How to Use Wire Strippers

Getting the right tool for your work is a critical issue. For someone electrical operations is an important and responsible work, since the poor wiring system can cause damages or lead to injuries. Wire stripper is one of the major tools that is used for removing insulation that covers the wire. This tool increases efficiency for professional electricians.

What is Wire Stripper and Parts of the Tool

Wire stripper is a compact tool that is used by electricians for removing protective covering of a wire with an intention of changing or repairing the wire. This tool also allows stripping endpoints of wires to connect them with the other ones or to terminals. Wire strippers are used to remove the insulation to connect the wires with each other.

The tool is accessible in different sizes, shapes and often includes wire cutters. Wire strippers have several blade slots that match the certain wire gauges. It is important to mention that stranded wires have a bigger diameter than solid ones. In this case some wire strippers have two sets of numbers according to the wire type. For instance the hole for 12 gauge solid wire is used for the 14 gauge stranded wire. That is why always check the marking for the wire type you want to cut.

Construction of wire stripper

1. Holding tip creates hooks in a wire;	3. Wire cutter;	5. Crimpers for the connectors;	7. Handles.
2. Blade slots of different size;	4. Bolt shear;	6. Hook hole to make hooks in a wire;

How to Use Wire Strippers

Step 1 Identify the gauge and type of the wire. You can check the gauge type on the outer part of the covering that ties wires together. Also notice the type of the wire, whether it is stranded copper or solid.

How to Use Wire Strippers

Step 2 Find a certain labeled hole that matches to the wire you want to strip. If the hole is too big for the wire, you won’t get fully cut and the stripping will be hard. Too small hole can damage the wire totally.

How to Use Wire Strippers

Step 3 Open the wire and fix the wire to the correct hole. Tie the handles together until they fix the wire. Twist the strippers if the wire insulation hasn’t cut entirely. Just make a quarter turn in one direction and back, don’t twist so far.

How to Use Wire Strippers

Step 4 Strip the insulation and remove the tool towards the wire to take the insulation out. Someone finds it easy to fix the strippers to the wire with one hand and then take the insulation out with the other, while the tool is holding the wire tightly.

Types of wire strippers

Firstly, when you start working with wires, you should determine what type of strippers to choose. You should note, scissors or a knife should be used in a squeeze. It is necessary to choose the correct tool not to damage the wire and to make your work much faster and easier.

Adjustable wire strippers is the tool of a simple design, with a single notch in blades. The tool has a stop screw that provides you to cut the needed thickens of the wire.

Self-adjusting stripper provides an automatic adjustment to different thickness levels of the wires. Such strippers make the work much faster and easier as you don’t need to continuously make adjustments.

Gauged automatic wire strippers have features of both the self-adjusting and gauged strippers. The tool allows you to choose the proper size of the wire and after the cut it returns to its standard position.

Wire Stripper and Cutter is a combination tool that has advantages according to the job they are used. Such a tool has notched holes for proper stripping and a sharp blade for proper cutting. You don’t need to change the tool, because you have two-in-one.

Pneumatic wire stripper is the tool that needs only a hand switch or sensor to regulate the speed of wire stripping. This is a perfect equipment for those who work with large-volume devices with gauged electrical wires.

The type of wire strippers should also rely on the hardness of work you are going to do. If you cut a lot of wires you should choose the quality, durable tool that won’t break or damage the wire.