wire stripper
Definition
Noun: A hand-held tool specifically designed to remove the protective insulating sheath from the end of an electrical wire, preparing it for connection.
Usage
A wire stripper is an essential tool for electrical work. It is used to cleanly cut and strip insulation without damaging the metal conductor inside. The user places the cut end of an insulated wire into a correctly sized notch on the tool, squeezes the handles to cut through the insulation, and then pulls the tool away to remove the insulation sleeve.
Examples
- Noun:
- Before connecting the outlet, use the wire stripper to remove about half an inch of insulation from each wire.
- A good wire stripper has multiple notches to accommodate different wire gauges.
- The electrician reached for his wire stripper to prepare the circuit wires.
Advanced Usage
- Automatic wire stripper: A more advanced type of tool that often combines cutting, stripping, and sometimes crimping functions in one device. It typically requires only one hand to operate.
- For repetitive tasks, an automatic wire stripper can significantly increase efficiency.
Variants and Related Words
- Wire strippers (noun, plural): The more common form, referring to the tool, which is almost always used in the plural.
- He bought a new pair of wire strippers.
- Stripping tool (noun): A more general term that can refer to a wire stripper or tools for stripping other materials like cable or paint.
Synonyms
- Cable stripper: While often used interchangeably, a cable stripper may be designed for thicker, coaxial, or bundled cables.
- Insulation stripper: A more descriptive, though less common, synonym.
Related Phrases/Idioms
(This specific tool name is technical and does not commonly feature in idiomatic expressions.)
Noun
-
a hand tool used by electricians to remove insulation from the cut end of an insulated wire
