PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Home and Garden
Home Maintenance
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical and Electronic Circuits
How to Use Wire Strippers Download Article Co-authored by Ralph Childers
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 References
Download Article
Taking Safety Precautions
|
Using Manual Wire Strippers
|
Using Wire Stripper Machines
|
Expert Q&A
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Ralph Childers. Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. This article has been viewed 54,664 times.
Wire strippers are a tool that anyone can use to remove the insulation surrounding a wire in order to plug it into a terminal or splice loose wires together. The most important thing is to turn off the power to the wires you're going to strip! Then, fit the wire into the right-sized slot on the stripper, twist the stripper, and pull off the insulation. Removing the insulation allows the wire to conduct electricity to a switch, receptacle, or another device.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Taking Safety Precautions
Download Article
1 Turn off the main power. When working with a wire that’s already part of an electrical circuit, kill the power supply. Cutting the main power prevents the possibility of an accident. Find the main electrical panel for your home, which is often in the basement or lowest floor. Flip the main circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse to shut off the electricity.[1]XResearch source
You can flip the main circuit or fuse to totally shut off power, or you can shut off power to the room you’ll be working in.
You won’t need to contact the electrical company to work on wires in your home, although you can ask them to shut off (and turn back on) the power supply for you. However, they'll do this on their own time so be prepared to wait.
2 Test the circuit for voltage. Always double-check the wire to make sure it’s not carrying electricity. Get a multimeter, turn it to the voltage setting, and hook it up to the wire. If the readout doesn’t stay at zero volts, the circuit is still getting power. Shut off the power completely before trying to strip it.
It's important to test for voltage, not current, because the multimeter may show a current reading of zero if no device is plugged into the circuit, even if power is still going to it.
Advertisement
3 Wear protective gear. To further reduce the risk of accidents, wear safety gear. Put on a pair of eye goggles and rubber gloves. If there’s water on the ground, wear rubber boots as well.
4 Wear a respirator when working with a thermal stripper. Thermal wire strippers burn insulation, which can produce harmful fumes. Before using the device, put on a respirator. These masks can be found at any home improvement or general store. Alternatively, work in a well-ventilated environment in order to avoid breathing in the fumes.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Using Manual Wire Strippers
Download Article
1 Pick up a pair of pliers. If the wire is attached to an electrical circuit, you’ll need electrical pliers. They’re identifiable by their protective rubber grips. For bending wires into tight spaces, needlenose pliers come in handy, while lineman’s pliers are for heavier wires. To figure out which type of pliers to use, look at the size of wire you’re stripping.[2]XResearch source
Needlenose pliers are best for #12 wires or greater, which have a diameter of at least .08 inches (2.0 mm).
Lineman’s pliers help with thick wires and may be useful for any bigger than than .08 inches (2.0 mm).
If you’re stripping an unconnected wire, you’ll be fine using your hands.
2 Use the pliers to grip the wire. Hold the pliers in one hand. Squeeze the handles together to open the blades, then use them to hold the wire in place. Make sure you keep the wire away from any exposed skin, in case it’s energized.
3 Lay the wire between the stripper blades. Many manual strippers have notches for different wire sizes. Smaller diameter wires are handled closer to the tip of the blades. To get the perfect cut, use the pliers to feed the wire end into the proper slot. Test the notches until the wire fits snugly in one of them.
Some strippers have a nut you can adjust to change the depth the of the cut.
4 Set the stripper blades near the end of the wire. Move the blades about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (13 to 19 mm) from the end of the wire. This is typically all you’ll need to strip to attach the wire to a terminal or tie it to another wire. Adjust the blades to compensate when you need more or less wire than this.[3]XResearch source
Strip more of the casing when you need to get to the underlying wire, such as when turning it to scrap metal or for science projects.
When repairing a damaged wire, cut the wire under the damaged part and then strip the remaining wire 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (13 to 19 mm) from the end.
Removing too much insulation could create a short in the power box.
5 Squeeze the stripper blades together. Close the stripper blades against the wire, but don’t twist the wire. Instead, rotate the wire strippers in place. Once the blades have dug into the casing, pull the pliers towards the end of the wire. The casing should come right off.[4]X Trustworthy Source Science BuddiesExpert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
6 Cut off any damaged part of the wire. Look out for wires that appear frayed or twisted or insulation that is damaged. These issues could create a short since the insulation keeps the wire from contacting other wires directly. Use the wire strippers to cut below the damaged part. You’ll need to strip the casing below the cut to expose a fresh piece of wire.[5]XResearch source
7 Splice 2 wires together, if necessary. After cutting out the bad section of wire and removing the insulation from both wires, twist the exposed sections together. Connect the two wires with a wire nut and make sure that no bare wire is showing beneath the nut.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Using Wire Stripper Machines
Download Article
1 Use an automatic stripper to easily clip typical wire sizes. Manual pliers handle specific wire sizes. Automatic clippers handle these sizes and those in between them. These machines strip the wires cleanly with less manual effort.
2 Place the end of the wire in the automatic stripper. Using your pliers, place the part you want to strip into the jaws of the automatic stripper. Wires that are very small or extremely thick still won’t fit and the machine will fail at cutting them.
3 Squeeze the automatic stripper’s handle. Press the handle together and the blades will cut into the casing at all sides. Pull the strippers up and off the end of the wire to remove the casing.
4 Use a laser wire stripper for extremely fine wires. Wires with a diameter less than .01 inches (0.25 mm) are very small and often made of fine materials. They’re too delicate to be handled by other strippers without taking damage. Instead, use a computer-controlled laser stripper to burn away the casing. All you do is set the wire in the machine and press a few buttons to operate it.
You’ll have to search online and contact a company that makes laser wire strippers.
5 Get a thermal wire stripper for wires with thick insulation. Thermal strippers use heat to burn away insulation on wires with a diameter larger than .05 inches (1.3 mm). Hold the wire near the thermal tip of the machine and turn on the heat to cut through the casing. Only do this in a well-ventilated area, though, since the process will produce noxious fumes.
You can usually find low-end thermal strippers online or in some home improvement stores.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question How do you maintain wire strippers? Ralph Childers Electrical Professional Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. Ralph Childers Electrical Professional Expert Answer To maintain wire strippers, take care of them like any other tool. For the thermal and laser types, it is best to read the manual and follow the recommendations given. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question What are the different types of wire strippers? Ralph Childers Electrical Professional Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. Ralph Childers Electrical Professional Expert Answer There are several different types of wire strippers, including manual, laser, thermal, and automatic. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
Never work on a live wire. Make sure the electrical supply is turned off before stripping off the casing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
Things You’ll Need
Rubber gloves
Protective eyewear
Electrical pliers
Manual or automatic wire stripper for normal wires
Laser stripper for small wires
Thermal stripper for thick wires
You Might Also Like
6 Ways to Strip Wire, With or Without a Wire StripperHow toCut WireHow to Crimp Wires Safely and Effectively: A Beginner's GuideHow toCut Speaker WireHow to Repair an Electric CordHow to Connect Electrical WiresHow to Mount and Wire a Junction BoxHow to Strip and Splice Wire: Wire Cap, Butt Splice, and SolderingHow to Fix Exposed Electrical WireHow toReplace a Power Cord PlugHow toWire an Electrical SocketHow toCut Armored CableHow to Cut a Screw (And Fix Damaged Threads or Sharp Edges)How toWire a Contactor Advertisement
Co-authored by: Ralph Childers Electrical Professional This article was co-authored by Ralph Childers. Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. This article has been viewed 54,664 times. 3 votes - 67% Co-authors: 4Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 54,664 Categories: Electrical and Electronic CircuitsArticle SummaryX
To use manual wire strippers, grip the wire you want to strip with electrical pliers. Next, check the wire's size and inspect your pliers to see if there are notches for different sizes on the blades. If yours has notches, move the wire into the correct notch. Then, set the stripper blades near the end of the wire, squeeze tightly on the handles, and rotate the pliers in place so that the blades cut into the wire casing. Finally, pull the pliers to the other end of the wire to strip away the casing. For tips on using wire stripper machines, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
In other languagesSpanish
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,664 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ralph Childers Electrical Professional 3 votes - 67% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 4Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 54,664
Quizzes & Games
How Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizWhat’s The Perfect Hair Care Routine For MeTake QuizWhat Piercing Should I Get QuizTake QuizDeserted Island SimulatorPlayWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
6 Ways to Strip Wire, With or Without a Wire StripperHow toCut WireHow to Crimp Wires Safely and Effectively: A Beginner's GuideHow toCut Speaker Wire
Featured Articles
150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel SpecialWhat Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic Meanings19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the WorldWhat Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is My Aesthetic QuizHow to Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the Holidays
Trending Articles
How toMake OutAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday Quiz180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)Random Fortune Generator
Featured Articles
Hilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids LaughAm I Ready For A Relationship QuizWhy Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I Quiz
Featured Articles
What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I Quiz13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)Which of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceMental Illness Test
Watch Articles
How toWrap a Round GiftHow toSteam in an OvenHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaHow toPart Your Hair
Trending Articles
Is Your Personality More 6 or 7?What Should My Name Really Be QuizIs a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?What’s My Demigod Fatal Flaw Quiz
Quizzes & Games
Would I Survive a Horror Movie QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Home and Garden
Home Maintenance
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical and Electronic Circuits
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Ralph Childers 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Ralph Childers Electrical Professional This article was co-authored by Ralph Childers. Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. This article has been viewed 54,664 times. 3 votes - 67% Co-authors: 4 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 54,664 Categories: Electrical and Electronic Circuits Article SummaryX
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Play
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
530 
1 Turn off the main power. When working with a wire that’s already part of an electrical circuit, kill the power supply. Cutting the main power prevents the possibility of an accident. Find the main electrical panel for your home, which is often in the basement or lowest floor. Flip the main circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse to shut off the electricity.[1] 
2 Test the circuit for voltage. Always double-check the wire to make sure it’s not carrying electricity. Get a multimeter, turn it to the voltage setting, and hook it up to the wire. If the readout doesn’t stay at zero volts, the circuit is still getting power. Shut off the power completely before trying to strip it. 
3 Wear protective gear. To further reduce the risk of accidents, wear safety gear. Put on a pair of eye goggles and rubber gloves. If there’s water on the ground, wear rubber boots as well. 
4 Wear a respirator when working with a thermal stripper. Thermal wire strippers burn insulation, which can produce harmful fumes. Before using the device, put on a respirator. These masks can be found at any home improvement or general store. Alternatively, work in a well-ventilated environment in order to avoid breathing in the fumes. Advertisement 
1 Pick up a pair of pliers. If the wire is attached to an electrical circuit, you’ll need electrical pliers. They’re identifiable by their protective rubber grips. For bending wires into tight spaces, needlenose pliers come in handy, while lineman’s pliers are for heavier wires. To figure out which type of pliers to use, look at the size of wire you’re stripping.[2] 
2 Use the pliers to grip the wire. Hold the pliers in one hand. Squeeze the handles together to open the blades, then use them to hold the wire in place. Make sure you keep the wire away from any exposed skin, in case it’s energized. 
3 Lay the wire between the stripper blades. Many manual strippers have notches for different wire sizes. Smaller diameter wires are handled closer to the tip of the blades. To get the perfect cut, use the pliers to feed the wire end into the proper slot. Test the notches until the wire fits snugly in one of them. 
4 Set the stripper blades near the end of the wire. Move the blades about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (13 to 19 mm) from the end of the wire. This is typically all you’ll need to strip to attach the wire to a terminal or tie it to another wire. Adjust the blades to compensate when you need more or less wire than this.[3] 
5 Squeeze the stripper blades together. Close the stripper blades against the wire, but don’t twist the wire. Instead, rotate the wire strippers in place. Once the blades have dug into the casing, pull the pliers towards the end of the wire. The casing should come right off.[4] 
6 Cut off any damaged part of the wire. Look out for wires that appear frayed or twisted or insulation that is damaged. These issues could create a short since the insulation keeps the wire from contacting other wires directly. Use the wire strippers to cut below the damaged part. You’ll need to strip the casing below the cut to expose a fresh piece of wire.[5] 
7 Splice 2 wires together, if necessary. After cutting out the bad section of wire and removing the insulation from both wires, twist the exposed sections together. Connect the two wires with a wire nut and make sure that no bare wire is showing beneath the nut. Advertisement 
1 Use an automatic stripper to easily clip typical wire sizes. Manual pliers handle specific wire sizes. Automatic clippers handle these sizes and those in between them. These machines strip the wires cleanly with less manual effort. 
2 Place the end of the wire in the automatic stripper. Using your pliers, place the part you want to strip into the jaws of the automatic stripper. Wires that are very small or extremely thick still won’t fit and the machine will fail at cutting them. 
3 Squeeze the automatic stripper’s handle. Press the handle together and the blades will cut into the casing at all sides. Pull the strippers up and off the end of the wire to remove the casing. 
4 Use a laser wire stripper for extremely fine wires. Wires with a diameter less than .01 inches (0.25 mm) are very small and often made of fine materials. They’re too delicate to be handled by other strippers without taking damage. Instead, use a computer-controlled laser stripper to burn away the casing. All you do is set the wire in the machine and press a few buttons to operate it. 
5 Get a thermal wire stripper for wires with thick insulation. Thermal strippers use heat to burn away insulation on wires with a diameter larger than .05 inches (1.3 mm). Hold the wire near the thermal tip of the machine and turn on the heat to cut through the casing. Only do this in a well-ventilated area, though, since the process will produce noxious fumes. 
Ralph Childers Electrical Professional Ralph Childers is a master electrician based in the Portland, Oregon area with over 30 years of conducting and teaching electrical work. Ralph received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and holds an Oregon Journeyman Electrical License as well as electrician licenses in Louisiana and Texas. 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.