Stripping Cat5 Cables?

[CosmoKid]

So I am putting in an IR target under my plasma. Before construction I ran Cat5 to the location from the media closet. All I then need to do is snip the cable that came with the target and map the proper colors. No big deal.

Here's the problem:
None of my wire strippers are small enough to strip the colored wires that come inside the cat5 cable. Cat5 usually gets crimped. I need to strip. Advise?

[mtbkr]

i do this for a living. most of these cat5 cables have a string that you can pull back. that will rip the jacket back away from the twisted pairs. now are you needing the colored jacket taken off the copper wire itself or what?

[Snowgod]

While you may need to strip back the outer jacket (see above about string), you do not need to strip the copper pairs.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by CosmoKid

Here's the problem:
None of my wire strippers are small enough to strip the colored wires that come inside the cat5 cable. Cat5 usually gets crimped. I need to strip. Advise?

Test your skills on a spare piece of wire to get the hang of it. Using a pair of needlenose pliers crimp down hard on the individual lead where you want the bare wire to start. Then back off the pressure but still keep enough for the pliers to still grab the wire. Pull the pliers away and the insulation will come off leaving the bare un-nicked wire. Stripping off a little more than you actually want is OK, simply cut off the excess.

If you can't easily pull the pliers off with it grabbing the lead you are gripping it too hard. Don't use diaganol cutters or any cutting plier, any nick in a small gauge wire will usually cause it to break right there. The squeezing action of the needlenose causes the insulation to break but not the wire.

[mtbkr]

i just use my finger nails. you dont damage the wire and no tools necessary.

[CosmoKid]

i am assuming i need to undo the twisted pairs and just use a stripped single colored wire.

i am going to try everyone suggestions from easiest (finger nails) to most difficult (pliers).

i am also assuming i need to peel back the colowed coating to reveal the bare copper since i need to twist it with the wire attached to the IR target.

thanks everyone for the suggestions. hopefully i can pull this off.

[CosmoKid]

Fingernails did the trick. Amazing how easy it was!

[Sammy]

No stripping is required if you are using the right connectors.

[D]

You can also pick up a mini leatherman multi-tool @ radioshack, it's wire stripper is small enough for 20 gauge wire, and works great for Cat-5.

[DIY_HD]

I agree with Snowgod. I never stripped the individual conductors. All you need is a punch-down tool. You get a plastic one free if you buy a 10-pack of connectors. I never had a problem doing it this way.

FYI, Ethernet only requires 4 conductors. Since Cat5 cable has 8, you can map the other 4 conductors as a second line. I did this to add a dual-jack behind my entertainment center. Just write down the color codes for the second line to make sure you have both ends wired straight through (Brown to Red, etc.)

[Pondosinatra]

Cat5????

Pfffft. Real men use Fiber Channel.

[D]

The op's question was regarding an IR run/connection, not ethernet. it has to be stripped and spliced. IR does not terminate with RJ-45.

[Sammy]

I have one similar to this and it works incredibly well on all sizes of wire and the outer sheaths of multi-cable conductors. I bought mine at West Marine to do wiring on my boat.

http://www.mbelectronics.com/view.aspx?id=494
Heavy Duty Multi Function Stripper

Part Number: EC200-070
Order Code: EC200-070
Specifications:

• Insulated terminals 22-10AWG
  Non insulated terminals 22-10AWG
  Auto ignition terminals
  Built in cutter
  Adjustable stopper
  Micro Adjustment
  Strips AWG 24-10

Features:
Price: $21.95