Below is a clear, practical, safe explanation of how to use medium-voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) cable strippers, including tool types, steps, precautions, and typical field practices.(MV ≈ 1–35 kV, HV ≈ 35 kV–220 kV+, depending on standard.

1. Why Special Strippers Are Needed

MV/HV cables have multiple critical layers:

1. Outer jacket
2. Copper wire/tape shield
3. Outer semicon (semiconductive screen)
4. XLPE/EPR insulation
5. Inner semicon
6. Conductor

MV/HV strippers are designed to remove each layer accurately without damaging insulation—because one scratch can cause partial discharge or failure.

2. Types of MV/HV Cable Strippers

1) Outer Jacket Stripper

• Rotary cutting tool
• Adjustable depth to prevent shield damage

Common brands: Ripley, Cembre,Haicable

2) Semicon (Screen) Removal Tool — the most important

• Precision depth-controlled blade
• Removes outer semicon smoothly in spiral strips
• Prevents insulation scoring

Features:

• Micrometer depth adjustment
• Spiral or straight cutting modes
• Length stop for consistent preparation

3) Insulation Stripper / Insulation Chamfer Tool

• Cuts and bevels XLPE/EPR
• Ensures clean transition for stress cones
• Adjustable for HV termination lengths

4) Conductor Stripper (if needed)

• For compacted or segmented conductors
• Ensures clean exposure for lugs or connectors

3. How to use MV/HV Cable Stripper

✅ Step 1 — Remove the Outer Jacket

Tool: Rotary jacket stripper How to use:

1. Set cut depth so blade only cuts the jacket
2. Make a circular cut
3. Make a longitudinal cut
4. Peel off jacket

Do NOT use a knife—risk of damaging copper shield.

✅ Step 2 — Remove Metallic Shield (Copper wires/tape)

Copper wire shield:

• Unwind or cut with pliers Copper tape:
• Unwrap manually

Keep the shielding length as specified in the termination kit.

✅ Step 3 — Strip the Outer Semicon Layer (Critical)

Tool: Semicon removal tool (precision stripper)

Usage steps:

1. Set the stripping length (often 20–35 mm for MV, 60–120 mm for HV)
2. Adjust blade depth with micrometer
3. Clamp tool around cable
4. Rotate in clockwise direction
5. Tool removes semicon in smooth spiral
6. Inspect insulation for:

Key rule: Never use a knife on semicon — damages insulation and causes partial discharge.

✅ Step 4 — Strip and Prepare XLPE/EPR Insulation

Tools:

• Insulation stripper
• Insulation chamfer tool

Usage:

1. Set required insulation removal length
2. Rotate tool to cut insulation without touching conductor
3. Use chamfer tool to bevel the insulation edge (~30° angle)

Purpose:

• Smooth stress control
• Prevent corona discharge

✅ Step 5 — Remove Inner Semicon (If required)

Some HV cables have removable inner semicon.

Tool:

• Precision inner semicon scraping tool
• Must remove only the semicon, not the conductor strands

✅ Step 6 — Strip Conductor (If needed)

Tool:

Ensure:

• Strands are not nicked
• End is round and ready for crimping