What Is a Cable Cutter?
Cable cutters are tools for cutting cables.
They have two blades and are shaped like scissors. Nippers are used to cut wires, but cable cutters can cut thicker cables.
Uses of Cable Cutters
Cable cutters are mainly used for electrical work. If the core wire is thin, it is easier to handle with nippers.
Cable cutters are therefore used to cut thicker wires. Especially if the core wire cross-sectional area is about 38 mm2 or larger, cable cutters are easier to cut.
Cable cutters can also be used to cut multi-core wires together. In some cases, such as wiring removal work, wiring is removed while cutting from the end. In such situations, cable cutters that can cut multi-core wires at once are very useful.
Principle of Cable Cutters
Cable cutters are composed of a blade, handle, and mechanism.
1. Blade
Cable cutters have two blades similar to scissors. The two steel blades engage from the top and bottom to cut the cable. The blades are shaped like a beak so as not to deform the shape of the copper wire inside the cable as much as possible.
2. Handle
The handle is the part that is held in the hand and the force is applied to it. The handle is longer than the blade, so that force is strongly applied to the blade tip by the principle of leverage. The surface of the handle is coated with rubber or vinyl to prevent slipping and cushioning.
3. Mechanism
The mechanism part is the part used to apply force to the blade tip. It is fastened to the base of the teeth with screws or rivets and serves as the fulcrum in the principle of leverage. A spring may be attached to assist the handle to open naturally.
Types of Cable Cutters
There are several types of cable cutters: manual, ratchet, and electric.
1. Manual Type
This type of cable cutter uses human power to cut the cable. The principle is the same as that of scissors as described above, and is used when the cable thickness is relatively thin. Some products have a shape that allows only the core wire to remain, similar to strippers or electric pliers.
2. Ratchet Type
This cable cutter has a ratchet mechanism. After the cable is clamped, each time the handle is grasped, the upper blade moves a little closer to the lower blade. By gripping the handle multiple times, the ratchet mechanism terminates and the cable can be cut.
The ratchet type can cut the cable with less force than the manual type. Therefore, the ratchet type should be used for thicker cables, such as those with a copper wire diameter of 100 mm2.
3. Electric Type
Electric cable cutters are powered by a battery and motor. It has a hydraulic pump inside and cuts cables under hydraulic pressure. Although the cable can be cut without applying force, it is characterized by its heavy weight.
If the cable is thick, it may be difficult to cut even with the ratchet type. In such cases, the electric type is effective.
How to Select a Cable Cutter
The following three points should be considered when selecting a cable cutter:
1. Type
As mentioned above, there are several types of cable cutters. Select the type according to the thickness of the cable to be cut.
For cutting thin cables, a manual type or the like should be used, while a ratchet type or an electric type is effective for cutting thick cables.
2. Cutting Capacity
Cable cutters are listed by their cutting capacity. These vary greatly depending on the size of the cable cutter itself and the shape of the blade.
In many cases, the description will say, for example, “00 wire (ø0.5 mm),” meaning that the cutter can cut up to a wire of material with a diameter of ø0.5 mm. Select a cable cutter by comparing its cutting capacity with that of the cable you wish to cut.
3. Whether the Cable Cutter Is Insulated or Not
Some cable cutters are insulated. In general, the wires to be cut are worked under no-voltage conditions, but if you select an insulated type, the risk of electric shock will be reduced even in the event of overhead electricity.
Other Information on Cable Cutters
How to Use Cable Cutters
The basic usage of cable cutters is the same as that of nippers or scissors. First, determine the length of the cable to be cut, and place the cable cutter between the cable and the cutter.
The cable cutter is assisted by the principle of leverage, so the cable is cut simply by grasping the grip. The ease of cutting depends on the core material of the cable.
Be careful not to use a blade that is weaker than the core material, as this will damage the cable cutter.