How to Strip Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable is a vital component in electronic infrastructure; the majority of communications devices such as television, radio, satellite and cable rely on it as a signal carrier. Coaxial cable works by sending an electronic signal down the center lead, and a protective sheath wraps around the center lead to prevent signal damage. Stripping coaxial cable must be done to fasten a connector, and is a simple process with the right tools.

Things You'll Need

• Wire cutters or box cutter
• Coaxial cable stripper
• Crimp connector
• Cable crimper

Instructions

1. Use the wire cutters or box cutter to cut away the outer jacket of the coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has three layers of material surrounding the center lead: an inner plastic layer called the dielectric and two layers of aluminum foil and braided copper. Cut through the outer plastic jacket, leaving 1/2 inch of the two layers of foil and copper.

2. Fold the newly exposed copper and foil insulation backward over the outer jacket. Fully smooth it down so that it does not flare out. This must be done to fit the cable into the connector.

3. Adjust the depth of the coaxial cable stripper's blades. There should be two adjustable blades attached to a measured slider. The two blades are a fixed distance apart but have adjustable depth. Set the outer blade to be even with the lead, but not touching it. Look at the cross section of the coaxial cable, and set the inner blade to be even with the inner edge of the dielectric.

4. Cut the dielectric away. By this point in the process, you should have 1/4 inch of the center lead protruding.

5. Insert the stripped end of the coaxial cable into the connector, and be sure that there are no loose wires or any other conductive material running from the center lead to the folded copper braids. If you find anything, remove it before proceeding to the next step.

6. Bring the connector along the cable so that its end is even with the dielectric. The difference should be no more than 1/16 inch in either direction. Use the cable crimper to fasten the connector to the coaxial cable, and if necessary cut the protruding center lead to a length of 3/16 to 1/4 inch beyond the rim of the connector.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with straight cable if at all possible to ensure maximum electrical conductivity.

• Don't bend the cable too tightly; this can create shorts in the wire. The minimum bend radius is four times the cable's diameter.

• When using a box cutter or wire cutters, be aware that stripping coaxial cable is work done in a small area, and accidents happen.

• Never allow the center lead to touch the surfaces of the connector; it can result in electrical damage.