How to Cut Wire - 4/0 to 22 AWG

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  • Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
  • This video post will teach you how to cut wire from 4/0 to 22 AWG. These are the most common sizes of wires you will encounter on your DIY camper project. Cutting 4/0 to 22 AWG wire is pretty straightforward and if you can use scissors, you can learn to cut wire (and if you can't use scissors, you should consider NOT performing DIY electrical projects).
    I've made a blog post with a nice cheat sheet for what tools to use for what gauge of wire AND a summary of the tools you saw in this video. You can see that blog post here: www.explorist....

КОМЕНТАРІ • 67

  • @markharris8998
    @markharris8998 4 роки тому +6

    I love that your videos teach the skill quickly without all the dumb UA-cam intros and blah blah blah. I learned what I needed to in less than 5 minutes. Thanks.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому

      We grew out of our dumb youtube intro and blah blah blah phase. Don't dig too far back in our uploads. lol

  • @jasoncarnes9846
    @jasoncarnes9846 3 роки тому +10

    I'm just getting started on a build, and like a lot of people I see, I feel overwhelmed by the task of powering and wiring it up! I am so pumped that you've put out this series! Thank you THANK YOU! Great content, knowledge, insight, etc etc!

  • @midnite22767
    @midnite22767 4 роки тому +6

    Thank you for this series! As they say, there are no stupid questions...

    • @1monagale
      @1monagale Рік тому

      When I got my sicker
      kit, I didn't even know what a lug was. I'm learning so much!

  • @DustyKorpse
    @DustyKorpse 4 роки тому +4

    Your videos are great. I never think you can ever go "to basic" cos sometimes it's just nice to get reassurance that what your doing is the 'right way' to do it 😉 👍

  • @Moliseth
    @Moliseth 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much for this video! I had no clue that some simple tools like needle nose pliers had wire cutters on the side lmao. Definitely a thumbs up!

  • @1monagale
    @1monagale Рік тому

    So close to installing the cables on the batteries, but had to order the 16 cable cutter, I used your link! If it wasn't for your knowledge I would have given up by now. See you in Evergreen CO to say hi!

  • @erikvincent5846
    @erikvincent5846 Рік тому +1

    Those Southwire 59158540 16" Cutters are pretty good!

  • @jagardina
    @jagardina 4 роки тому +2

    I've been working with wires and electrical stuff since I was a wee lad. I'm not a wee lad anymore by a longshot yet I just watched a video on cutting wires.

    • @jagardina
      @jagardina 4 роки тому +2

      I look forward to the more advanced installations.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому +3

      Thanks! Got some more basics coming up but will be doing a much more in-depth install in an Airstream in May. Lots of other big projects coming down the line for late this year and 2021 as well.

  • @charliemckay6402
    @charliemckay6402 3 роки тому

    A very handy electrical stripping tool is a Knippex Piano Wire Cutter. They are super leveraged making heavy cuts easy but will also cut very thin material. They are a bit pricy but come in several sizes and last forever cutting copper.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  3 роки тому

      Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

  • @ShortCrypticTales
    @ShortCrypticTales 3 роки тому

    I used my shop scissors that uses a replaceable razor blade for cutting my 0 awg wires when constructing my battery bank wires also used them to cut pex and more they are awesome

  • @shiftfocus1
    @shiftfocus1 3 роки тому +5

    Top tip: garden shears do NOT work well for cutting 4 AWG cable. Ask how I know. (Honestly, though, they were on hand and I had to try before I bought the cable cutters...)

  • @FreedomVanGo
    @FreedomVanGo 4 роки тому +1

    Also Pro tip
    Ratcheting PEX cutters are freaking awesome.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому +1

      Yes! So game changer. I saw some ratcheting wire cutters for large gauge wire the other day and was hovering the 'add to cart' button for too long. lol Would be handy for travel since those 16" cable cutters don't fit in my portable toolboxes.

    • @FreedomVanGo
      @FreedomVanGo 4 роки тому +1

      @@EXPLORISTlife i completely stopped using dedicated cutters after i got pex cutters. they last for 4 or 5 vans and are 18 bucks. and i can cut in tight spaces.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому +1

      Wait... you are using pex cutters for wire? I wouldn't have thought that would have worked. Nice!!

    • @FreedomVanGo
      @FreedomVanGo 4 роки тому

      @@EXPLORISTlife yup. Works fantastic. Been doing it for a year or two now. Up to 3/0 ive tried and its like butter
      Then i use the non ratchet pex cutters to cut the jacket. its way faster and safer than a razor.

  • @nosaltiesandrooshere7488
    @nosaltiesandrooshere7488 3 роки тому

    👍 Danke fürs Hochladen!
    👍 Thanks for uploading!

  • @dennym
    @dennym Рік тому

    Have you had any experience using this TEMCo Industrial
    TEMCo TH0035 Ratcheting Cable Cutter - Cuts up to 500 MCM (240mm²)? If so what would be your choice over when compared to this, TEMCo TH0002 18" 400 MCM ELECTRICAL WIRE & CABLE CUTTER

  • @sandman9379
    @sandman9379 3 роки тому +1

    I need help please! I cut 6/2 & 10/2 awg regularly. It’s not small copper strands. It’s 3 solid copper wires insulated for high voltage (240v typically). I do HVAC. Thanks for anyone’s help!

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  3 роки тому

      Most of the pinciples will be the same. You may have to experiment a bit with it. I use the biggest cutters shown here for 6/3 wire. You should be able to cut 10/2 with diagonal cutters.

  • @frankbuckwalter9603
    @frankbuckwalter9603 Рік тому

    It probably won't happen but if you are cutting leads like those to electronic components a shear wire cutter will no introduce shock like a diagonal wire cutter will. It is not a big deal unless you are working with components like resistors or capacitors etc.

  • @Cdswjp
    @Cdswjp Рік тому

    thank you man.... really... question please.... is "6 gauge 3-conductor wire" the same as "6 gauge triplex wire" ??

  • @NoNameNo.5
    @NoNameNo.5 4 місяці тому

    This is also guitar wire gauge, so thanks

  • @nickaltvater5592
    @nickaltvater5592 4 роки тому

    I prefer a cutoff wheel for larger wire. It cuts perfectly

  • @ifell3
    @ifell3 7 місяців тому

    $60 for a wire snip, I honestly think I would be using a hacksaw. Mind you an angle grinder you say, I've got one of these 😁

  • @ivenom6740
    @ivenom6740 Рік тому

    Hi, looking for some assistance. i have an older kit this was bought in 2020, consist of four RNG-100D-SS, a Wanderer Controller, and three Valiant VTD12-100. these were originally used as solar relays for ubiquiti accesspoints. but i plan on repurposing them for backup power for my Networking rack. which has an external DC input 48V DC, 6A. i understand this is a 12V kit. and i was reading that the batteries can be wired in series to achieve 48V. my curiousity is which controller would other users recommend? or if this is possible. im rather new to this sort of thing. our home will be built by end of march 24' so i have abit of time to learn. (Note i did say the kit had three batteries, i actually have 6 total and 8 solar panels.)

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  Рік тому +1

      I don't have any direct advice for what you've got going on, but I suspect if you watch this playlist start-to-finish, you'll have a really good idea of what you can and can't incorporate into your project: ua-cam.com/play/PLmvhcyi4n0TU6HlMaQiCUwC20DBlyv6s_.html

  • @deus_65
    @deus_65 2 роки тому

    My friend used cold steel to connect his 4 batteries. I told him I thought the resistance in steel as opposed to 4/0, 2/0 or copper bars could be a problem. How is it best to explain this to him? Safety/efficiency/etc

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  2 роки тому +1

      Copper is anywhere from 7-30% more conductive than steel (depending on the ratio of carbon to iron in the steel). This means that to reach the same conductivity, the steel would need to be 7-30% larger than the copper to reach the same electrical conductivity.

  • @michaelsrowland
    @michaelsrowland Рік тому

    How do you cut the outer casing to expose the red and black cable

  • @RogerWilco1
    @RogerWilco1 3 роки тому

    Angle Grinders! LOL!!

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  3 роки тому +1

      There's such a difference in 'things that work' and 'things that work well'.

  • @mkdsk101
    @mkdsk101 3 роки тому

    do you have a link for the 9 inch cable cutters?

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  3 роки тому

      Links to all products found in this video can be found in the associated blog post: www.explorist.life/how-to-cut-wire/

  • @stuff3508
    @stuff3508 2 роки тому

    Why not use a hack saw for cutting 4/0 wire?

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  2 роки тому

      Do whatever you like. 👍 You could gnaw it in half as far as I'm concerned. I've provided the correct way to do it, its now up to you do execute as you see fit.

  • @BenMitro
    @BenMitro 4 роки тому +1

    "Side cutters" is what I call "Diags" here in OZ.

    • @jagardina
      @jagardina 4 роки тому

      My dad who taught me all this stuff as a kid, always used the full 5 syllables. Diagonal cutters. He didn't like cursing.

    • @BenMitro
      @BenMitro 4 роки тому +1

      @@jagardina pass me the side cutters, got to lop off a syllable or two. Let's try "gonuters" :)

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому

      Yeah, I've heard side cutters used as another term for them as well.

  • @reem46490
    @reem46490 8 місяців тому

    2:26

  • @lanajantz2240
    @lanajantz2240 3 роки тому

    Great video thank you. Suggest say diagonals.

  • @leonardlewis5586
    @leonardlewis5586 2 роки тому

    By the power invested in me I give you permission to use the word dyke without recourse you're welcome

  • @eastwood111
    @eastwood111 2 роки тому

    Diags life’s matter

  • @christyw9280
    @christyw9280 2 роки тому

    With a minimal amount of swearing. 😆

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  2 роки тому

      That's really my benchmark for success.

  • @speedkiss22
    @speedkiss22 Рік тому +1

    This video really did not help because basically you are promoting to have immense amount of of tools what we really want is just one tool that does the job for all

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  Рік тому

      Check out the newer video we made on electrical tools for that recommendation

    • @jasonborne5724
      @jasonborne5724 6 місяців тому

      @@EXPLORISTlifeLink? Or Title?

  • @forevergoddessqueen4404
    @forevergoddessqueen4404 4 роки тому

    Says minimum cursing and proceeds with diags.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому

      Real life Nate has SIGNIFICANTLY more cursing. lol

  • @buzzsah
    @buzzsah 4 роки тому

    Tools and teeth. lol

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому

      I hate making thumbnails. I truly do. lol

  • @dragonflysdiscoveries7567
    @dragonflysdiscoveries7567 4 роки тому +1

    You have great videos but you talk too fast.

    • @EXPLORISTlife
      @EXPLORISTlife  4 роки тому +2

      If you click the cog in the bottom right of the video screen you can change the playback speed to be slower.