Wire is cut to length at the rough-wiring stage; splitting and stripping are done when wiring devices. Each step requires a different tool.
To cut wires or cable to length, simply use lineman's pliers or diagonal cutters.
To open up flat cable, such as two-wire NM (with or without ground), use a cable ripper or knife to score the sheath lengthwise. If you're working with round, three-wire cable--such as when wiring three-way switches--use a pocket knife or utility knife so you can follow the curve of the twisted wires without cutting into their insulation.
Don't cut cable while it rests on your knee or thigh. Use a flat board or wall surface. Also, don't cut toward your body--always work away from it.Once you've exposed the wires and cut off the outer sheath and any paper or other separation materials, you're ready to strip the insulation off the ends of the wires. You can easily strip small solid-core wires from sizes #18 to #10 using wire strippers or the graduated wire stripper jaws on a multipurpose tool. To strip larger wires--from #8 to #2/0--use a pocket knife to take off the insulation as if you were sharpening a pencil, again cutting away from your body. The length of wire you'll need to strip varies depending on the job.
Be careful not to nick the wire when you're stripping off its insulation. A nicked wire will break easily when bent to form a loop for a connection to a screw terminal. If you do nick a wire, snip off the damaged wire end and begin again.
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