Home Improvement Ideas DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides How to Use a Wire Stripper Utilize a wire stripper when tackling electrical projects like swapping light fixtures and wiring outlets. By Kamron Sanders Published on January 6, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images / zilli Project Overview Working Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $20 Learning to use a wire stripper is critical for any electrical wiring project. While there are several types of wire strippers, they all serve the same general purpose of stripping away the insulation from wires to reveal the conductive material beneath. This is a necessary step in wiring electrical systems, as the insulative material prevents proper conduction. If you plan on doing any electrical work, from swapping light fixtures to wiring in new receptacles, a wire stripper is an essential addition to your toolbox. Here, we explain the various types of wire strippers and provide step-by-step instructions for safely and effectively using wire strippers. What Is a Wire Stripper? A wire stripper is a tool used to cleanly remove the protective sheathing that covers the conductive metal wire in electrical wires without damaging the wire itself. Types of Wire Strippers Different types of wire strippers serve the same general purpose but integrate specialty features and functions that make them easier and quicker to use. Here are the three general types of wire strippers: Gauged wire strippers require the user to place the wire into a designated hole for whatever gauge of wire is being stripped. This is often designed as a combination wire stripper tool with wire cutters, bolt cutters, pliers, and other features.Adjustable wire strippers can be set to cut different gauges of wire, which is helpful for users who frequently work with different wire sizes. While effective, adjustable wire strippers require a manual adjustment when switching between wires, which slows the project.Self-adjusting wire strippers, also called automatic wire strippers, can also be used for different wire gauges but much more efficiently, as they self-adjust to the size of the wire being cut. This feature is invaluable for anyone working on multiple wire gauges simultaneously. The best wire stripper for most DIYers is a combination wire stripper. This tool offers nearly everything you need for basic electrical projects like wiring LED lights, swapping light fixtures, and wiring outlets in one tool. While a self-adjusting wire stripper is more efficient for someone who wires electrical panels and circuits day in and day out, the combination wire stripper is an essential electrical tool for homeowners and DIYers. Safety Considerations The use of wire strippers naturally involves working around electrical wires. When working around electrical wires and components, always turn off the power at the breaker or other power source and then test the wires with a voltage tester to confirm that the power is off before touching the wires with your hands or a tool. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Gauged wire stripper Voltage tester Materials Electrical wire Instructions How to Use Gauged Wire Strippers Identify the Wire Gauge You must identify the gauge of the wire so you can accurately choose the correct notch on your wire strippers. For standard NM (nonmetallic) cable, the gauges are identified using the following sheathing colors: White Sheathing: 14-gauge wireYellow Sheathing: 12-gauge wireOrange Sheathing: 10-gauge wire Locate the Corresponding Wire Stripper Notch After identifying the wire's gauge, look to your wire stripper and find the proper notch. It will likely be identified by an inscribed number on the metal. However, some wire strippers also feature colors alongside the notches that correspond with the sheathing colors. Choosing too large a notch isn't a big deal, as the tool won't fully penetrate the sheathing, and you can move to a smaller notch. However, choosing too small a notch partially cuts the wire, compromising it and making it dangerous once connected. In this case, discard the damaged portion and start over. Strip the Wire To strip electrical wire, place the end of the wire into the proper notch with the desired amount of exposed wire sticking out. For certain applications, this length is crucial, so use your electrical device's guide if applicable. Clamp down on the wire until the tool no longer clamps together. Push the clamped tool away from your body toward the end of the wire. The separated sheathing will fall away and reveal the bare conductive material. If you're having trouble pushing the sheathing off the end of the wire, it's likely because the sheathing hasn't been fully cut. Twist the tool to ensure it fully cuts the insulation, and then try again. If it still doesn't work, you may be using the wrong notch. Tips for Using Wire Strippers Never strip off more wire insulation than necessary.Be careful not to damage the remaining insulation on the wire.If your tool isn't cutting wire and insulation cleanly, check the nut to see if it has loosened. Tighten it if necessary.Keep your fingers away from the wire stripper blade.Don't buy small, cheap wire strippers, as they can be difficult to work with.