The stripping or removing of wire and cable insulation is accomplished by the use of tools shown in Fig. 1-11. The knives and patented wire strippers are used to bare the wire of insulation before making connections. The scissors are used to cut insulation and tape.
The armored cable cutter may be used instead of a hacksaw to remove the armor from the electrical conductors at box entry or when cutting the cable to length.
Fig. 1-11 Tools for cutting and stripping. (A) Electrician’s knife. (B) Electrician’s scissors. (C) Skinning knife. D) Stripper. (E) Cable cutter
Hammers Hammers are used either in combination with other tools, such as chisels, or in nailing equipment to building supports. See Fig. 1-12. The figure shows a carpenter’s claw hammer and a machinist’s ball-peen hammer.
Fig. 1-12 Hammers.
Tape Various tapes are available. They are used for replacing removed insulation and wire coverings.
Friction tape is a cotton tape impregnated with an insulating adhesive compound. It provides weather resistance and limited mechanical protection to a splice already insulated.
Rubber tape or varnished cambric tape may be used as an insulator when replacing wire covering.
Plastic electrical tape is made of a plastic material with an adhesive on one side of the tape. It has replaced friction and rubber tape in the field for 120- and 208-V circuits. It serves a dual purpose in taping joints. It is preferred over the former tapes.
Ruler and Measuring Tape The technician should have a folding rule and a steel tape. Both of these are aids to cutting to exact size.
Extension Cord and Light The extension light shown in Fig. 1-13, is normally supplied with a long extension cord. It is used by the technician when nor- mal building lighting has not been installed and where the lighting system is not functioning.
Fig. 1-13 Extension light.
Wire Code Markers Tapes with identifying numbers or nomenclature are available for permanently identifying wires and equipment. The wire code markers are particularly valuable for identifying wires in complicated wiring circuits, in fuse boxes, and circuit breaker panels, or in junction boxes. See Fig. 1-14
Fig. 1-14 Wire code markers.
