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Question:

how to cut electrical wire?

I'm cutting 18 gauge wire, so I can run valve wires to the timer in the garage. The plastic casing over the wire is pretty thick, so I had to squeeze hard. I accidentally cut into the color casing of the actual wire inside, so I want to start over. How can I cut this wire away, and start again?

Answer:

Use a utility knife and cut around the casing then strip it off. Or run out to Home Depot and get yourself a wire cutter stripper tool.
Take a utility knife and cut a 3/4 slot at the end of the cable parallel with the conductors. Use two pliers, one to hold the outer sheath, and one to grip the conductors. Pull them 180 degrees away from each other. When you have the stripped length you want, cut off the outer sheath where the wires are not inside. Any cutting around the circumference of the sheath while the wires are enclosed, will lead to cutting the insulation on the wires. This is why many manufacturers install a nylon zip cord inbetween the wires. You can grab it with one pliers and pull it away from the cable while holding the cable with the other pliers, to cut the outer sheath.

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