How Can I Strip a Wire Without Damaging It?
Wire stripping is vital, especially for electricians, Do-it-yourself enthusiasts, or individuals engaged in professional electrical works. It may sound easy, but incorrect stripping of wires can cause harm to the conductors, bad connections, and even electric risks. Well, how do you strip a wire without damaging it? Therefore, selecting the appropriate methods, approaches, and safety measures is advisable. This article will detail exactly how to strip a wire correctly and, more importantly, why using a quality wire stripper tool is paramount.
The Importance of Proper Wire Stripping
1- Reliable Electrical Connections
A good striping job guarantees strong and positive contact between the wire and the terminal or the connector.
2- Reduced Resistance
Stripped wires prevent excess heat accumulation from the high electrical resistance of the cables.
3- Improved Safety
Appropriately, stripping minimizes short circuits and the risk of electric shocks.
Steps to Strip a Wire Without Damaging It
1- Choose the Best Wire Stripper
The first procedure is to select an appropriate wire stripper suitable to the kind and gauge of the wire used. A specialized tool like the ICP-065 Multi-functional Wire Stripper is designed to be accurate and suitable for use across numerous wires' thicknesses. Using a dedicated wire stripper makes it easy to strip the conductor neatly with less chance of damaging it.
2- Identify the Wire Gauge
Before starting, it is advisable to look at the wire gauge. The general wire stripper tools are usually marked with slots of varied gauges of wires. Ensuring the wire is aligned to the correct slot while removing insulation without cutting into the conductor is useful.
3- Position the Wire Properly
Insert the wire into the correct position on the wire stripper. Position it so that on its withdrawal, it will take along only the desired quantity of insulation. Again, depending on the project's requirement, it can range between a quarter to half an inch.
4- Apply Gentle Pressure
To strip the wires, close the handles of the wire stripper gently but firmly. With these features, the conductor will not be cut, but a score will be made on the insulation. Do not apply too much pressure on the wire, as this may cause some harm to the wire.
5- Pull Off the Insulation
When that is done, pull the insulation off while holding the wire firmly with the other hand using a wire stripper. The conductor should be left undamaged and cleanly exposed after a seamless procedure.
6- Inspect the Wire
When the conductor is stripped, its surface should be checked for cuts, nicks, or other damage. Usually, when the conductor is damaged, it can compromise the wire's efficiency and safety.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Stripping
1- Using the Wrong Tool
Using utility knives or pliers should be avoided because it is likely to cause harm to the wire.
2- Applying Too Much Force
High pressure on the conductor's surface can damage it.
3- Stripping Too Much Insulation
The accidental contact and short circuit risks are high when more conductors are exposed than required.
Ways of Stripping Different Strips of Wires
1- Solid Wires
Solid Wires are more manageable to strip since they comprise only one conductor around its circumference. A precise tool such as the IWS-0822 AWG22-8 Wire Stripper ensures the conductor is not damaged.
2- Stranded Wires
The stranded wires are considered more delicate because of their multiple thin strands. Be careful while stripping it to prevent damaging the strands and cutting down its effective length. Apply tools such as the Multi-functional Wire Stripping Tool.
3- Coaxial Cables
To strip coaxial cables, one must strip several layers of insulation and shielding, followed by dielectric layers. It has to be done with a specialized coaxial cable stripper such as the ICP-065 Multi-functional Wire Stripper.
Why Should You Use the Wire Stripper Tool
Both experts and beginners utilize the wire stripper tool. Here's why:
1- Precision
Consequently, there are no conductor damages when using Insulation Cutting Shear due to its capability of making clean Cuts. The IWS-0822 AWG22-8 Wire Stripper is an ideal example.
2- Versatility
It is flexibly designed to accept many wire gauges, making it perfect for various applications.
3- Durability
It is built with high quality and adequately engineered, so it can last long even if used frequently.
4- Ergonomics
These handles do not cause hand fatigue, for example, the ICP-240 Wire Stripper, even when performing heavy work for a long time.
Read more: How to Crimp a Battery Cable?
Final Thought
The proper equipment, cautious technique, and attention to detail are necessary for safely stripping wires. You can always get exact results by using a high-quality wire stripper tool such as the iCrimp wire stripper. iCrimp catalog constitutes an assortment of superior quality wire stripper instruments, the beginning of more secure electrical work.
References
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