

To strip such insulation, two methods are used:

1. Mechanical method. For this method it is best to use fine sandpaper. A piece of paper is folded in half, then the wire is inserted inside the sheet. Lightly squeezing the sandpaper with your fingers, pull the wire past the free end. Such manipulations should be continued until the enamel is completely erased. This method is suitable for enameled wire with a cross-section of more than 0.2 mm2;
2. The thermochemical method is often used by radio amateurs to clean enamel from wires with a cross-section of less than 0.2 mm2. Its essence lies in the use of a soldering iron and vinyl chloride material (ordinary insulating tape with such a coating will do). A piece of tape is placed on flat surface, a piece of wire is laid on top. Use a heated soldering iron to slowly move it along the wire. The chlorine released in this process perfectly removes the enamel coating from the wire.

PTFE coated wire

Fluoroplastic is a polymer material for protective coating wires are produced in the form of a narrow tape, which is tightly wound around a conductive core. This insulation has high heat resistance (up to 300° C), does not allow moisture to pass through and is suitable for use in various difficult conditions operation.

This braid can only be removed mechanically. To do this, on one side along the wire, the insulation is carefully scraped off with a knife so as not to damage the core. Once the wire is exposed, the insulation is pulled aside and cut to the desired length.

Coaxial cable

This cable is used to connect cable or satellite TV using the F-connector. When removing insulation from this conductor, care must be taken: the wires are very thin and fragile, and are damaged very easily. You can connect the connector in the following sequence:

1. Using a knife, cut the first layer of the winding at a distance of 15 mm from the edge;
2. Using rotating movements, the cut braid is removed from the cable;
3. An aluminum or foil winding is folded onto the wire;
4. Then the insulation is removed from the central core at a distance of 10 mm from the edge;
5. After this, the connector is screwed onto the cable until it stops;
6. The central core should protrude 2 mm from the connector.

Let's sum it up

In conclusion, we note that it is impossible to name the most correct method of stripping the wire. It is important here that the insulation is removed without damaging the conductor. Each method has the right to be used in certain situations.

Separately, it is worth paying attention to the importance of working with stress removed. If it is not possible to de-energize the wiring, all work is carried out with rubber gloves and an insulated tool.

Wire Stripping Tools

When performing electrical installations of any complexity, there is almost always a need to strip wires. Some try to do this with their teeth, but there is no need to even talk about the absurdity of this method - it is necessary to use at least minimally suitable devices for these purposes - a knife, pliers, wire cutters or professional tools.

Electrician's knife for cutting cables

As electrical engineering has developed, many methods have emerged for removing the insulating coating from conductors. The most obvious is to cut or score the insulating sheath with a knife and then remove it.

Many electricians still use this method if they don’t have a specialized tool at hand. An electrician's knife can be either homemade or industrially produced for electrical installation.

It takes practice and caution when stripping wires, especially multi-strand wires, using these cutting tools. Since this is a rather troublesome process, professional electricians rarely use them for these purposes, but an electrical knife can be almost indispensable when cutting cables, that is, when removing the top layer of insulation.

removing the top layer of insulation

Particularly popular is a knife with a heel on the tip, which slides along the internal insulated conductors of the cable, cutting the outer insulating layer.

This heel is carefully inserted into the end of the cable and pushed away from you or towards you, whichever is more convenient for you, cutting the upper protective coating with a sharp cutting edge.

To make it easier to insert the heel, the cable is compressed using pliers.

For safety reasons, to avoid injury, it is recommended to always hold the cable with pliers during these manipulations.

Wire stripping methods

The insulating covering is removed from cable cores using various methods and tools that are most suitable for a specific type of insulating covering.

Since conductors with PVC insulation are most often used for installing household electrical wiring, we will only talk about tools suitable for this work, but first it is worth mentioning some homemade methods for removing the insulating protective cover. For lack of the best tools knives are most often used various designs.

Often the PVC insulation layer is melted using a soldering iron, after which the insulation is removed using pliers.

A significant disadvantage is the toxic fumes and corrosion of the soldering iron tip. Similar heat treatment is also carried out using a lighter or heated nichrome thread.

Another method is to compress the wire with wire cutters and pull off the insulation, with a adjusted compression force, which is difficult to control - by pressing a little harder you can easily bite through the metal core.

These methods are suitable for one-time stripping of several wires, but in professional work you need an appropriate tool for stripping the insulation.

Principles of stripping current-carrying conductors

There are two principles for removing the protective covering from cable cores used in professional tools - cutting and tearing the insulation.

When cutting, the cutting edge, without damaging the current-carrying core, cuts through the protective layer in a circle, after which the resulting cut tube is removed from the conductor with some force. This principle is used in a simple stripping knife.

The wire is inserted into a semicircle of a suitable radius located on the pressure plate, after which the tool is rotated several times around the core and the insulating layer pressed to the blade is cut in a circle. A similar method is used in another cutting tool - here the clamping force on the blade and the diameter of the wire to be cleaned are manually adjusted by pressure.

Other modifications:

The disadvantage of these devices is the operation time and the possibility of damage to the metal core.

Rupture and removal of insulation

This principle can be compared to the method of stripping wires with teeth, when a piece of clamped insulation is torn off from the rest of the coating when force is applied along the conductor.

Such professional tools are called strippers; they allow you to remove insulation very quickly, with one click of the handle, which makes them very beneficial for large volumes of electrical installation.

The stripper (striper, a derived word from the verb to strip - to strip) is designed in such a way that it simultaneously performs three functions:

• Fixing the wire to be cleaned;
• Compression (biting) of the insulating layer;
• The breaking and pulling force of the insulation.

The fixing jaws are notched so that they can firmly hold the cable core. The tearing jaws are equipped with grippers that bite the plastic layer, partially damaging it when pressed, due to which the insulation breaks in exactly this place.

This stripper is equipped with a limiter against which the wire rests, so all conductors will be stripped to the same distance, which can be adjusted.

The force that pushes through the insulation is adjusted using the adjustment screw.

A similar principle of cleaning wires was used in the Soviet stripper, only it did not have a limiter, and it was necessary to insert the wire into the corresponding semicircles.

Stripper using scoring blades

The principle of cutting insulation and then removing it is used in the Knipex stripper.

The same functions are used here as in the tool described above, only instead of squeezing the PVC layer, it is cut, but this stripper is structurally made of reinforced carbon fiber.

The insulation removal algorithm is as follows: inserting a wire, fixing it, cutting and removing the cover.

This tool also has an adjustment for the length of the stripped insulation and the cutting depth of the blades.

This tool has the ability to cut cables.

In addition, using this stripper you can cut wires. Regardless of the method, tool or stripper used, when stripping insulation, you should be very careful and set the stripping tool correctly so as not to damage the core, which could then break off.

infoelectrik.ru

Tool for stripping wire and cable insulation

Electrical installation of any complexity is almost always accompanied by stripping the ends of the wire. For these purposes, the most various devices. The article will tell you which tool to choose for stripping wire insulation and how to use it.

Wire thickness and current value

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. Electrical devices operate on this principle. welders.

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, they further reduce mechanical properties.

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, there are:

• Manual.
• Semi-automatic.
• Automatic.

To work with a small number of wires at home, you can use simple methods for stripping their ends.

Easy Ways to Strip Wires

Stripping the cable ends can be done in two ways:

• Thermal influence. In this case, the core is heated to the melting temperature of the insulation. This is done:

1. Melting the PVC insulating layer with a soldering iron, and then removing the coating with pliers. A big drawback is the presence of toxic fumes and corrosion on the soldering iron tip.
2. A lighter.
3. 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:

1. Take a piece of a metal hacksaw blade with a small blade.
2. They sharpen it on an emery machine to give the tool the shape of a sharp, thin wedge.
3. The handle is made by tightly winding the wire, onto which several layers of electrical tape are applied.

With such a cloth, a layer of polyvinyl chloride is perfectly cut off, but improper work with a knife easily damages copper or aluminum metal, which is close to the insulation.

Tip: When using such a homemade product, the plane of sharpening the blade should be very carefully directed at an acute angle to the cut off layer of insulation, which will allow you to slide along it when the tool touches the metal core, and not crash.

How to quickly remove the insulation from a copper wire at home, the video will tell.

Tools for professionals

A professional tool for stripping wires is:

• Forceps.
• Pliers.
• Ticks.
• Knives.

The table introduces some of them:

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. On the sponges there are 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.

Such a device for stripping wires is equipped with two pairs of sponges. During operation, the ends of the stripped cable are placed in work area tool, the insulation is cut by closing the handles of the blade, and 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 causes the jaws to clamp the wire.
• By pressing the handles to the end, 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 it. There is also a limiter for the length of the insulation 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:

1. Remove the outer shell with a soldering iron, while moving the tip in the longitudinal direction.

1. 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.

• Strip the insulating layer of the enameled wire better with a knife, with 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 system depends on the quality of the tool used and the qualifications of its owner. electrical circuit.

elektrik-a.su

Tools. Strippers - tools for removing insulation from wires - DRIVE2

The most important thing when removing insulation from wires is not to damage the conductor itself and not to damage the insulation where it should remain. And it is also important that it is fast, convenient and safe.

I have several strippers and I decided to do a short review:

Various strippers

The most ancient and proven option, which has been used by all electricians since ancient times, is these pliers for stripping insulation:

Stripping pliers, screw-adjustable, handles are insulated up to 1000V

The principle of operation is very simple - using a screw, the pliers are adjusted to the required diameter of the conductor (with a small margin, so as not to scratch the conductor itself when removing the insulation), then the wire is grasped, you can turn the pliers around the wire (to cut the insulation in a circle):

Then you simply pull the pliers towards yourself - the insulation is easily removed:

Insulation is easy to remove

These pliers come with non-insulated handles (they are cheaper), and they come with insulated handles (red or red and yellow handles, with inscriptions indicating that they have insulation up to 1000V).

I have a model with insulated handles, and this is at the same time my simplest and at the same time the most expensive stripper - it cost either 1200 rubles or 1400 rubles (despite the fact that the same ones can be found for 600 or even 300 rubles).

The fact is that this one is made in Germany, each one is tested in a voltage bath. The Chinese can lie about the insulation, and if it turns out to be of poor quality and you work under current, it could kill you. And of course, the hardness of the steel and sharpening are also very good - you can strip the finest wires without any problems.

Cons - if you work with different wire diameters, you always need to either reconfigure the screw, or have several of these pliers and get confused with them. In addition, the stripping length cannot be adjusted.

Pros - reliability, indestructibility, the ability to remove insulation in hard-to-reach places where other strippers cannot get into, and this is the only stripper that I know that can work under voltage.

He once helped me out a lot, when at the dacha at the entrance to the house a crappy contact burned out (the twist of copper and aluminum had oxidized), and our electrician had just quit. I climbed up the ladder myself, and using these insulated pliers, as well as insulated pliers, wire cutters and a screwdriver, I was able to bite, clean and restore contact, and be with the light until the real electrician arrived.)

And one more advantage was discovered: It turns out that this stripper is capable of stripping incredibly thin leads, which the rest of the strippers in this review simply tear (the diameter of the wire with insulation is less than a millimeter)!

Let me remind you that this stripper is the most expensive of those in this review, and it was made in Germany - perhaps it is very carefully made, and its cheap analogues are not capable of this, but nevertheless.

Here is another stripper, it is designed specifically for removing the OUTER sheath from round cables:

A very good and convenient tool, and it is simply indispensable for NYM type cable!

The only thing is that there are two types of them - with an additional knife (covered by a white translucent cap in the photo) and without it. So, this additional knife is absolutely not needed, in my opinion, gone are the days when wires were cut with knives, so it only gets in the way, it’s better to choose a model without it.

How this stripper works - it has a built-in thin and very sharp blade, the release of which is regulated by a screw:

The screw is adjusted so that the blade cuts through the insulation but does not touch the wires in the cable. The device is put on the cable, clamped, rotated around, and pulled to the end, cutting the insulation.

Here is a video of a similar stripper in action:

I got a small piece of excellent cable with a bunch of first-class copper wires:

With this stripper I easily freed them by removing the insulation:

You can see how the released blade cut the entire insulation

Now I am provided with wires for radio installation for a long time!)

My darling! So much joy for 1000 rubles!)

These strippers are produced under different brands, I have seen them under the brands LUX, Weicon Super No. 5, KVT and some others. They cost about 1000 rubles, 1800 rubles is the golden mean. There are cheap ones that look similar, black with black blades - complete crap, money down the drain. There are expensive professional ones of the same design, costing 3-5 thousand rubles, with a huge resource for those who do nothing but remove insulation from wires all day - this is of no use at home.

This stripper works very simply - you set the length of the insulation to be removed (on many terminals, sockets, switches, etc. they write at what length to remove the insulation for them:

It is written on the terminal that for it you need to set the length of the insulation to be removed to 10 mm - set it to 10 mm)

After this, we insert the wire inside to the limiter and remove the insulation in one motion. You don't need to adjust anything other than the removal length at all.

Here's a video of him working:

The only negative is that sometimes the remnants of the removed insulation get stuck in this stripper and you have to remove them. This happens if you slowly squeeze and unclench the handles, but if you strip them with a quick movement, the insulation immediately flies off and does not get stuck.

Probably strippers costing 4-7 thousand rubles do not have this drawback, but this is important only for professional installers who remove insulation from wires day and night.)

But it can remove insulation from the thinnest and most delicate wires, even remove first the outer sheath from them, and then the insulation from the wires inside.

There are built-in cutters for wires up to 2 mm.

This is my favorite stripper, especially good for multi-core wires.

The handles are very easy to squeeze - much easier than the next type of stripper that I will consider.

The next type is this stripper:

Stripper KVT - the workhorse of the Soviet electrician)

Very common and no longer new design stripper.

Here's a video of him working:

Why is he so good that millions choose him?

Firstly, its versatility - it can strip wires of different diameters, automatically adjusting.

Secondly, this is the most convenient stripper for working with our popular flat wire:

Flat wire

This is probably the only stripper that can carefully remove the outer insulation from such a wire, as well as strip the insulation from two or three of its wires AT THE SAME TIME!)

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a VVG type wire on hand for the demonstration, so I had to take what I had.

Usually the insulation of a flat wire is removed with a knife or something like this:

Usually a flat cable is cut with a knife or even such a thing

Which is inconvenient, because in the end it turns out like this:

The remaining insulation must be cut off with pliers

Remains of insulation stick out, so that they do not interfere, you need to cut them off with wire cutters.

But! If you use the right stripper, this is not required!)

The right tool makes the job easy, quick and neat)

The result is fast, accurate, safe:

Carefully and quickly, without unnecessary movements, the outer insulation was removed from the flat wire

This stripper can also remove insulation from two or three wires at the same time.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a suitable three-wire wire on hand, but I think the principle is clear:

Simultaneous stripping of insulation from 2 wires. NOBODY can do this anymore!))

A very convenient stripper for three-core cable.)

I really liked it too - although at first it seemed a little rough to me, but it’s for thin wires, and it cleans 220 volt electrics, especially flat VVGs and the like, just brilliantly!)

As a bonus, it has built-in cutters and some kind of crimper (crimping tool) for insulated and non-insulated tips. It’s inconvenient to use, but if you don’t have a normal crimper at hand and you need to crimp the tip, this is a lifesaver.

There is also a limiter on the length of the insulation being stripped, which is usually removed immediately.)

Like this. There will be an opportunity to supplement the article, I will also write about a stripper for coaxial cable, about a stripper-crimper for telephone and Internet cables, as well as about crimpers (tools for crimping cable lugs and sleeves).

I will only say that after stripping the insulation, stranded wires cannot be immediately clamped under a screw without preparation, since it easily destroys individual wires.

It is necessary to crimp stranded wires with insulated or non-insulated lugs:

tip insulated and non-insulated

You can see the already crimped tip above, in the photo with the first pliers, I just have already reached the photo limit.)

NSHVI (insulated pin sleeve terminal) this thing is called, it’s sold everywhere, if you need to clamp 2 wires into one such tip, you need to buy lugs with a wider plastic part - NSHVI2.

UPDATE: I made a video of some strippers working + showed crimping pliers for sleeves:

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:

1. Single-wire (rigid). They are a conductor consisting of one solid conductor.
2. Stranded (flexible). They consist of several very thin wires intertwined with each other.

To successfully remove insulation, you must use quality tool and follow the rules 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 The operating principle of this tool is similar 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 equipment repair or electrical network, make sure that there is no bare 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 of electrical installation tools. 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 press it with the sharp side of the knife and turn it 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 this is not given due importance, a dangerous situation may develop over time. 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.

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 clamp of a table lamp.
4. We cut the insulation along the conductor.
5. We make neat cuts across the section, trying not to touch the conductor with the blade.
6. Bend the cable so that the cut edges move slightly apart.
7. 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, using this method requires accuracy 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?

1. Slowly cut the insulating layer from the end along the cable, but not very deeply.
2. Using pliers, pull out one core at a time located inside.
3. Cut off the remaining piece from the outer insulation.
4. 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.

There are various wires and cables, some are laid according to a standard scheme, others are laid over the air. It is the former that have a special protective layer that prevents short circuits. Such a surface is subject to dismantling in the process of performing the simplest tasks. For example, this is the connection of two cables so that the contact point becomes as tight as possible and works efficiently.

The question arises: “How to remove insulation from wires?” To make this process easier, there are many different techniques and techniques. Because it is not always necessary to completely disassemble the cable; sometimes you just need to clean the contacts without damaging the main core.

In order not to make mistakes and understand exactly how to remove insulation from a wire, you should arm yourself with instructions and take the correct recommendations as a basis. But without the proper tools, the work will not be completed. In addition, wires and cables may have different bases, and the methods differ accordingly.

Features of stripping insulation and problems in performing the work

Before stripping the insulation from the wires, it is worth considering some of the nuances of the process. After all, the coating can be in one layer or several. The work is done quickly, but this will require the use of a stripper.

If you don’t go into details, many people don’t see any difficulties in the procedure for cleaning a cable or wire from protection. But without sharp, cutting objects, the work will not go smoothly. As a result, there is a possibility of compromising the integrity of the wire itself. The following may happen:

• Formation of holes in unnecessary places.
• There is a possibility of getting hurt.
• Damage to the conductor itself.

All this is easy to exclude if a simple and accurate instruction for implementation is taken into service. In addition, special tools are required. There is no need to rush, even if you have experience in completing the task. It is worth at least theoretically understanding how to remove insulation from wires with a tool.

What kind of wires are there?

There are two main cores used in the process - copper and aluminum. If you remove the insulation, then with each view you will have to be careful and take your time. In terms of strength, copper retains its integrity longer than aluminum. Below we will consider the properties and characteristics of each.

Aluminum:

• Density is expressed in t/m3. More than 2.6.
• There is no resistance to frequent bending.
• It will not be possible to create a multi-wire core.
• The specific resistance is negligible.

• Density is expressed in t/m3. More than 8.8.
• Resistance to frequent bending is present.
• It will be possible to create a multi-wire core.
• The resistivity is good.

From these data, we can conclude that the copper wire is better and its current conductivity is higher. But aluminum is not reliable high level, so it is used less often. Great care will have to be taken during the cleaning process. Therefore, before removing the insulation from the copper wire, it is worth making a small notch and preparing the appropriate tool. There are not so many options for working with cables and wires, it is important to choose not just a suitable method, but an effective one.

What methods are effective?

Most of the skill in removing the protective layer from a cable or wire comes with time and practice. Especially when you need to do cleaning on the thinnest possible wire.

The main thing is to correctly choose the degree of application of force and pressure on the tool. In addition, the speed of work and the final result depend on the direction of movement. You will have to understand how deep the main vein is. This will determine whether it is damaged or not. Before you remove the insulation from or copper, you will have to figure out what kind of material is inside.

The simplest options for doing the job:

• Use of clerical or regular knife. If you chose the first option, then you should not take too large, they are inconvenient to work with. The pressure should not be maximum, since their blade is quite sharp. A simple knife should have a narrow blade and high-quality sharpening.
• Using side cutters. This is a convenient design, it is similar to scissors, but more durable and sharp. They are sold at any hardware store, although many always have them on hand.
• Burning. This is another good option and less dangerous. To do this, you need to apply high temperature so that the winding melts. If you need to make a small release, then this method is ineffective, since a fairly large area is burned.
• Using a stripper. This is the tool chosen by professionals.

Using a knife

How to quickly remove insulation from wires? This is the most common and effective method, but it is very traumatic. When you need to process a small number of wires at home, this option is quite suitable. The main thing you need to know is at what angle to hold the tool. You can’t do circular movements, because it’s completely ineffective. Because with this option there is a high probability of cutting the main working core. After this, the wires will become unusable.

The angle of inclination is as sharp as possible so that the blade does not penetrate deeply into the body of the wire. Only minor slipping is allowed. You should choose the “pull away” position - such conditions are safe for the worker and for the cable itself.

Electrician's knife

An electrician's knife is the most convenient tool. It has a heel, making it quite easy to hold. At the same time, the core is protected as much as possible, your hands are safe, and the insulation is removed efficiently. This is the answer to the question: “How to quickly remove the insulation from a copper or aluminum wire?”

Side cutter - effective help

This is a metal tool with comfortable handles. But most often the work is done by craftsmen. This process requires knowing how much force to apply, otherwise the main core may be damaged. Electricians know how to carry out the stripping process. The side cutter is used in several cases:

• When the cable is too thick, biting is done in several places along the entire length, and then the insulation is removed by hand. This option is quite suitable for inexperienced people. But the cuts must be made carefully so as not to violate the integrity of the main cable.
• You need to run the strip along its entire length, and then remove the main winding downwards.
• Through a distance of 3 centimeters, cuts are made with a side cutter. After which you need to remove the winding in small pieces.

These are the simplest options for people without experience and more. Craftsmen can easily work with this tool. This option will help you easily remove the insulation from the wire for scrapping. In order not to damage the main core, it is worth holding the sharpened jaws in the opposite direction of tightening and removing the insulation. This allows you to not disrupt anything and get the job done quickly.

Today, there are wires on sale on which the manufacturer makes special notches during the creation process so that the insulation is quickly removed. Therefore, before removing the insulation from the copper wire, it is worth considering it: you may not even need tools.

Burning

This is the easiest way when you need to remove insulation to transfer wires. This is also the most effective method if the inside is made of polyvinyl chloride. When you want to process a small area, then use a lighter or soldering iron. Under thermal influence, the winding softens, and it simply comes off the wire. If the winding thickness is small, this option is the most effective.

There is one drawback - it is the presence of a smell. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out work in a room with access to fresh air. Toxic secretions during the roasting process adversely affect the state of the body.

What is a stripper?

It is these tools that help to do the procedure quickly and efficiently. But not every cable is suitable for such work. The cross section must be at least 0.2 mm. On sale or from the masters you can find various types of devices:

• Manual stripper without add-ons. Its use is similar to working with a side cutter: notches are made, after which the winding is removed. But this option is not suitable for every section.
• Semi-automatic At the base there is an adjustment lever that regulates the degree of pressure, after which, when the handles are closed, the main process of stripping begins.
• Machine. This is the most the best option because it is based on several functions - cutting, stripping, crimping conductors.

As a result, this method brings many positive aspects. The main thing is that cuts of the main core are completely excluded. As a result, this method can be called the best. It is the stripper that allows you to properly remove insulation from wires without damaging the core.

Cable check

When work is underway to get rid of the winding, you need to carry out actions in a clear sequence. Each cable has its own characteristics. Work on a copper cable should be carried out in the following order, since it has two layers of PVC insulation:

• The power supply is turned off.
• During the installation of the outlet, you need to clean only a strictly defined area. 15 cm is enough. A person without experience should not reduce this distance. For this procedure, a side cutter is used.
• The upper part is cut and carefully removed.
• The required length is set on the stripper, after which the phase and neutral conductors placed in the instrument. A complete cleanup is being done.

This is the whole scale of work, after which it is required to fix the outlet. It is not difficult to make such a procedure, although mistakes are often made. The wire breaks, and you have to strip further.

How not to perform pressure testing?

Experts believe that removing insulation from cables and wires is not so easy. As a result, many mistakes are made that lead to the main core being undercut. 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, a sharp slip occurs 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.

We repair headphones

A common problem when using headphones is a violation of the integrity of the wire. To restore it, you need to choose a simple clerical knife for work. The procedure takes place in several stages:

• It is necessary to find the breakdown.
• Remove the top winding by making a neat longitudinal cut.
• Connect the components and insulate them.

How to remove wire insulation from headphones?

You can use a sheet of sandpaper. Its granularity does not matter (the main thing is to perform work on the front side of the element). We set the edge of the wire on sandpaper and press on top with a soldering iron. It will melt our winding. Further, its remains can be removed by hand. As a result, we get a wire without insulation. After that, you can make a connection using the same soldering iron. This is not a long procedure, but everyone can come to a positive result. No need to experiment, each tool does its job. When working with wires and cables, a sharp knife and a stripper are used; in other situations, it is worth choosing the appropriate devices.

Conclusion

So, we looked at how to properly remove the insulation from the wires. As you can see, there are different instruments and methods. You just need to choose the most suitable one and follow the instructions.