Factors Affecting Wire Stripping Performance of Telephone Company Craftspeople

Abstract

Telephone company craftspeople strip insulation from the ends of almost one billion wires per year. We conducted field and laboratory studies to identify and recommend improvements on factors affecting this wire stripping performance. These factors included: user strength characteristics; the size and shape of the stripping pliers; the size, shape, and position of the stripping notch; the stripping motion used by the craftsperson; wire insulation adhesion forces; and allowable stripping forces. A description of these studies and the resultant recommendations are presented.