Should I use 1mm or 1.5mm earth in domestic lighthing?

[Cadgey123]

I don’t see a problem with doing it with a knife. I just think it’s a faff and more risk of catching the cables. Trying to get your knife in a small accessory box is a pain.

 

[HandySparks]

Trying to get your knife in a small accessory box is a pain.

Try a smaller knife. These are really solid, unlike the plastic ones.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-9MM-Snap-Blade-Knife/dp/B0001IW5A4

 

[Pete999]

I don’t see a problem with doing it with a knife. I just think it’s a faff and more risk of catching the cables. Trying to get your knife in a small accessory box is a pain.

Never s

Try a smaller knife. These are really solid, unlike the plastic ones.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-9MM-Snap-Blade-Knife/dp/B0001IW5A4

Don't think you would go wrong with a knife like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/goods4less...7896736&sr=8-3&keywords=ck+electricians+knife

 

[Strima]

Never s

Don't think you would go wrong with a knife like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/goods4less...7896736&sr=8-3&keywords=ck+electricians+knife

That's all I use, as long as they're kept sharp they are a good knife.

I don't like Stanley knives or similar as the blade is very brittle and can snap off easily into little sharp shards...

 

[The Ghost]

When I look at a job and see split ends on cables and screws not straight in the fixings I think straight away "Ok not a top job here I wonder what other corners have been cut". I showed this to a third year trainee and like you @Cadgey123 he said it's a load of rubbish, not quite the same words but similar. I challenged him to strip ends of cables faster than me. He hadn't even got hold of the earth and I had stripped my cable ends. I know its a bit purist but that is my whole approach to be exact as I can. I just like to make everything neat and be very careful. I know I probably would get thrown off site if found to be doing such careful work but hey I am my own man I can proced pretty well how I like. Conversely if you inspect work that has been done the way I would suggest, you think Aha one of those guys, very fussy and careful ok...

 

[westward10]

Nothing else happening, obviously.

 

[Midwest]

please strip the cable correctly using an electricians knife, dont just pull the earth to split the grey sheathing

Okay, need to change the habit of a life time.

 

[Pete999]

View attachment 38801

Okay, need to change the habit of a life time.

Might change your mind if you were taught correctly in the first place Middy.

 

[telectrix]

hmmm.i might have banged my fist on the wall when cpc has snapped when using it as a ripping cord, but never had a sliced finger or a cut through the conductor's insulation.

 

[ipf]

I don’t see a problem with doing it with a knife. I just think it’s a faff and more risk of catching the cables. Trying to get your knife in a small accessory box is a pain.

Practice and craftsmanship, maybe?

 

[telectrix]

what we need is as was developed by star trek .dr.mccoy .laser probe cuts through skin but not tissue ( insulation) and conductor ( bones )

 

[PEG]

Vortigen is correct,and then you just have to step back,and let each to their own.

I have,and would never,run a knife around the sheath of a SWA,because the tiny cut to the plated steel armouring,is where the corrosion starts...simple as that.

I would not unduly apply scorn,to a man using a knife to do the same task,it's just that he's wrong...and i'm not

 

[The Ghost]

Just as a matter of interest @PEG how do you strip the outer sheath of SWA without the aid of a sharp implement?

 

[Midwest]

Might change your mind if you were taught correctly in the first place Middy.

I think I was taught rightly or wrongly, of both ways. Never seemed an issue to me not to use a knife.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I can categorically state that using the CPC as a rip cord does decrease the CSA. Recently I had a small ring with L-L and N-N each measuring 0.10 ohms. Due to my poor de-sheathing technique the CPC when tested was 0.169 ohms. The 0.002 ohm shortfall posed a very real fire risk in my view so I immediately pulled the walls apart and rewired it all. It's a shame really as the plasterer and decorator had only been in the week before..

 

[PEG]

Just as a matter of interest @PEG how do you strip the outer sheath of SWA without the aid of a sharp implement?

I have always used either a Klauke or Thomas Betts scoring tool,which whips round the periphery of a circular sheath,with an adjustable depth,swivelling cutter. A couple of spins,and then pull off the end,results in the sheath coming off like an onion skin.

Same tool will do many sizes,and flexible cables,spring loaded design,blade can be replaced,although i never have,just dressed up with a DMT hone.

If i was demonstrating the benefit of such a tool to students,i would get them all to strip 6" of the sheath,on a 12" piece of SWA,using standard knifes,etc.

I would then strip 3" off the other end,using my favoured weapon. Both ends can then be coated in a weak acid solution,to speed up simulated corrosion,and left for a week or so.

When the remaining sheath is removed,it is obvious,which process is the most beneficial.

....Or,i could just accept the frequent advice,regarding getting either "out more" or "a life"

 

[telectrix]

with SWA, i use the CK armourslice. first to score the armour prior to breaking off, then approx. 1" back to cut the outer sheath. all done in one operation.