Help with cutting 50 amp cord

[DandS]

Does anyone have suggestions or know what the best way to cut 50 amp wire (6-4) is ? Want to wire in surge protector and cutting into the cord looks daunting. I have done it with 30 amp, but this stuff is much thicker.

[Avalondanes]

It is not a problem. If you do not have cable cutters then cut the outer insulation with a knife or razor, then cut each wire one at a time with dykes or snips.

Richard

[Paul R. Haller]

There are 4 wires in a 50 amp cord. 2 legs of 110, usually black and red, one neutral usually white, and one ground usually green or bare. The ground may also be of a smaller gauge wire then the others. I found that a large pair of wire cutters work fine or while disconnected use a hack saw on it. After getting it apart strip back the outer jacket and any material spacers within, and reveal the individual wires. Trim them, once separated, with a lineman pliers or a pair of dykes. It's basically the same as a 30 amp cord but with larger gauge wires and more of them.
-Paul R. Haller-

[Luv2go]

I used a utility knife to cut through the outer jacket, then electricians pliers to cut the actual wires. I had to cut the outer jacket back anyway to strip the individual wires this seemed to be the best way.

Good luck!
Stewart

[Olive]

I used a hacksaw once to cut it. Made the job quick and easy.

[RustyJC]

A hacksaw will do it, but if you have a cutoff wheel, it would do it even faster.

Rusty

[DandS]

Thanks for all the great info. I gained some confidence with all your replies. Will have at it this week-end.

[Roadrunner]

Ifth power chord is real flexible, it has fine strands of wire. A sharp pair of PCV cutters works great. The cutters will cut extremely clean. However, they may be of not further use in cutting PVC well. I bought a cheap pair at a flea market and use them for cutting welders cable and coax cables. Once they dull, I throw them away and get another pair.

[RV Wizard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadrunner Ifth power chord is real flexible, it has fine strands of wire. A sharp pair of PCV cutters works great. The cutters will cut extremely clean. However, they may be of not further use in cutting PVC well. I bought a cheap pair at a flea market and use them for cutting welders cable and coax cables. Once they dull, I throw them away and get another pair.

Jim, that is a great tip for those that do not do this everyday! How have you guys been doing? I hope to see you again in the future.

[NeilV]

A word of caution on using cutoffs or abasives to cut multiconductor power cords.

The copper powder created by their use if not pristinely cleaned up can cause partial shorts between the conductors so that the insulation heats up and can result in a fire.

You really don't want your cord insulation contaminated with chips and specks of any type of conductive material.

[RustyJC]

Neil,

After the cutoff wheel is used, the outer insulation is cut back and the insulation on each conductor is stripped back as well for termination. As such, the area affected during the cutoff isn't left "as is".

Rusty

[wa8yxm]

While I don't know the best way, I used a hack saw.

A power hack saw (Such as a Saws All or a Black & Decker Navigator with a metal cutting blade) works well too.

[EngineerMike]

My suggestion- unplug the cable before cutting.

[NeilV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Neil, After the cutoff wheel is used, the outer insulation is cut back and the insulation on each conductor is stripped back as well for termination. As such, the area affected during the cutoff isn't left "as is". Rusty

Sorry Rusty but my dad a WWII Army Wire Cheif with a Masters in Electrical Engineer from MIT Class of 27 always said it was not a good thing to do. Gotta go with the Cheif on this one.