Stripping outdoor cable requires a careful process to avoid damaging the internal wires. Here's a step-by-step guide based on best practices:
Steps:
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Prepare your tools: You'll need dikes (diagonal cutting pliers), a box cutter or utility knife, and possibly wire strippers depending on the type of cable.
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Initial Cut: Use your dikes to carefully make a small notch at the end of the cable. Aim for the area where the ground wire is located, cutting parallel to the internal wires. Be cautious not to cut too deep and damage the conductors inside.
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Longitudinal Slice: Using your box cutter or utility knife, carefully slice down the middle of the outer jacket. Angle the blade slightly so that it rides along the side of the ground wire, using it as a guide. The goal is to split the outer jacket without nicking the insulation of the inner wires.
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Separate and Expose: Once you've sliced far enough (a few inches should suffice), gently pull the outer jacket apart along the cut you made. This should expose the inner wires and ground wire.
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Remove Excess Sheathing: Clip off the excess paper, sheathing, and any filler material, leaving only the insulated conductors and ground wire.
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Strip Individual Wires (if needed): If the individual wires also need to be stripped, use wire strippers to remove the insulation from the ends, exposing the conductive copper. Ensure you use the correct gauge setting on the strippers to avoid damaging the wire.
Important Considerations:
- Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Wear appropriate safety glasses to protect your eyes.
- Avoid Deep Cuts: Be extra careful not to cut too deeply into the cable, as you could damage the insulation on the inner wires.
- Ground Wire Awareness: Be mindful of the ground wire's position to avoid accidentally cutting it during the stripping process.
- Cable Type: Different types of outdoor cables (e.g., UF cable, direct burial cable) may have slightly different construction. Adjust your technique accordingly.
Why this method works:
This method involves scoring the outer jacket and then slicing along the cable length, which prevents unnecessary force and reduces the risk of damaging the internal wires. Using the ground wire as a guide for the longitudinal slice further minimizes the risk of nicking the insulated conductors.
