Cable shears

It can be tricky to cut a strong or rigid cable with classic scissors, pliers or a utility knife. Save yourself the trouble and grab a high-quality and inexpensive cable cutter from the eibabo® shop. In the following article we describe the different models and support you in your purchase decision.

With a good pair of cable cutters, you can cut your wires and cables to the right size. Depending on the requirements and thickness of the cable, different cable cutters are used. While in the do-it-yourself sector scissors are often sufficient for cables with a diameter of up to 16 mm, professionals in the industrial sector need tools with a higher cutting capacity. Here cables can have a diameter of 50 mm and more. Especially if you have a lot to do with electrical installations professionally, the use of good cable cutters is essential. This ensures a precise cut without squeezing the veins. Hydraulic cordless cable cutters are also available in the eibabo® shop for particularly demanding tasks. The high-quality tools are mainly designed for copper and aluminum cables. Please note that not every pair of scissors is suitable for cutting steel and steel wire.

What do I use cable cutters for?

Cable shears (also wire cutters) are used when electrical wires and cables need to be cut cleanly. Depending on the task, the insulation or the wire should not be damaged. Cable cutters are suitable for use in new installations as well as for maintenance work and repairs to electrical installations.

Source: eibabo®, Klauke K 106/2 cable shears Image: Klauke K 106/2 cable shears

What are the advantages of a cable cutter?

Cable cutters are designed to properly cut wire or cable. It is important to avoid or minimize damage to the insulation or the inner conductor of a wire. A clean cut makes further work easier and increases the subsequent quality of an electrical connection. If unsuitable tools are used, there is a risk of damage, cracks and cuts in the insulation as well as unclean cut edges. This can affect the reliability of an insulation. If the inner conductor is damaged, its conductivity may be disrupted or the strength of a connection cannot be guaranteed. Cable shears therefore have specially shaped cutting jaws, which are optimized for the respective task. This largely prevents slipping or accidental damage during the cut.

In addition, manufacturers are beginning to expand the functionality of the cable shears for other electrical installation applications. The tools are not only used for cutting, but also for stripping or crimping ferrules. A multi-tool increases productivity and saves weight in the tool belt.

With which core cross-sections or cable strengths do cable cutters work?

Each cable cutter is designed for use within a specific material thickness range. Some are designed in such a way that they can be used particularly well for fine-wire cables. Others are optimized for solid conductors. In the eibabo® shop you can get cable cutters that can process cable diameters of over 100 mm or cable cross-sections of over 3,000 mm².

TIP:

Pay attention to the type of conductor material that cable snips or wire cutters are designed for.

A wire is not always made of copper or aluminum. There are suitable tools for cutting special conductor materials. Please refer to the product description or the data sheet for the tool.

How do the cable cutters differ from each other?

Cable shears and wire cutters in our range are divided into:

hand tools
Hand tools with ratchet function
battery powered hydraulic tools

Each of these types differs significantly from the others and offers individual advantages. The simplest models are the classic hand tools. Hand-operated cable shears cut cables, lines and wires by squeezing the cutting jaws once. Ratcheting models cut through thicker cables. If it is difficult or impossible to separate with one hand, you may have to start several times. Ratchet tools are ideal for this. The cutting blade remains in position after the first 'stroke' and holds the uncut cable. The handle opens again and you can start the second (or third...) 'stroke' until the material is severed. The battery-powered hydraulic tools are used for particularly demanding tasks. These devices generate enormous force and can also cut through cables with steel wire sheathing, for example. Their area of application is in the professional, industrial environment. Hydraulic support is usually not required for domestic use.

What are the advantages of ratchet shears?

Whether a cable cutter with a ratchet is advantageous for you depends on your individual requirements. Are you a hobbyist who occasionally cuts through standard cables in your free time? Then you probably don't need ratcheting shears. However, if you have to work regularly with a lot of strong cables for work or other reasons, using a cable cutter with a ratchet can offer some advantages. The biggest advantage lies in the fact that it makes work easier when there are many cuts through solid cables or wires. Less effort is required and you don't get tired as quickly. A cable cutter with a ratchet also ensures a clean cut, as it can cut through massive cross-sections and diameters without readjustment. Attempting to cut very thick cables with a pair of simple cable cutters would likely require multiple attempts. This would result in damage to the insulation and the inner conductors.

Notice:

Ratchet shears are not designed for very thin cables and wires. Due to the more complex cutting technology, the weight is slightly higher and handling is more cumbersome than with simple hand tools.

In these cases, we recommend using a simple hand tool. Experience has shown that this works faster and more precisely.

How do I choose the right cable shears?

The selection of the optimal cable shears is mainly influenced by two things - the type of material to be cut and its thickness. There are cable cutters that process smaller diameters. Others are better suited for larger diameters. Once you have decided on a material thickness, choose a simple model, a corresponding tool with a ratchet function or a multi-function tool.

TIP:

Daily use of a cable cutter inevitably leads to wear and tear. In order not to have to buy a completely new tool, there are replacement cutting heads for some models.

With this information, you should be able to choose a tool that suits your needs.

Who makes the best cable cutters?

The market leaders in the field of cable cutting technology include, for example, Cimco, Klauke and Knipex. But ABB, Erico, Intercable, Phoenix, WAGO, Weidmüller and Wiha also produce high-quality tools. You can find cable cutters from these manufacturers in this catalog from the eibabo® shop at top conditions.