Pro Handyman Blog

A handyman runs into this all the time. If you are doing some light electrical work, you may find the need to properly strip the ends of the wires. Solid wire is used to connect light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. and if you are connecting a fixture for the first time, you will find that the wires have all been cut to the same length, flush with the insulation.

After you check to make sure the power is off, separate the wires and get ready to strip them. You can buy a wire stripping tool with various holes in it for various gauges of wire. The most common for fixtures will be either 12 or 14 gauge. Place the wire in the tool and close the jaws of the tool around the wire. If you have selected to correct hole, the tool should cleanly cut through the insulation, but leave the copper wire. You can them pull the insulation off of the wire.

You can also use wire cutters (or lineman’s pliers). They usually have a notch near the base of the tool for stripping wire. You will have to guess though how far to squeeze the tool as the gauge of your wire may not match the notch in the tool, so you risk cutting into the copper if the gauge is larger than the notch. I generally strip away the minimum amount of insulation necessary for the job. Depending on the application you are working on, 3/8”-½” should be sufficient.