Stripping Wire Effectively

[tesla]

Got some questions regarding stripping wire. When stripping stranded wire if I nick or even cut off a few strands will that be a problem? I usually re-strip but haven't always in the past. Currently I'm installing a fuse box and my stripper doesn't seem to work as well on larger wires such as 10 and 12 gauge. I just stripped a 12 gauge wire and probably cut about 6 of the many strands (maybe 30 or more?). Looks like I may need to use a knife to get a clean cut. Any ideas?

 

[tesla]

Duplicate post deleted.

 

[puppychow]

R = p*(L/A). The length of the stripped area is pretty darn small as compared to the rest of the length of the wire to cause any significant bump in resistance. That's my 2 pence. Now granted you don't want to strip way too many of the strands, as current does flow through those strands and if you strip it too narrow you might suffer the deletrious affects of electro-migration and thermal failure, which might deep-six your wiring, but a couple of strands here and there haven't given me cause for worry.

 

[gixxerjasen]

With your username, you should be the one schooling us!

 

[Checkswrecks]

You just reduced it by about 20% to 14 gauge and none of us know what loads you are putting on the fuse block. Take a look at this chart to see if 14 ga will be insufficient:

https://vk3kid.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/wiringdiagram.jpg

One stripper does not fit all & obviously, you are not using the stripper made for that gauge wire and insulation. Two thoughts:

1. Rotate the wire in the stripper to score around before squeezing enough to separate the end. Practice first.

2. Using a sharp razor, cut around the insulation only enough to score it, NOT to reach the copper. Then use something OTHER than the razor to pull the end of the insulation off.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Get a new stripper. With multiple gauge holes. And try to restrain your posting finger a little.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Make sure your stripper is made for stripping stranded wire. Solid copper wire as used in house wiring has a smaller diameter than stranded. I use Ideal T5 stripper. After slipping the wire in the proper notch you can control how deep you cut the insulation, don't cut all the way thru. Pull the insulation off with the plier tip of the stripper.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your development of alternating current, it has provided me with a good living. Maybe you're having trouble cuz the wire you're stripping is being used in a DC application. Where's Edison when you need him?

 

[puppychow]

From Checkswrecks chart. Running 14Ga for 30A is OK for up to 4'. Now, you haven't really reduced the 12Ga wire to 14 Ga completely by just stripping a small portion of the end to 14Ga while the rest of the wiring remains 12 Ga. Yes, you might want to practice your wire stripping a little better, but like I said a couple of strands here and there haven't hurt me. If you think 6 strands out of say 30 or so is too many, cut it and strip it again till you get it down to a 3-4 if it is good for your peace of mind.

 

[kawabeemer]

Invest in a multi size wire stripper. Even an el cheapo will save you time and headaches.

 

[Patriot]

I use my teeth

 

[puppychow]

If your stripping (wut?) skills are still lacking, despite proper tools, strip the wire longer than you have to. Then in case you strip off too many strands, just fold the stripped wiring upon itself since it has extra length and intertwine them together.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I use my teeth

What a man. And he leaves the power on when he does it!

 

[ridernotbiker]

Sometimes my eyes see what my mind wants to see...

"Stripping Wife Effectively"...

then I read SacramentoMike's post, "Get a new stripper. With multiple gauge holes. And try to restrain your posting finger a little."

...and again my mind wanders.

 

[James Burleigh]

Meh.... You're over-thinking and worrying about it. I recommend my approach: Just strip the sh*t outta everything and throw it all together with whatever wire you got hanging around. Blue's always nice. Then when something doesn't work, ask all the forum sparkies WTF is up wit dat sh*t. Works for me.

 

[Patriot]

I use my teeth

What a man. And he leaves the power on when he does it!

standing in a puddle of non-silicate coolant

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Seriously what is the price of a decent pair of wire strippers when weighed against subpar electrical connections? If you can afford to fill the gas tank on your motorcycle you can afford to buy a tool that useful. You probably will be fine but think about these terms and the one word common to all: electrical connection, electrical heater, electrical failure, electrical fire...

 

[odot]

I like my strippers hot.....and with red hair.......

...and with large tracks of land........

 

[escapefjrtist]

As much as it pains me to agree with Odot...he's almost on the right track this time.

Thermal Strippers are the shizzle for wiring jobs, no nicked wires ever!

--G

 

[SacramentoMike]

As much as it pains me to agree with Odot...he's almost on the right track this time.
Thermal Strippers are the shizzle for wiring jobs, no nicked wires ever!

--G

GEEZ, George! Really? Sum a them puppies are $400! A little further down the page was what I was talking about--$16. And they look a hell of a lot nicer than the ones I use (which work fine).

And Ridernotbiker: That thing about the finger--he posted the same thing three times in a row. Guess a couple of them have gone away now.

BTW, I like redheads too.