Stripping insulation from electrical wires is a task that DIYers and manufacturers do regularly, but it’s not an easy skill to learn and can make things really messy, especially is when the wire is thin and easy to break.
Also: How to fix broken wires the easy way – with heat shrink connectors
I came across a good example of this the other day when someone asked me for advice. In the process of stripping the insulation of wires connected to a component, they accidentally broke the wires and made them too short to use. Nothing some precision welding cannot be repairedbut still, a glitch they can do without.
Here’s how to strip the cord the easy way. Actually, I’ll show you two ways.
Method 1: Use snip
To use this method, you will need some micro cutters. Here I am using Knipex electronic pliersBut any good quality photos can do the trick (you can buy a pack of five for about $12).
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Super Knips Electronic Knipex 125mm
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First, I used the drill bit to gnaw a bit of the insulation, breaking the surface but not getting far to the conductor below.
Next, I placed the blade in the spot where I had chewed the insulation, applied a little gentle pressure to the cut — enough to clamp the insulation, but not enough to cut the wire — and then That put pressure with my thumb on the back of the cutter.
Thumb pressure on the slice will cause the insulation to fly away (hopefully you won’t find it in your coffee later!).
And you’re done!
Method 2: Use a cable stripper
If you have a lot of wire to strip, there’s nothing like a dedicated cable stripper. This Knipex cable stripping pliers It’s not cheap, but it’s packed with all sorts of features, from the ability to strip insulation from wires of different diameters to the ability to safely cut the outer sheath of cables. There’s even a hidden blade for trimming.
The ability to strip insulation without damaging the conductor is the most important benefit.
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Knipex multi-function cable stripping pliers
Cable stripper with cross section and an additional blade for longitudinal cutting.
When in doubt, choose a larger size and reduce it gradually until you find one that sticks to the insulation without biting into the wire underneath.
Clip the stripper down to the wire and twist.
Apply pressure to push the tool out of the wire to remove the insulation.
The insulation will be peeled off, sliding along the conductor leaving the conductor undamaged.
This tool retains a bit of insulation, so it won’t get into your coffee!
