ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Pre-twist, Ground up, and...

For the few Residential based projects "Under My Belt", did the same as Rojosy - as to the stripping of the NM Sheath outside the box.

Figure enough to bring in at least ½" of sheathing inside the box, strip sheath - but pull only an inch or so upwards, leaving the sheath encompassing the wires (makes easier to run through box K.O.s and such), insert cable(s) into box, secure with staple(s), remove loose sheaths, make-up splices, move on to next outlet.

Just my way of doing things - obviously cannot leave the Commercial Realm! (Inspectors have made comments about "How Much Of A Shame It Will Be To Cover The Walls With Drywall And Hide The NM Cable"...only because of the "Art Work"). Those comments were very nice indeed! Although I would definitely starve if Residential was my main field and tried to install that way always!

Scott35

BTW: Pre-twist splices, ground pin up when in a location that could benifit from this orientation (or if in the job specs).

S.E.T.

I hate to be stubborn, but I believe the proper method, or at least the best practice, is to remove the jacket first. If the installer damages the conductor or insulation while stripping at that point, it is due to poor practice and he is just as likely to damage it at any point in time.
I simply can't see how you can use the utility knife technique, after the cables are inserted, and be confident that the insulation is not slit also.

Wouldn't using one of those "cable rippers" designed for NM cable be easier than using a box cutter to slit the insulation?

Or can these also damage the internal insulation if you're not careful with such a tool anyway?

I was always a strip the sheath first kind of guy. Once you get used to it, it's not hard to make sure you've got enough sheath in the box. Never liked to see my guys use Stanley knives to strip the sheath either. Spent my share of time fixing "accidents" that occured when they did it. I was always partial to the cable ripper. Saftey first, then neatness (yes, neatness does count). Oh yeah, twist first; grounds down...

grounds up --twisted. GEO

Do you guys first strip a length of wire, wrap it around a terminal, and break off the excess, or do you just make a loop in the end of the wire?


-more than 3, pre twist.
-ground up
-never backstab!!

If I'm dealing with solid wire I just make a loop at the end of the (pre-stripped) wire....I usually use one of those screwdrivers with the little looping posts in the handle.

If it's stranded zip cord around the terminal screw of a lamp-holder or a plug, I strip a little bit more than necessary so I can grab the tip with my fingers and wrap around the terminal screw. After the screw is tightened I use the tiny side-cutters for trimming the excess.

Maybe I should start doing the same with solid wire...it seems easier.

I pretwist solids and solid/stranded even if it's two wires.

Stranded, I let the wirenut take care of it. Never had a tight-fitting nut come off -always give them a little tug after they're tightened...just to make sure.

Outlets are ground down - because a lot of the heavy duty cords I use have right-angle plugs that point ground down and the cord exits down also.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 03-21-2003).]