Wire, Strippers and Snips

Electrical Tools

In Robotics and general electrical applications it is common to use wires to carry electrical power and signals. In general we break up the type of wire into these two primary categories, power lines and signal lines. Power implies higher current applications thus the thickness or Gage of the wire must be larger. Wires and wire gauges play crucial roles in ensuring safe and efficient power and signal transmission throughout the robot.

Common Wire Gauges and Their Uses:

6 AWG or Larger:

Used for battery connections to the main breaker and the Power Distribution Hub (PDH).
Carries high current (up to 120A) and ensures minimal voltage drop.

12 AWG:

Connects the PDH to high-power devices like motor controllers (e.g., Neos or Kraken motors).
Handles medium to high current. Run on all 40A breaker protected circuits.

18 AWG

20A breaker protected circuits
20A fuse protected circuit
Between the PDP dedicated terminals and the VRM/RPM or PCM/PH
Compressor outputs from the PCM/PH
Between the PDH and PCM/PH

Automatic (Auto) Wire Strippers

Autostrippers offer several advantages over manual wire strippers, making them particularly useful in FRC robotics and other applications where efficiency, precision, and ease of use are crucial.

Advantages to Auto Wire Strippers include:

Ease of Use: Auto wire strippers require less manual effort compared to traditional wire strippers. Simply place the wire in the stripping jaws, squeeze the handle, and the tool automatically removes the insulation.

Time Efficiency: They are faster than manual strippers, making them ideal for projects with extensive wiring. This speed is especially valuable during tight build schedules in robotics competitions.

Adjustable for Wire Sizes: Most auto wire strippers automatically adjust to different wire sizes (within their range), eliminating the need to manually select the correct gauge slot. This flexibility reduces setup time.

Consistent Results: Auto wire strippers produce uniform results, ensuring that each wire is stripped to the same length without damaging the conductor. This consistency improves the quality of electrical connections.

Manual Wire Strippers

Manual Strippers are tools designed to remove the insulation or outer coating from electrical wires, exposing the conductive core for connections like soldering, crimping, or attaching to terminals.

Features of Wire Strippers:

Adjustable Gauges:
Wire strippers often have multiple slots marked with different wire gauges (e.g., 10 AWG, 12 AWG, etc.) to match the size of the wire being stripped.
Cutting Blades:
Some wire strippers include blades for cutting wires to length.
Crimping Functions:
Many wire strippers also include built-in crimpers for applying connectors or terminals.
Spring-Loaded Handles:
A spring mechanism makes them easy to operate, especially when working on multiple wires.

How to Use a Wire Stripper:

Select the Right Gauge Slot: Match the wire gauge to the appropriate slot on the wire stripper.

Grip the Wire: Place the wire in the correct slot, with enough insulation inside to strip off the desired length (usually about ¼–½ inch).

Squeeze and Pull: Squeeze the handles to cut through the insulation, then pull gently to remove it, exposing the conductor.

Inspect the Wire: Ensure no wire strands are cut or damaged. If any strands are missing, re-strip the wire using a more careful technique.

Wire Snips

Snips

Wire snips, also known as diagonal cutters or wire cutters, are versatile tools that are essential in robotics and other electrical or mechanical applications. Their primary function is to cut wires, but they are also commonly used to cut zip ties due to their sharp, angled blades and precise cutting capability.

Wire snips are designed to cleanly cut through various types of wires, including:

Electrical wires (e.g., copper, aluminum).
Small-diameter cables and wires used in FRC robotics, such as motor leads or sensor wires.

Wire snips are often used to trim excess length from zip ties after securing wires or components.

- The precision cutting of wire snips ensures a clean cut close to the locking head of the zip tie, minimizing sharp edges that could cause injury or snagging.
- Their small, ergonomic design allows for easy access to tight spaces, where zip ties are often used to secure cables or components on robots.
- Cut zip ties flush with the locking head to prevent sharp edges that can cause injuries or damage components.
- Use caution to avoid accidentally cutting wires bundled alongside zip ties.