Our step-up pick is the Goplus Powered Electric and it is quite portable in its design and can recycle your copper cables for various project needs. It can either be hand crank or drill driven so it is very simple in its mechanism and can operate smoothly.
The budget pick is the Yescom Manual Stripper and it works via manual stripping mechanism or by hand cranking, but you can also use it for a drill connecting head to make it automatic. It has a range of 1.5 to 25 mm for thickness or the gauge of the cables you can put in it.
A Little Background
A wire stripping machine is a tool that lets you take out the coating of the wire or electrical string. It can remove this coating depending on your needs, but it is mostly for joining these electrical strings together so that a component of an appliance, motor or circuit board can be fixed. It can also be used for cables and are important for repairmen such as electricians because they make the job much easier.
Wires have thicknesses that differ from each other, known as gauges. These electrical cable gauges are all different from each other according to purpose. Each thickness can mean a different thing. For instance, most of the flat ones are meant for television, routers, modems and other entertainment electronics. The values also differ between the shapes and the ends, but usually, thicker cables are meant for durability purposes.
One must know that in order to fix or join an electrical cable, proper soldering must be done, and carefully. This is one of the basic things done in electronics and electrical repairs. Soldering can get out of hand if you are a first time repairman/repair woman, but you can definitely do it. Just be careful with the soldering gun and make sure you aim the soldering lead/element to the spot in a slow but precise manner to avoid accidents.
Cable material can also make a difference in terms of conductivity and durability. The materials may make the signal of electronics much better. For instance, copper is a well renowned and well known material for cables out there due to the awesome conductivity. If you can find one that has gold on it, then that means that its conductivity and noise levels are very low, so they are great for music equipment.
The length of the cable that you may need depends on its purpose. The electric cable should be just the right size for your project or needs. For instance, if you have to use something for a longer distance, such as between rooms, you need to consider one that is longer in length. The length can also equate the thickness and the type of electronic or electrical equipment that you want to use or repair.
How we Picked
In choosing the best wire stripping machine, you should consider the following:
Gauge of cable: the most common gauge of cable that you can find for your electric cable removing system is around 0.06 to 0.98 inch in its gauge. Having the right gauge is important for your electric cable removing system so that it can accommodate the right kind of cable thickness so that you can work on your project easily and without a lot of hassle. This also lets you work with various kinds of cables and you’re not limited.
Ease of using and pressing: you have to consider the fact that the electric cable removing system should be easy to operate, especially since it will handle cables, thick and thin, unless it is only meant for thinner cables. The electric cable removing system should also come with user instructions that are easy to understand, in order to troubleshoot problems that may occur for first time users of the electric cable removing system or mechanism.
Does not damage your cable: remember and do keep in mind that the electric cable removing system should not damage your cable at all. This is characterized by safety mechanisms that are included in the electric cable removing system so as to hold the cable in place without cutting the other parts or removing them. You should ensure that your electric cable removing system has these features.
Durability: you should have an entire unit that is durable no matter what. Having an electric cable removing system that can withstand the test of time means that you get more value for your money, especially if you will use it for industrial purposes or for business purposes if you have a repair shop. This also helps you to work on your projects from time to time easily with the use of the electric cable removing system.
Manual or automatic: some of these electric cable removing systems can be automatic or manual. The advantage of the manual one is that you can closely look at what you are working and you can have it custom removed or repaired based on your specifications. For automatic ones, you will have the advantages of an electric cable removing system that is meant for quick use for industrial purposes, or if you work on projects on a deadline basis.
Our Pick
As our top pick the StripMeister Automatic Wire is made for you to take on your industrial grade projects such as for removing cable coatings and using the copper for recycling. It can work on gauges from 18 gauge up to 250 mcm. You can also use it for various braided cables such as Romex, in which you may be able to save 33% of your total work time due to the Romex slot.
The unique thing about this mechanism is that it even includes a free extra blade for you to use. Made for your scrap needs, you can also use it for multi-layer cables to be cut simultaneously so that you can save a lot of time in your hands. The design of the system assures that your cables will never bend or distort due to the aluminum being of aircraft grade. The removing speed is up to 65 feet per minute.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
While not a deal breaker, the StripMeister Automatic Wire may not work well with older wires, but this depends on your cable, anyway, and is true for most electric cable removing systems out there.
Step-up Pick
As our step-up pick, the Goplus Powered Electric can be used for making undamaged scrap wire so that you can use it for various projects possible. It can also work well for any shape and size of cable possible. What’s more, the ease of operation is thanks to the combination for the blade and rollers that are easy to adjust. If you want an industry grade machine to recycle your copper, then this is a good choice for your needs.
As the plastic and rubber insulation can be easily removed from your cable, it does not damage your cables at all. The mechanism allows you to operate it through a hand crank or drill driven so it does not consume a lot of space and energy. The design of the system is also made to be portable, so you can work on it even with a small workshop or on the go. Instructions also come along with it, for troubleshooting.
Budget Pick
As our budget pick, the Yescom Manual Stripper can be easily connected to any drill connecting head for automatic operation yet it is fully manual as well so you can use it for hand cranking as well as for manual stripping of your cables. Installation to any kind of bench and work station as well as to any table is very straightforward and simple to do. The result is that you can remove the rubber insulation from your scrap cables.
It can do any gauge from 0.06 to 0.98 inches (1.5 to 25 mm) and will not damage your cables at all. Aluminum alloy has been used for the housing so it is quite durable yet not very hard to lift from one place to another. It comes with 2 wrenches in the set plus a screw set as well. It also comes with a user’s manual to help you set it up.
All in all, if you have pounds of varying degrees of cables piled in your workshop, you can use this tool for them. To obtain the desired adjustment of required distance, you just need to play around with the settings of this mechanism.
Best Wire Stripping Machine with a Drill Connector
If you want a unit that can be easily connected to an electric drill for automatic operation, the TOTOOL Handle may be for you. It is made out of an all-steel construction so that you can use it for a long time without easily wearing out, and you may be even able to use it for industrial purposes. It has a speed of removing the insulation from 55-60 feet per minute or about 16.8m to 18. m per minute.
You can use the system for copper cable that is considered scrap, using the cutting wheels and rollers that are included in the blade that is adjustable. The ease of plastic and rubber insulation is good and it will not damage the cable at all. It has a gauge capability of 0.06 up to 0.98 inch and its mechanism is very portable and convenient for home or for shop use. You can use it on top of any bench/workstation.
Best Wire Stripping Machine that is Automatic
The Penson & Co. mechanism is automatic for industrial and for quick usage, and it has a speed of up to 60 feet per minute for removing the rubber insulation. It runs off of any wall outlet due to being an automatic mechanism that runs on a powerful 1/4 hp motor at single phase. You can also count on precise and accurate cutting due to the fact that its speeds are adjustable.
The gauges it can take can be from 14 gauge up to 1 1/4 inch cables. There are a total of 3 feed holes in the mechanism and those range from 1 inches up to 0.12 inch. A reducer vent knob is also included in the mechanism plus an Allen wrench for easy fixes.
It also comes with a sturdy feeding panel and a user’s manual for all your troubleshooting worries. You can use it for various fields such as audio lines, data cables, aerospace, harness, automotive and recycling.
Best Wire Stripping Machine that is Manual
The BestEquip Cable is made with a lightweight construction that can be moved from one place to another, and it is also a manual operation mechanism that can go from 0.06 up to 0.98 inch of gauge for copper cables. Any shape or type of cable can work well for it and it also has adjustable blade and rollers that are tailored to your needs. There is a blade of wheels that do the job without damaging your cable.
Because it is portable and energy saving, you can use it on the go for removing coatings for your cables. The industrial framed machine can be used anywhere due to the durable steel and it might withstand the test of time. It also includes a drill operated rod, two spanners, a hand crank, a feeding panel and a user’s manual should you get lost in the instructions on how to operate the machine properly.
Best Wire Stripping Machine for Electricians
The BEAMNOVA Automatic has a range of 3mm - 25mm for its wire gauge range, equating to 0.12 inch up to 1 inch, and is a great choice for most electricians. It operates in a single phase induction motor at 1/4 horsepower, at 110V 50-60Hz. It can be used to create undamaged scrap cables by removing the insulation that surrounds these cables. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about measurements because there are 3 different sized feed holes.
The 50 feet per minute speed for this kind of mechanism gets the job done well and easily. You can also adjust the feeding hole according to the size of your cable, which is very handy. You will have better productivity for most scrapping jobs involving cables as it has nearly everything that you need in order to get started. Additionally, the mechanism lets you adjust distance between the blades and the shaft.
Best Wire Stripping Machine for a Work Bench
If you need a bench top wire stripper, the Steel Dragon WRA20 is a good choice. It has a total of 4 cutting channels and there is also a unique slot for Romex type cables. It has the capacity to cut and remove the casings of cables from 5mm up to 13 mm. Different kinds of flat and kinds of round cable can be used with this kind of workhorse for your scrapping projects and the like.
Additionally, there is an emergency stop button for your safety with operating this unit, as well as safety enclosed cutting wheels. So that you can match the different types of insulation, you can also adjust the tension in this unit depending on the size of the cable that you have. It can be used by electricians, contractors, demolition jobs, recycling and many more. It operates on a 110 V, 50/60 Hz motor.
Best Wire Stripping Machine for Industrial Use
The CopperMine Tools Industrial is a great choice for industrial use despite its high price. If you own a large scale electronics factory then you will definitely need one of these. It runs at 3 HP and comes with 10 free blades. As an automatic cable removal mechanism, there will be specialized tools needed when you set it up or use it and the design also adheres to and meets OSHA requirements.
Don’t worry about the operator's line-of-sight because the ergonomic design makes it less of a fuss to operate. It can work on cables from 1/16 inch up to 1 1/2 inches in length. You can also choose between stranded or solid cables and it will do its job accordingly. With an exceedingly fast speed of 200 feet per minute, it is a great workhorse for any recycling or electronics company out there.
Best Wire Stripping Machine with an LCD Screen
The Happybuy Computer is a great choice for those needing a unit with an LCD screen. With its simple operation and high accuracy compared to other mechanisms out there, the automation technology allows you to easily remove the cable coatings when needed, as it works well for sheathed cable, power cords and many more. It has a sped of 3,000 up to 80,000 pieces per hour.
With a cutting length of 1 mm up to 9,999 mm, it can also be easily modified and adjusted through microcomputer integration (programmable). You can easily boost the productivity in your area or line of production with this awesome invention, which also has 10 places of stripping for the middle part. It consumes 300 watts of power but works very fast to avoid productivity delays.
The Competition
Others were not in our list because they lacked in ease of use and were also not completely adjustable with many kinds of cable thicknesses and gauges, hence they might not make a good tool for electricians.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the different kinds of electrical cables?
A: Electrical cables come in all shapes and sizes, and here are some of the most common ones, according to their properties, which can be used into making bigger cables:
Triplex | The triplex type of electrical cable is made with a third bare electrical cable along with the insulation of aluminum electrical cables. You will most likely find them as a band of 3 electrical cables put together. One main electrical cable is set straight while two of the cables are overlapped. This forms the triplex setting, which is different from the duplex and the quadruplex style of cables. |
Main feeder | Electrical cables that are made with either stranded or solid THHN are considered main power feeder electrical cables. If you ever come across a service weather head that is located outside of the house, that is where the main feeder electrical cable is commonly found. |
Single strand | In the single strand type, many electrical cables can be drawn together and there can also be other varieties but it still uses the THHN electrical cable. They can come in a variety of colors, most usually the bright ones such as red, yellow, blue and green. |
Romex electrical cable | This kind of electrical cable is also known as the non-metallic sheathed electrical cable. It has many ratings, from 15 to 20 amps and all of them have a plastic insulation. It is a bare ground electrical cable and is often associated with special electrical cable strippers rather than just plain ones. |
Panel feed | The panel feed electrical cable is ideal for a circuit breaker, as well as for a junction box, due to the better rating. It can work similarly to a main feeder electrical cable and the typical insulation for them is black. |
Q: What are the different electrical cable gauges?
A: A electrical cable gauge is also known as the electrical cable thickness. It is usually classified as an AWG or American Electrical cable Gauge, a standard in measurement for various thicknesses of electrical cables, some of which include the following:
Conductor measurements | AWG Gauges | |||||||
OOOO to OO | 0 to 10 | 11 to 20 | 21 to 30 | 31 to 40 | 41 to 50 | 51 to 60 | ||
Diameter | inches | 0.46 to 0.36 | 0.32 to 0.10 | 0.09 to 0.032 | 0.02 to 0.01 | 0.008 to 0.003 | 0.002 to 0.0009 | 0.0008 to 0.00031 |
millimeters | 11.68 to 9.27 | 8.25 to 2.59 | 2.3 to 0.81 | 0.72 to 0.25 | 0.23 to 0.07 | 0.07 to 0.025 | 0.022 to 0.008 | |
Cross sectional area | inches | 0.16 to 0.10 | 0.08 to 0.008 | 0.006 to 0.0008 | 0.0006 to 0.00008 | 0.00006 to 0.000008 | 0.000006 to 0.000001 | 0.000001 to 0.000000 |
millimeters | 107 to 67 | 53 to 5.3 | 4.2 to 0.5 | 0.4 to 0.05 | 0.04 to 0.005 | 0.004 to 0.0005 | 0.0004 to 0.00005 | |
Q: What’s the difference between solid electrical cable and stranded electrical cable?
A: Stranded and solid electrical cables are both types of electrical cables but they also have their differences, such as the following:
1. Solid electrical cable refers to the type that is only a single strand or string. They have a solid core that is made mostly of copper or aluminum, and sometimes gold. The solid electrical cable works differently from the stranded ones because they only come in one solid bunch rather than being wrapped together in a bundle. Solid electrical cables are the easiest to install when it comes down to circuit boards, but can be less durable compared to stranded with flexibility.
2. Stranded electrical cable refers to those that are bundled together into just one single piece of electrical cable. They can have somewhere from 2 to 10 pieces of solid electrical cable in the bundle, and others are also a bundle of many copper pieces in just one big strand of electrical cable. They are mostly used for durability and flexibility purposes because of their great strength together as a whole, but may also be difficult to install on a circuit board.
Q: What are the different uses of electrical cables according to their types?
A: Different electrical cables can be used for various situations, such as the following:
1. Single conductor electrical cables – these are made of nylon coated materials and can be used for the phone chargers and many other electronics out there.
2. Multi conductor electrical cables – these can be found on heavy appliances, dishwashers, washing mechanisms or in your home walls.
3. Metal clad cables – they can be used for fire protection due to the choices of neutral, ground and live electrical cables, and are meant for heavy load equipment such as in factories.
Q: What are the different kinds of electrical cable materials?
A: Electrical cable materials can make a difference when it comes down to your connections, and they can also vary in materials used, such as the following:
Copper | Copper is a very cheap material and may not be that good in conducting, however, it is the best pick for when you want something that is cheaper and easy to find. |
Aluminum | Aluminum is also very cheap and it is also cheaper than copper. While copper may have the capability to sometimes get corrosion, aluminum does not, and it is also quite durable and lightweight. They are used for many kinds of electrical cables out there. |
Gold | Gold is the best to use for any kind of wiring or electronics because of its awesome conductivity and corrosion resistance. The reason why gold is so expensive is because it takes a lot of effort to find and it is also very powerful. |
Other metals | Other metals that can be great for conductivity include platinum and silver. If you can’t find one that is made out of gold, silver works as well. Platinum is a lot more expensive than gold, and is rarely found in cables out there. |
Q: What are the purposes of electrical cable jacket removing?
A: Electrical cable jacket removing is the way by which you are jacket removing electrical cable from your cables in order to create recycled materials. Some of the most important purposes, benefits and uses of electrical cable jacket removing include the following:
Recycling | Recycling is the number one reason why people do electrical cable jacket removing process in their home garage, backyard or in any shop or industrial facility. The copper that is present in any electrical cable can be separated from the whole as scrap material. |
Repairs | Repairing electrical cable requires you to strip the electrical cable first in order to make it work. The electrical cable jacket removing mechanism has the job to make electrical cable repairs very easy for most electricians in order to solder or join the disconnected electrical cables again. |
Q: What are the different letter codes that you should know about when it comes down to electrical cables?
A: When you are choosing a electrical cable, you should know and remember the different letter codes that are used on electrical cables out there, as set by the NEC, such as the following:
T | Thermoplastic insulation |
H | Heat resistance of up to 75 degrees Celsius |
HH | Heat resistance of up to 90 degrees Celsius |
N | Nylon jacket that can withstand gas or oil damage |
W | Ideal for wet locations |
R | Rubber made electrical cable |
X | Fire resistant polymer, usually synthetic |
Therefore, THWN means that the electrical cable is rated for 75 degrees Celsius temperatures, has a nylon jacket and has thermoplastic insulation.
Q: What types of commercially used electrical cables are out there?
A: Commercially available electrical cables out there can have different purposes, such as the following:
Coaxial cable | The coaxial cable is the most prominent kind of electrical cable that is mostly used for televisions, radios and various electronics media. |
Communications cable | These ones are mostly used in the communications field, such as in telephones, internet and the like. |
Direct buried cable | Also known as the DBC, it is also made for the communications field but has better design for underground burial, such as for deep electrical lines to be used. |
Twin lead | This is a kind of TV cable that is used for most antennas and receivers. The flat design is very well known for most electricians who build their own DIY TV antenna. |
Ribbon cable | The ribbon cable is often used in computers and other electronics that require data processing. Ribbon cables are super flexible and are ideal for most low level voltage systems. |
Portable cord | The portable cord is mostly used in AC power. If you have an electronic item that is portable then you will most likely find it. You will also find it beneficial for most home appliances, as well as in indoor, outdoor and residential applications. |
Paired cable | This one is made mostly for AC applications, and it is also made using 2 insulated conductors. The paired cable can also be used on DC applications. If you have a stairwell in your house, it is ideal for that, as well as being useful for corridors. |
Non-metallic sheathed cable | This kind of cable is also known as the non-metallic building electrical cable, and is also abbreviated as NM-B or simply NM. It is a good part of most residential wiring since it became very popular for most outlets, loads and switches. |
Submersible cable | The submersible cable is the kind of cable that can be buried in water, hence it is waterproof. You can find it as either stranded or solid and it is mostly used for water pumps out there. It can also withstand oil and it is also good with abrasion resistance. |
Twisted pair | Similar to that of a paired cable, it is made up of 2 copper electrical cables. It is mostly used for Ethernet cables, such as STP (shielded) and UTP (unshielded). |
Multicore cable | This one is composed of more than one electrical cable. It simply has more cores than what is commonly built with most cables, and it can be 12-core or 16-core depending on the number of cores. |
Heliax cable | This kind of cable is mostly made with a black jacket and is also a type of coaxial cable. It is protected by a tubular conducting shield and may include AVA and LDF subtypes. They can vary in size, from 1/4 inch up to 7/8 inch. |
Shielded cable | If you have sensitive electronics that may react violently to high voltage situations, the shielded cable is the best thing to use. |
Q: What are the different types of scrap metals that can be found on electrical cables and electronics?
A: If you are jacket removing electrical cables, chances are, you are probably picking up scrap from various electronics and appliances that are no longer used. Scrap metals have the following classifications:
Type or category | Description | Examples |
Ferrous | These ones are mostly containing iron and they can be reshaped and remade into anything new. | Steel |
Iron | ||
Nonferrous | These ones are ones that do not contain iron at all and are considered precious and slightly more expensive and rare. | Zinc |
Magnesium | ||
Nickel | ||
Tin | ||
Lead | ||
Zinc | ||
Aluminum | ||
Copper | ||
Brass | ||
Exotic | Exotic types of metals are the ones that come with rare elements and are also rarely used, and mostly used for specific or meticulous purposes. | Cobalt |
Tungsten | ||
Precious metals | These ones have the highest market value as compared to the non ferrous and ferrous types of metals. | Gold |
Silver | ||
Platinum | ||
Radioactive | Radioactive metals are mostly made for nuclear purposes and can be dangerous to handle. | Uranium |
Radium | ||
Thorium | ||
Plutonium | ||
Polonium | ||
Caesium | ||
Strontium | ||
Americium | ||
Technetium | ||
Neptunium |
Q: What are the different color coding rules that come standard with most wiring?
A: Remember those cliché movie scenes where people are having trouble trying to defuse a bomb because doing so in the wrong electrical cable color can result in malfunction or not stopping the bomb at all? This is clearly why electrical cables need to have color coding in some applications in order for the repairman to be able to troubleshoot and fix them right away, such as with the following:
Here are the standards for AC power:
Standards | PE or PG | Neutral | L | L1 | L2 | L3 | ||||||
IEC (EU) | green | yellow | blue | brown | brown | black | grey | |||||
Old IEC | blue | brown | black | brown | black | brown | black | brown | black | |||
IEC (UK) | blue | brown | brown | black | grey | |||||||
Old IEC (UK) | black | red | red | yellow | blue | |||||||
US NEC (common) | white | black | red | black | red | blue | ||||||
US NEC (alternative) | green | grey | - | brown | orange | yellow | ||||||
CEC (Canada) | green | white | black | red | red | black | blue | |||||
And here’s the color coding for DC power:
Standards | PE or PG | 2-electrical cable unearthed | 2-electrical cable earthed | 3-electrical cable earthed | ||||||
L+ | L- | L+ | M | L- | L+ | M | L- | |||
IEC (EU) | green | yellow | brown | grey | brown | blue | grey | brown | blue | grey |
US NEC | red | black | red | white | black | red | white | black | ||
Q: What are the uses of a coaxial cable?
A: The coaxial cable is a kind of electrical cable that is used for the following:
1. Audio and music equipment
2. Cable television and video devices
3. TV antennas and digital converter boxes
4. Internet connections
5. Radio transmitters
Q: What are the different kinds of electrical cable cutters?
A: Electrical cable cutters are used when it comes down to repairing electrical cables and joining them. Here are the different kinds of electrical cable cutters you can use alongside electrical cable jacket removing:
Linemen | They are mostly used by workers, carpenters and electricians due to the insulated handles. |
Locking | This kind of electrical cable cutter can help tighten the equipment and are easy to grip. |
Needle nose | As the name implies, it has a needle nose design and also have protection for its insulated grips. |
Diagonal | The edge of this kind of electrical cable cutter is diagonal and it is used by electricians and carpenters. It also has insulated handles for safety purposes. |
Round nose | Its edges are round shaped so it can be used by electricians as well as carpenters. You can use it for bending certain types of electrical cables. |
Q: How do you perform jacket removing electrical cable in different electrical cables?
A: The jacket of the cable can vary depending on the type of cable that you have, which can also vary in terms of durability and typical use. Jacket removing electrical cable has the following methods with various electrical cables:
1. Electrical cords – Scoring the jacket using a knife.
2. Plastic-sheathed cable – Match the electrical cable gauge with the plastic sheathed cable.
3. Underground cable – Use a sharp knife to peel the plastic off.
4. Coaxial cable – Use an Allen wrench for adjusting the cut depth.
5. Sheathed communication electrical cables – Use a unique cable stripper.
6. Thin electrical cables – Use a stranded electrical cable stripper.
Q: What are the most common problems with wiring and how do you resolve them?
A: Wiring can be complicated if you are not that knowledgeable with electronics and electrical components. However, it can be resolved. Common problems with wiring include the following:
Over lamping | Stick to a wattage limit that is usually around 60 watts or lower. |
Junction box is uncovered | Install a new cover to protect it. Junction boxes that are not covered can be dangerous when it comes down to homes and business establishments. |
Flickering lights when windy | Weather head needs to be replaced by electric company. You should contact your electric company for this kind of problem. |
Outlets aren’t abundant | Add more outlets to avoid extension cord reliance. The lack of outlets can result in overloading on extension cords, which can cause fires. |
No GFCIs | Invest in GFCIs to replace your old receptacles. GFCI type components can be safer than old receptacles. |
Panel has too many circuits | Install a subpanel or replace the system with a bigger model. |
You have aluminum wiring | Replace it with full copper wiring to avoid corrosion issues with copper. |
Electrical cables become backstabbed | Check such connections on most outlet boxes. |
Receptacles are not grounded | These receptacles should be replaced with properly grounded ones, or rewire some of them. |
Receptacles don’t hold plug properly | In the case of a loose receptacle, replace it to avoid household arcing, sparking and other possible problems. |
Q: Which is better: copper or gold wiring?
A: Both copper and gold are common wiring components. Copper and gold have the following differences with wiring:
1. Copper is known to be cheaper than gold but some studies show that copper has better electrical conductivity as compared to gold.
2. Gold is known to be more expensive than copper and some studies show that in some cases, gold can be weaker with conductivity than copper.
Q: What are the differences between copper and aluminum conductors?
A: Both copper and aluminum have been used in years of electronics and electrical components. Aluminum and copper conductors have the following differences:
1. Copper is a very old metal and has been used for a very long time. It has been used in the discovery of electricity and telegraph, and it is slightly more expensive than aluminum.
2. Aluminum is known to be very cheap as compared to copper, and has been used in many old electrical cables out there. Aluminum is less popular than copper in terms of building electrical cables.
Q: Is it worth it to buy expensive electrical cables?
A: Experts say that expensive electrical cables can be better than cheap ones, but it all comes down to the materials of the electrical cable. For example, gold seems to be a great conductor of signal and electricity but this all depends on the quality of the gold electrical cable..
Q: What are triaxial cables?
A: A triaxial cable is a kind of cable that have great resistance to EMI and are made to be an upgrade from coaxial cables. They have a better layer of shielding and thus, this makes them more expensive to buy. They can either be solid or stranded when it comes down to construction, and the gauge is somewhere from 14 to 22 AWG. The most common jackets for them are polyethylene and PVC.
Q: How do you clean a coaxial cable?
A: To clean a coaxial cable, you can do the following:
1. Disconnect the cable.
2. Use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to clean it with tweezers.
2. Let the cable dry.
Q: In terms of conductors and electrical cables, what is ampacity?
A: Ampacity refers to the temperature rating of the conductor. Copper and aluminum have different ampacities, which can be any of the following:
Copper conductors | AWG sizes / Ampacity | |||||
14-10 | 8-1 | 1/0-4/0 | 250-600 | 700-1,250 | 1,500-2,000 | |
60 degrees Celsius | 20 to 30 | 40 to 110 | 125 to 195 | 215 to 355 | 385 to 495 | 520 to 560 |
75 degrees Celsius | 20 to 35 | 50 to 130 | 150 to 230 | 255 to 420 | 460 to 590 | 625 to 665 |
90 degrees Celsius | 25 to 40 | 55 to 150 | 170 to 260 | 290 to 475 | 520 to 665 | 705 to 750 |
Aluminum conductors | AWG sizes / Ampacity | |||||
14-10 | 8-1 | 1/0-4/0 | 250-600 | 700-1,250 | 1,500-2,000 | |
60 degrees Celsius | 20 to 25 | 30 to 85 | 100 to 150 | 170 to 285 | 310 to 405 | 435 to 470 |
75 degrees Celsius | 20 to 30 | 40 to 100 | 120 to 180 | 205 to 340 | 375 to 485 | 520 to 560 |
90 degrees Celsius | 25 to 35 | 45 to 115 | 135 to 205 | 230 to 385 | 420 to 545 | 585 to 630 |
Wrapping It Up
In the long run, we think that the StripMeister Automatic Wire is our pick for the best wire stripping machine because of the good coating gauge capacity of 18 gauge to 250 mcm, which is plenty enough for many scrap cables. The Romex slot also makes things easier for those who have this kind of cable at hand for removing the coating easily.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.