As a DIYer or a professional electrician, you may encounter a need to strip wires. Wire stripping is a common activity that involves removing the insulation from electrical wires to expose the conductive metal for connection purposes. However, this task can be tricky, and common mistakes can lead to injuries, damage to the wire, or even cause electrical faults. To ensure you complete the task safely and accurately, here are common mistakes to avoid when stripping wire:
Not Wearing Protective Gear
When handling wires, it’s essential to protect yourself from potential hazards such as electric shock, cuts, and eye damage. Therefore, before starting the wire stripping process, ensure you put on protective gear. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from wire fragments that may fly off during the stripping process. Additionally, put on gloves to protect your hands from cuts and abrasions from the wire’s sharp edges. If you’re working with live electrical wires, wear rubber gloves and boots to protect yourself from electric shock.
Using the Wrong Tools
Using the wrong tools to strip wires can cause damage to the wire and lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, ensure you use the correct tools for the job. There are different types of wire stripping tools available, including wire strippers, pliers, and scissors. Wire strippers are the most recommended tools for stripping wires as they are designed to remove insulation from the wire without damaging the conductive metal. Pliers and scissors, on the other hand, can easily damage the wire insulation, leading to inaccurate results.
Applying Too Much Pressure
Applying too much pressure when stripping wires can damage the conductive metal or even break the wire. Therefore, it’s essential to strip the wire gently and avoid using excessive force. Use the wire stripper to grip the insulation and gently twist the wire stripper around the wire to remove the insulation. Avoid squeezing the wire stripper too tightly around the wire as this may damage the wire’s conductive metal.
Not Measuring the Wire Correctly
Before stripping the wire, you need to measure the wire accurately to determine the length of insulation to remove. Failing to measure the wire correctly can lead to inaccurate results, such as exposing too much of the wire’s conductive metal or leaving too much insulation on the wire. To measure the wire, use a ruler or a tape measure and measure the length of the wire you wish to strip. Once you have the measurement, adjust the wire stripper’s jaws to match the wire’s diameter and strip the wire accordingly.
Stripping Too Much Insulation
Stripping too much insulation from the wire can damage the conductive metal or even expose live wires, leading to electrical faults or injuries. Therefore, it’s essential to strip only the required amount of insulation from the wire. To achieve this, use the wire stripper’s adjustable jaws to match the wire’s diameter and adjust it accordingly. Gently twist the wire stripper around the wire to remove the insulation, ensuring you stop once you reach the required length.
Not Stripping Enough Insulation
Stripping too little insulation from the wire can also lead to electrical faults or injuries. Failure to expose enough of the conductive metal on the wire can cause poor connections, leading to electrical faults or even fire hazards. Therefore, ensure you strip the wire to the required length. To achieve this, use the wire stripper’s adjustable jaws to match the wire’s diameter and adjust it accordingly. Gently twist the wire stripper around the wire to remove the insulation, ensuring you expose the required length of the conductive metal.
Stripping Too Quickly
Stripping wires too quickly can lead to inaccurate results as it’s easy to damage the conductive metal or even cause accidents. Therefore, take your time when stripping wires, and avoid rushing the process. Gently twist the wire stripper around the wire, ensuring you move it slowly and steadily to avoid damaging the wire or the conductive metal. This is especially important when working with delicate wires or live electrical wires.
Neglecting Wire Condition
Before stripping wires, ensure you inspect the wire’s condition to determine if it’s suitable for stripping. Wires that are damaged, corroded, or have exposed conductive metal should not be stripped as they can cause electrical faults or even injuries. Therefore, ensure you inspect the wire’s condition before stripping it.
Not Following Safety Procedures
Working with electrical wires can be dangerous, and failing to follow safety procedures can lead to injuries or even fatalities. Therefore, ensure you follow strict safety procedures when stripping wires. Use the correct tools, wear protective gear, inspect the wire’s condition, and work in a well-ventilated area to minimize the risk of accidents or electrical faults.