Stripping Romex in the box

[Bama_Electrical]

This past week I was working with a helper and he was cutting the romex sheath with a razor blade before stripping it off. He wasn’t being that careful and definitely would have knicked a few conductors along the way had I not stopped him. Got me thinking though. Pretty sure this happens a lot, but what kind of issues could it cause down the road?

 

[Rick 0920]

I seriously doubt that any major issues would be caused by that unless he really gouged the conductors hard with the blade or you could see exposed copper on the insulated conductors. I used a utility knife to strip NM cable during my career in the field. Back then, all 3 conductor NM cable was round and the conductors were wrapped around inside the jacket. You had to be careful to not cut too deep but I'm certain that on a few occasions my blade would cut into the insulation. Teach him to look for the bare EGC in flat cables and angle his blade slightly toward it. That way, if he cuts deeper than necessary his blade will run alongside the bare conductor which would cause no harm at all.

 

[qcroanoke]

Teach him to look for the bare EGC in flat cables and angle his blade slightly toward it. That way, if he cuts deeper than necessary his blade will run alongside the bare conductor which would cause no harm at all.

That is exactly how my dad taught me to strip romex. And he would have a fit if you put the romex in the box without stripping it first.
I personally don't know why anyone wouldn't strip it first. But that's just me.

 

[Krusscher]

When I did residential I would put my stripers on the outside sheath at the length you want and rock it back and forth with light pressure, then just tug on the sheath and it would generally pull right off. That way the only tool I needed was a hammer and strippers.

 

[rc/retired]

That is exactly how my dad taught me to strip romex. And he would have a fit if you put the romex in the box without stripping it first.
I personally don't know why anyone wouldn't strip it first. But that's just me.

Unfortunately, I failed a few rough inspections because there wasn't any sheathing in the boxes.
I was taught to strip the cable after it was in the box.

Ron

 

[BarryO]

Just buy him one of these; problem solved.

Cable Ripper and Wire Gauge, Nickel Plated, 4 inch, 1/Pk

This simple to use cable ripper is only 4 inches long to tuck neatly into your electrical tool belt. The nickel-plated finish offers corrosion-resistant durability. Handy design slits outer covering of all sizes (both old and new) of non-metallic (type NM) sheathed cable. Wire gauge etched into...

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