How To Strip Wire

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How To Strip Wire. How to Properly Strip and Terminate Non-Metallic Cable (NMD/Romex)

Hi there! Today, we’re going to talk about stripping—not the kind you’re thinking of!

Welcome back to the channel, and thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like and subscribe. In this post, we’re going to show you how to properly strip non-metallic dry cable—also known as NMD in Canada and Romex (NM or NM-B) in the U.S.

Romex has a paper coating underneath the sheath, making it slightly easier to strip than Canadian NMD. We’ll walk through three different methods to strip the cable and complete a professional termination using just three tools: a Robertson screwdriver, lineman’s pliers, and wire strippers.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Robertson (Robbie) screwdriver – or a flathead if you’re in the U.S.
  • Lineman’s pliers
  • Electrician’s knife – a good sharp hook knife is key
  • Wire strippers

There are lots of fancy gadgets online, but nothing beats the reliability of a classic electrician’s hook knife when it’s sharpened properly.

Method 1: Side Strip

  1. Start by stripping down the side of the wire.
    Use your knife to carefully cut along the sheath without damaging the insulated conductors inside.
  2. Pull off the outer jacket.
    Strip it back to your desired length and trim off the excess.
  3. Insert into the box.
    Lift the tabs on the electrical box, fold them back, and push the wire inside.

This is the most common and straightforward method.

Method 2: Center Strip with Knife

  1. Use a sharp electrician’s knife.
    Press it into the center of the cable and angle the blade toward the ground conductor in the middle.
  2. Pull away from yourself for safety.
    Strip to your predetermined length, peel off the sides, and remove the sheath.
  3. Insert the wire and clamp.
    Stick the cable into the box and use your screwdriver to snug the clamp down. Make sure about ½” of the outer sheath enters the box.

Method 3: Center Strip from End

  1. Start where your strip should begin.
    Carefully pull down the center of the sheath using your knife.
  2. Keep hands clear of the blade.
    This method takes practice to avoid injury. Strip both sides, remove the sheath, and insert the wire into the box.

Ground and Neutral Connections

At the rough-in stage, start by terminating your ground conductors:

  • Insert each ground wire under its grounding terminal.
  • Loop them around, form a proper hook, and twist together using a wire nut.
  • Push them securely into the back of the box.

For neutrals, strip them using strippers or, if you’re experienced, by feel. Then twist together and cap with a wire nut. Again, push them into the back of the box.

Wiring a Switch (Single and Double-Gang)

For a single switch, the process is simple:

  • Strip your line (power feed), load (to light), and neutral wires.
  • Use a pigtail to split your hot wire if you’re connecting multiple devices.
  • Cap and push all wires into the box, neatly organized.

For a two-gang box with two switches:

  1. Strip the power wire down the center and insert into the box.
  2. Strip and install light wires (again, center or side method works).
  3. Tie all neutrals together and cap with a wire nut.
  4. Split the hot (power feed) into two tails—one for each switch.
  5. Loop the ground wire to bond both sides of the metal box together, then add a third ground from the device.

Always twist wires together before adding a wire nut. A proper mechanical connection ensures a secure and safe termination.

Organizing Your Box

Before closing up:

  • Group wires logically (line, load, neutral).
  • Avoid a tangled mess—it’ll save time during final installation.
  • Push the connections deep into the box so the drywallers don’t nick them.

Pro Tip: Those little loops in the wire are there on purpose. If damage occurs during drywalling, you can simply pull more wire out, re-strip, and reconnect without needing repairs.

Final Notes

We’ve received a lot of questions about metal boxes, gangable boxes, and looping. These techniques are standard practice and offer flexibility and protection during the finishing stages.

If you’re interested in more about that topic, we’ve got a video coming soon. Once it’s posted, you’ll see a link right here in the corner of the screen.

Thanks for reading! Again, don’t forget to like and subscribe, and always remember:

Never do your own electrical work.
Always consult a licensed electrician in your area.

See you in the next one!

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