How to Use a BX Cutter

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

BX cable has a long history of not being accepted by many electrical inspectors. BX armored cable is difficult to cut which often led to nicks and shorted wires. The introduction of BX armored cable cutters remove the armor off the cable without damaging the internal wires. BX cutters available today are easy to use.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Place the armored cable into the cutter with the length you wish to have stripped sticking out past the end of the cutter with the handle.

Step2

Squeeze the quick clamp lever on the bottom or if your device has a thumb screw, tighten it by hand until the screw tip fits snugly into the groove of the armored cables casing.

Step3

Rotate the crank on the BX cutter until it suddenly becomes easier to spin. Stop rotating the crank once you reach this point.

Step4

Release the quick clamp handle or loosen the thumb screw.

Step5

Remove the cable from the BX cutter.

Step6

Pull and twist the armor and it should slowly begin to slide off the end of the wire.

Tips & Warnings

Lubricate the BX cutters blade shaft when changing the blade.
Do not use this cutter on any live cables. If you connect the hot and ground wires by cutting through them, you may be killed.
Adjust your cutter to allow for the reduced cutting depth needed for reduced wall MC cable or you may damage the conductors creating a fire and shock hazard.