There are a plethora of different wires and wire types, most of which include insulation, which protects both the wire inside from damage and environmental effects, and also protects the electricians and end users from receiving an electric shock!

 

This insulation however needs to be stripped away in order to terminate the wire into an outlet. So how is this achieved?

Well, there isn’t one answer, it’s mostly down to user preference, below are just a few examples of how wires are stripped , we’re using Grey PVC flat twin and earth cable as our example, as this is the most common cable used in the UK household.

 

Method 1

• Side cutters through the centre of the cable

• Manually pull away the live and neutral cable away from the middle using your hands in order to peel back the outer sheathing.

• Cut away the outer insulation

• Use the side cutter to score the outside of the inner insulation then remove.

​

Method 2

• Side cutters through the centre of the outer insulation, exposing the earth wire in the centre

• Gripping the earth with the side cutter and pull through the outer insulation along the length of the outer insulation.

• Expose the live and neutral wires.

• Cut away the grey outer insulation

• Use the side cutter to score the outside of the inner insulation then remove.

 

Method 3

• Using a cable knife, score the outer sheathing down the centre

• Peel back the outer sheathing and cut away.

• Score the inner sheathing with a knife and pull away the inner sheathing.

 

The next few pages will discuss the different tools you can use to strip wire.