Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Working
With Nonmetallic (NM) Cable
You'll
find nonmetallic (NM) cable easy to cut and quick to install. Just be
careful when you remove the sheathing so
you don't accidentally slit the
wire insulation. If you do, cut off the damage and start again; otherwise,
you may get a short or a shock. Whenever possible, strip sheathing before
cutting the cable to length. That way if you make a mistake, you can try
again. Before you start, contact your municipal building department.
Step 1
PULL THE GROUND WIRE
Pull the ground wire. Cut or pull back the sheathing so you can grab
the end of the ground wire with lineman's pliers. Hold the cable end in
the other hand, and pull back the ground wire until you have made a slit
in the sheathing about 12 inches long. This technique is common practice
among electricians, but pay extra attention because you can damage the
ground wire while pulling it out.
Step 2
REMOVE
THE SHEATHING
Remove the sheathing. Pull the plastic sheathing back. Peel off any
protective paper
wrapping or thin strips of plastic, and cut them off.
Step 3
SNIP THE SHEATHING
Snip the sheathing. Use side-cutting pliers, wire strippers, or the
cutting portion of lineman's pliers to cut the sheathing.
Step 4
PULL
THE CABLE INTO THE BOX
Pull the cable into the box. Push the wires through the clip or clamp
on the box. Pull the cable into the box so at least 1/4 inch of sheathing
shows inside.
