Stripping cable

This material is " for information purposes " only. Strict rules govern what electrical work can be done without notification and inspection. Read more...

Trimming back the cable sheath

Cut through the outer sheath of the cable carefully using a sharp craft knife. Be sure not to cut into the insulation of the conductors. Peel back the sheath and fold over the blade of the knife to trim.

Preparing the cable conductors

Separate the conductors and trim the insulation of each back by about 1/2" with wire strippers. The uninsulated earth wire should now be insulated by cutting an appropriate length of earth sleeving (green and yellow) and sliding it onto the conductor. This should now have about 1/2" of the bare conductor showing like the others.

A common method amongst electricians for stripping the outer sheath is to take hold of the end of the earth conductor with a pair of pliers and pull it back through the sheath like a cheese wire. This reduces the possibility of cutting into the insulation with the knife, but care must be taken to avoid damage in other ways.

• Cable
• Connecting cable