Stripping and Joining Wires

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Stripping Wires

Electrical wires are covered with protective insulation. The wires conduct electricity only if the insulation on the end of the wire is removed to expose the metal. Knowing how to strip insulation off a wire end is sometimes necessary when making electrical repairs. In a pinch, you can strip a wire with a pocket knife. Set the wire on a hard surface, then shave the insulation off of one side of the wire. Take care not to cut the wire itself. Peel the insulation back and cut off the excess with the knife. A wire stripper is quicker and less likely to damage the wire. One type, called a combination tool, has different slots for stripping different gauges of wire. Set the wire in the proper slot, squeeze the handles, then twist and pull the wire away from the wire stripper. Expose only enough of the wire to make a good connection, usually 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Joining Wires

Instead of terminal screws many light fixtures and specialty switches like dimmers have wires that you have to join to your household wiring. To join two wires together, strip 3/4 inch from each wire end if necessary. Hold the bare ends of the wires parallel to each other and twist them together using pliers. The twist on a plastic wire connector, also known by the trade name “wire nut.” Or skip twisting with pliers and use the wire connector to fasten the wires together, just make sure that both wires have been grabbed by the wire connector.