Stripping a coaxial cable is not very difficult, a little practice is enough. While tools specifically designed for this purpose are available at any hardware store or electronics store, and don't cost much, this article will tell you how to strip an RG 6 coaxial cable (a popular cable for satellite and cable TV) with a common cutter, and crimp it to a simple F connector.
Steps
Step 1. Hold the cable in one hand (as if you were carving a piece of wood), pointing the end to be stripped away from the body
Step 2. Hold the utility knife in your dominant hand and pull the blade out
Step 3. Press firmly on the side of the blade (not the tip) inserting it into the cable at the right angle (perpendicular to the cable) about 2.5cm from the end
The reason we do this is to cut the outer sheath and the dielectric shield (usually white in color) that surrounds the center of the conductor. You may encounter some resistance as the blade enters the cable. When the blade is halfway through the hollow, release the pressure. At this point, the blade has reached the center of the cable and will be threaded exactly in the middle. It is very important not to damage the center of the cable with the blade.
Step 4. Slide the blade around the middle of the cable, sliding the cable under the blade
Make sure that the blade does not cut the central filament and cut the sheath and the outer shield.
Step 5. Reposition the cable in the other hand, so that the blade can continue to rotate around the cable to complete the cut, allowing you to always work in a comfortable position
Step 6. Retract the blade and put the utility knife away (out of the reach of children)
Grab the cable between the end and the cut you just made. Forcefully remove the end from the cable with a twisting motion.
Step 7. Throw away the sheathed end of the cable and pull the copper cables out of the shield
Step 8. Cut away any braid remaining inside the cable with a knife or wire stripper
Step 9. Carefully inspect the center of the thread and make sure there are no imperfections or cuts
If you accidentally cut it with a cutter, you will have to cut the end, and start over until you are able to strip the end without damaging the wire. If you have never done it before, it may take 6, 10 or more attempts.
Step 10. Remove any dielectric shield film remaining on the conductor wire (if any) by scratching it off with your fingernails very gently
Make sure the lead wire is clean along the entire length of the stripped portion of the cable
Step 11. Hold the cable again as you did before to prepare to remove the outer jacket
There are different types of F-connectors, and different ways to attach them to the cable. Most F-connectors can be attached to cables prepared as indicated in this guide, unless the connectors you have chosen specifically require other sizes.
Step 12. Hold the utility knife as before, aligning the blade with the sheath approximately 12-15cm behind the cut made in the previous step
The purpose of this cut is to penetrate only the sheath, leaving the braid intact. The cut will be perpendicular to the cable, just like in the first step. Many F-connectors specify that the braid should not be removed, while for others it is preferable to remove the braid. For now, leave it where it is, it can always be removed later if needed. The braids are wrapped around the dielectric shield, and are located just behind the sheath layer. The individual strands that make up the braid are finer than a hair, and can be easily cut. Gently press the blade into the sheath and loop it around the cable in the same manner as described in the first step. Once the blade has cut around the wire, press the tip of the blade into the sheath and gently cut the sheath away from the cable. Again, don't cut the braid.
Step 13. Retract the blade and store the utility knife (out of the reach of children)
Strip about 12-15cm of the sheath away from the wire, leaving only the braids to cover the dielectric shield.
Step 14. Fold the braid over the outer sheath
By doing this, you will expose the dielectric shield that surrounds the conductor wire. Don't worry if some braids have been cut. Check the technical specifications of the F connectors that you are going to place at the end of the cable.
Step 15. Inspect the end of the cable
It is very important that there are no wires, shields or other obstructions between the lead wire and the braid. Remove any impurities found.
Step 16. Insert the F connector at the end of the cable
Carry out a final inspection by taking a look at the connector. Make sure there is no conductive debris left between the center of the conductor and the F connector before crimping the connector.
Step 17. The connector rests completely on the wire if the dielectric shield has been cleaned, when viewed from the outside inwards
It should not extend further or retract more than 2.5mm from the bottom of the connector. Under no circumstances should the central wire be in contact with the F connector.
Step 18. Secure the F-connector to the cable only with the tool required by the connector specifications
- Coaxial compression connector tool
- Coaxial crimper
Step 19. Economic Crimpers
Step 20. Cut the center conductor so that it extends beyond the F-connector by approximately half a centimeter / one centimeter
Advice
- We study the various parts of the cable. From the outside to the center are the sheath (usually white or black), the braids / shielding or both (some also have a second shielding layer or braids), dielectric shield (usually white) and finally the wire. central copper or iron-clad copper wire. Some cables also have a "messenger wire". Typically this is an iron-clad copper wire attached to the sheath. This messenger is used almost exclusively to support the cable between a pole and the point where it is connected inside the house. The messenger wire is connected to the ground by many professional installers.
- Leave as much braid as possible. This way, you will make sure that the coaxial cable is better connected to ground in the event of an electrical fault. TV cables are usually grounded at the point where they enter the house and protect other devices from being fried in the event of a short circuit in the electrical system.
- Practice with the wire stripper before you try.
- Only install connectors designed for that specific cable. Many connectors "look" similar, but are the wrong size for that type of cable, risking you losing signal quality or even not being able to connect at all.
- These steps can be used on different types of cables and connectors. Size and braid are generally the only variables involved. The RG6QS (QS = Quad Shield) connectors often require the removal of the outer braid and outer shield, while the inner braid and shield must remain intact.
- Cut enough cable that you can work on it without kinks, corrosion etc. Work with a cable that is as clean and straight as possible.
Warnings
- Use the utmost caution in using the cutter. For obvious reasons. This is work that is done on a small scale, so it may be difficult to hold all parts comfortably in your hand.
- Do not try to hold the cable firmly on mechanical devices such as a vise. The coaxial cable, while strong, may break when pressed too hard or bent at an angle. As a general rule, the diameter of the cable in the folded position should not be more than 4 times the diameter of the cable in the normal position.
