• SIGNA™ Hero 3.0T Service Methods
  • 5852800-8EN Revision 1.0
  • Object ID: 00000018WIA30084C20GYZ
  • Topic ID: id_2008416 Version: 2.14
  • Date: Jan 11, 2021 3:48:47 PM

Stripping gradient cables

This section provides instructions for exposing the cable braid and cutting the cables to length.

About this task

Procedure

  1. Install the large hook onto the Greenlee 1903 wire stripper supplied in the GEHC Gradient Cable Tool Kit.
    1. While pushing up on the small hook, push the stem of the large hook into the hook release until a you hear a click.
    2. Remove the small hook.
    3. Put the large hook into the stripper until you hear a click.
    Figure 1. Installing a large hook
    1Push up on small hook
    2Hook release, stem of large hook
    Note: Give some slack to the cables before cutting to length. Slack is necessary for re-termination, if required.
  2. Put the stripper at the end with the blade next to the outer jacket. Rotate the collar to adjust the blade depth to match the thickness of the outer insulation, making sure the blade will not cut into the braid layer.
    Figure 2. Adjusting blade depth
    1Blade
    2Outer insulation
  3. Turn the blade to the -- mark. Lift the spring-loaded hook and put the stripper on the desired position.
  4. Turn the stripper clockwise around the outer jacket.
    Important: If the blade adjustment is done with the stripper blade in contact with the jacket, the blade may be damaged.
    Figure 3. Turning the stripper
    1Rotate the tool around the jacket
    2Rotate the blade 90⁰
    3Cut the jacket lengthwise
  5. Pull back on the handle until the blade is clear of the jacket or remove the stripper from the cable.
  6. With the blade clear of the jacket, rotate the blade 90⁰ (turn the handle from -- mark to | mark). Let the blade re-enter the material and cut the jacket lengthwise to the end of the cable.
  7. Remove the outer jacket.
  8. Remove the foil shield to expose the braid shield.
    Figure 4. Foil shield and braid shield
    1Foil shield
    2Braid shield
  9. Carefully cut the braid shield using a diagonal head semi-flush or shear wire cutter. Do not use a knife as this may cut into the wires.
    Figure 5. Cutting the braid shield
  10. Remove the white gradient cable packing to the end of the braided shield.
    Figure 6. Cable packing
  11. Wrap electrical tape around the end of the braid to keep the braid from unraveling.
    Figure 7. Wrapping braid in tape
  12. Measure the excess cut cable. Tell the GE field engineer of the length of the excess cut cable. The data will be used for future gradient cable design.
  13. Discard the remaining cable.
  14. Put the correct lug next to each cable and mark the bellmouth depth to identify how much insulation to remove on each cable.
    Note: Lug color/type will be different depending on the cable thickness and application.
    Figure 8. Identifying length
  15. On the Greenlee 1903 wire stripper, replace the large hook, used on the outer jacket, with the small hook.
    Figure 9. Setting blade depth
  16. Put the stripper over the end of the cable.
  17. Identify the correct blade depth to avoid gradient cable strand damage. Turn the silver blade head in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to decrease or increase the top blade cutting depth.
    Important: Do not cut into the cable. Cut or damaged cable must be replaced.
  18. Turn the blade to the -- mark. Lift the spring-loaded hook and put the stripper on the desired location. Turn the tool clockwise once around the cable until the insulation is sufficiently penetrated.
    Figure 10. Tool position
    Note: Do not touch the wire strands with the blade.
  19. Pull back on the handle until the blade is clear of the jacket or remove the stripper from the cable.
    Figure 11. Removing the insulation
  20. With the blade clear of the jacket, rotate the blade 90⁰ (turn the handle from -- mark to | mark). Allow the blade to re-enter the material and cut the jacket lengthwise to the end of the cable.