Working with wires and cables requires stripping the products from the insulating layer. This layer is usually thin and easily damaged when trying to remove, so you need to know how to strip the wires. In order to properly strip the conductor from insulation and avoid mistakes, certain rules and recommendations should be followed.
Features of the structure of conductors
Electrical wires and cables differ in their structure. They are single-core and multi-core, and are also made of different materials (copper, aluminum). In the first case, the device has one core, which is enclosed in insulation. Stranded wires are several cores that are twisted together and enclosed in a common insulation.
The insulating layer protects the product from external influences. It can be single or double and can be made from the following dielectric materials:
- Plastic. Typically thermoplastics are used that support combustion. For special applications, thermosetting plastics are used on products with increased requirements.
Shielding cable - Rubber. It hardens when heated, sustains combustion.
- Fabric-based. There are certain types of fabrics that can retain their properties at temperatures up to 400 ° C.
- Shielding braid. Protects the product from electromagnetic interference. In fact, it is not an insulator.
- Reservation. Protects the cable from damage.
Depending on the type of insulating layer and its thickness, the method of removal is selected.
What is stripping for?
Stripping of conductor insulation may be required in different cases. Most often, removal is necessary:
- when connecting two wires;
- when performing wiring indoors;
- for connecting lamps;
- for connecting electrical equipment;
- for the installation of sockets and switches;
- when installing equipment in a junction box.
All work with electric current must be carried out with the power off. Also, the master must have personal protective equipment and a professional serviceable tool.
How to do a cleanup and basic mistakes
To clean the wires safely and correctly, you need to follow a few simple requirements.
- The exposed part must be completely covered by the joint.
- The insulating layer must be removed from the core on all sides.
Most often, home craftsmen make the following mistakes when cleaning:
- Leave the bare wire exposed. This could result in electric shock to a person.
- Leave fragments of insulation on the conductor. Then the conductor will not be completely and reliably crimped, which will affect the quality of the contact.
You will need a special tool or knife to strip the insulation.
Removal with a sharp knife
A knife is a tool that any home craftsman has. It allows you to expose not only individual wires, but also cables with multiple conductors.
Benefits:
- any specialist has a knife;
- easy to set up the tool for work;
- Convenient layer removal from thick conductors.
For proper stripping, the knife blade must be sharp, placed parallel to the vein.First, a thin layer of insulation is cut off. By turning the wire, the insulation is removed from the other sides. The work is completed only after removing the layer from all sides. This method is convenient for stripping thick cables and wires.
It is important to do the job carefully, without leaving any blade marks on the wire itself. In the future, a critical zone may arise in these places, which will lead to the destruction of the wire. For this reason, it is recommended that you choose a different method to strip the thin wire.
Removal with special tools
Using a stripper knife is not the best method. There is a high risk of damage to the conductor, which is why you need to work very carefully and accurately. Professional electricians have in their arsenal special devices for stripping wires - strippers:
- A suitable place is chosen for exposing the wire, which is called a stream.
- A guide is installed in the stream.
- The handles of the automatic stripper are removed.
- The wire is crimped, after which the scraper removes the insulation.
The advantages of the device include high speed of the procedure, reliability and durability. The disadvantage is the high price. Such mechanisms are bought by professionals who are constantly faced with the need to strip wires from insulation.
Making a homemade removal device
Some DIYers prefer to use homemade insulation strippers. To create a device, you need a strip of metal - for example, a cloth from a hacksaw. An angled slot is made in it for the diameter of the conductor. The inner surface is sharpened for sharp edges.
The cable is inserted into the corner slot and locked into it. Then, with effort, you need to stretch it. As a result, the insulation must be removed from the metal without much difficulty.
Instead of a homemade tool, you can use special pliers with slots. The algorithm and principle of stripping the insulation from the wire is similar.
Alternative stripping methods
Rarely, combs are used to clean the wire. These are devices for removing one- and two-sided layers. They are inexpensive and easy to strip.
You can use side cutters. They also crimp the wire on both sides. To remove the insulation, gently pull on the conductor. During operation, do not squeeze the handles strongly, otherwise the core will be damaged.
If the insulation is made of cloth material, it is difficult to remove. The thread is tightly wound around the core, making it difficult to remove with a knife. In this case, cleaning is carried out using fine-grain sandpaper. She needs to clean the area on one side. The rest of the thread will be removed easily after such manipulations. The method is actively used by radio amateurs for the PELSHO wire.
To remove the protection from the shielded wire, cuts are made in the outer sheath. Then it is removed, after which the shielding braid is untwisted. The final step is to remove the insulating layer from the middle conductor.
Sometimes, to expose the cable, it is necessary to burn the conductor using heated surfaces. Open fire can also be used to remove protection. Removal may be uneven and may damage the conductor. This method is dangerous, therefore GOST prohibits its use.
