Stripping tool for outer cable sheath (round/flat)?

[gasket]

Hi folks.

When wiring, the biggest pain I have is removing the main outer insulation from flat and round cable (the grey or black or white outer that exposes the insulated L,N,E wires inside).

while I have automatic strippers for the small inner wires, for the outers I’ve always used a Stanley knife. Fine for big cables, but for smaller lighting cable I’m forever nicking the outer sheath slightly too far and cutting into the inner wires... so I have to start again upon seeing a bit of copper exposed.

I blame it on bad eyesight and clumsy hands.

Is there such a thing as a tool I can buy to strip the outer insulation from cable? ideally everything from 0.75mm cabinet lights up to 2.5mm T&E.

I’ve seen one tool called a Jokari Allrounder but it looks a bit flimsy.

 

[mattylad]

Get some reading glasses, stronger than you need for reading so they biggerise the cable.
Use a new/sharp blade and press very lightly.

I have tried the tools for cutting round cables, you would have to reset it (testing the cut) for every different round cable.
The one I had from RS always kept de adjusting itself too, do I fixed it in location and would only use it on 1 size of cable (they have different thickness outer insulation).
Flat cable, can't help you there - I get my mate Stanley to do it for me

 

[SFK]

Use a Jokari cable knife?:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/JOKARI-T10...K6MNRF8GWZ5&psc=1&refRID=XYDTCS5X9K6MNRF8GWZ5

or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JOKARI-T10...K6MNRF8GWZ5&psc=1&refRID=XYDTCS5X9K6MNRF8GWZ5

 

[SpecialK]

Cant you cut the end and pull the cables apart to split the outer insulation?

 

[mattylad]

The jokari cable knife is similar to the one I have been using, as I mentioned - different sized cables (in fact the same cable just different reels of it) tend to come with different thicknesses of insulation so if your not careful you can nick the inner cores.
Although - if your stripping a load of the same cable it can be very quick and easy to use.

Useless for flat cable though.

As for pulling the cores apart, there is a train of thought that doing that puts a lot of undue strain on the copper core inside, stretching and weakening it.
Never seen an electrician that doesnt do it though.

 

[chivers67]

I use the above just under £22 from Tool Station https://www.toolstation.com/jokari-allrounder-wire-stripper/p94214

 

[JohnW2]

As for pulling the cores apart, there is a train of thought that doing that puts a lot of undue strain on the copper core inside, stretching and weakening it. Never seen an electrician that doesnt do it though.

With T+E, I've often seen electricians, and others, tug on just the bare CPC, using it as a 'cheese wire' to cut through the outer sheath. The CPC does, however, then end up slightly longer than the other conductors, giving an indication of what the trauma has done to it!

I confess that I quite often do that myself, but after lightly scoring (without penetrating) the sheath with a sharp knife. When one does that, the CPC 'cheese wires' its way through the scored part of the sheath very easily, without appreciably stretching it.

Kind Regards, John

 

[charliegolf]

I used these a lot in schools, and they are great. Shirley the pro sparkie world has an equivalent?

https://www.tts-group.co.uk/wire-strippers/1003750.html?cgid=Primary-D--T-Electricity#

 

[mattylad]

we do, but they are not really suited for the outer insulation of a cable and can tear the inside cores too.

 

[charliegolf]

we do, but they are not really suited for the outer insulation of a cable and can tear the inside cores too.

Ah, note to self- RTFQ! Cheers.

 

[Alec_t]

This is what I use :

It's a sharpened screwdriver blade with the insert of a choc-block connector as an adjustable depth stop.