Stripping cables is as naturally part of the job of an electrician as mixing cocktails is part of that of a bartender. Be it when laying electrical cables, setting switches and sockets or installing power and fuse boxes – all of this work includes stripping and connecting electrical conductors. In order to free a cable from its protective cover, you first and foremost need sharp blades. Anyone who works with an ordinary craft knife here runs the risk not only of injuring the inner conductors, but also of injuring themselves.
Fortunately, there are numerous tools today that enable precise, fast and safe stripping and stripping. Even the hobby craftsman at home can cope with these without any problems. We’ll show you what makes working with these tools so easy.
The right tool for every cable
Which tool is used, where and when, depends not only on the personal preferences of the user, but also on the type of cable. The manufacturer WEICON TOOLS offers a comprehensive overview of cables that will help you choose the right tool. We would like to elaborate on a few application examples in this article.
Problem-free stripping for laymen and professionals
When stripping common round cables, for example, a stripper or a cable knife with an integrated adjusting screw can be used. With the help of this adjusting screw, the cutting knife of the tool can be continuously adjusted in height and set precisely to the respective sheath thickness of the cable – without damaging the inner conductor when stripping the insulation. Thanks to the self-rotating cutting knife, the changeover from round to lengthwise cuts takes place automatically during stripping.
The No. S 4-28 Multi from WEICON TOOLS. The tool for stripping all common round cables (working range 4-28 mm Ø) has, in addition to the cutting knife with adjusting screw, an additional stripping function for all common flexible and solid conductors with a cross-section between 0.5 and 6 mm². The Multi stands for safe stripping and stripping in just one tool.
But what about round cables whose insulation is somewhat harder and more complex? WEICON TOOLS also offers a convenient solution for this: With the robust cable knife No. 4-29 Spiral can be used to remove hard insulation from cables with a diameter of 4.5-29 mm and a sheath thickness of up to 3 mm. And the name already gives it away: In addition to a circular and longitudinal cut, the tool also has a spiral cut. This means that even complex insulation can be neatly processed – without any effort or risk of injury. And above all without daring attempts with the craft knife.
Classic in every tool box: the wire stripper
Stripping pliers belong in every well-stocked toolbox. A basic distinction is made here between mechanical and self-adjusting automatic wire strippers. But what is the difference between the two types? With mechanical pliers, only one diameter can be set manually using a small dial. This means that if you want to process different cross-sections one after the other, the diameter has to be readjusted each time. This procedure not only takes a sure instinct, but also a lot of time. Working with a self-adjusting automatic wire stripper is much easier. This means that different diameters and cross-sections can be machined at any time. When you squeeze the handles, the blade of the pliers first cuts into the insulation precisely and then pulls it off the conductor. Damage to the inner conductor is excluded here.
The product range of wire strippers includes many different types that can be used in different areas and are tailored to the individual needs of the user. For example, there are not only pliers for common round cables, but also for particularly fine wires or flat cables. If you would like to have several functions in one wire stripper, you can use tools with integrated side cutters or the additional option of crimping.
The No. 6 from WEICON TOOLS offers a little special feature: The automatic pliers are suitable for all flexible and solid conductors from 0.2-6 mm² and enable precise work thanks to an adjustable length stop of 5-12 mm. Admittedly, that’s not that special. In addition, the pliers are fully insulated. In other words, it is subject to routine testing in accordance with IEC 60900 and enables working with voltages of up to 1000 volts.
Der gemeinsame Nenner
Dieser kurze Einblick lässt erahnen, wie vielseitig die Ansprüche und damit die Auswahlmöglichkeiten an Abisolierwerkzeugen mittlerweile sind. Dabei haben wir nicht mal die ganz „speziellen Fälle“, wie Koaxial- oder Glasfaserkabel angesprochen. Auch hierfür gibt es heute extra passende Tools. Doch trotz ihrer Verschiedenheit, haben die Werkzeuge eins gemeinsam: Sie alle ermöglichen ein unkompliziertes Abisolieren ohne Verletzungsgefahr.
Images: WEICON
