Multi-Cable Stripping Tool Instructions

Below you can find instructions for using our Multi-Cable Stripping Tool, including how to assemble the tool and how to use the tool in conjunction with our RF Compression Connectors.

How to Use the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

Cable Preparation and Connector Installation Instructions

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

The PLNST-7020, (Multi-Cable Stripping Tool), is a specially designed cable preparation tool for Gamma Electronics 1/2″ air core coax cable. This tool will trim the cable to proper conductor and jacket preparation lengths for Gamma Electronics certified connectors.

Instructions

These instructions on how to utilize the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool have been broken into 3 parts:

1 – Cutting the Cable

2 – Stripping the Cable with the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

3 – Attaching the Connector to the Stripped Cable

These instructions utilize the equipment listed in the equipment section below.

Equipment

  • 1 (one) Gamma plenum connector (NM-50PLN, NF-50PLN, 4310M-50PLN, 4310F-50PLM)
  • 1 (one) ½” coaxial cable (Andrew HL4PV-50 or AL4RPV-50, RFS ICA12-50JPL, Gamma PLN-(CU, AL)-50, STF50-LSZH-1/2, or Commscope LDF4-50A)
  • 1 (one) cable cutting tool (Gamma cutters, hacksaw, or bandsaw)
  • 1 (one) Gamma plenum cable stripping tool (P/N: PLNST-7020) with three bushings and Allen keys
  • 1 (one) pair of small diagonal wire cutters
  • 1 (one) tube cutter (optional)
  • Razor blade or utility knife

Condensed Instructions

Part 1 – Cutting the Cable

The most critical step to successful connector installation is a proper cut of the cable which has four characteristics, (listed below). The vast majority of installation failures are caused by an improper cut.

1. Cut the Cable in a “Valley” of the Shield Corrugation

This is shown in Figure 1.  The “valley” refers to a lower point in the shield corrugation.  This step is critical because the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool is designed to stop cutting the cable shield when the center conductor hits the “stop” inside of the stripping tool.  When the cut is done correctly, it also results in the proper “flair” on the final shield cut.

Valley of Coax Cable Corrugation

2. The Cut is Square from a Side View

This means the cut surface is as close to a 90° from the length, as shown in Figure 2. This is usually not a problem when using Gamma cutters or a bandsaw, but can be a problem in the case of a hacksaw where the blade may wander. It is important to securely mount the cable while cutting and only use sharp blades.

Square Cut on Coax Cable

3. The Cut is Round When Viewing the Cut from an End View

If you look straight into the end of the cable, the cut in the cable shield should look almost like a perfect circle, as shown in Figure 3.  On occasion, some cutting tools can crush or deform the cable during cutting, especially if the blades are dull. A proper cut can be achieved by rotating the cut while gently applying pressure, and using sharp blades.  In these scenarios, a tube cutter can prove very effective, especially when working with aluminum shielded cables.

4. The Center Conductor is Centered within the Cable

The cause of this is similar to #3 above. When the center conductor is out-of-center, it will wander off-axis during the stripping procedure.

Cut Coax Cable from End

Part 2 – Stripping the Cable with the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

1. Select the Appropriate Bushing

Select the Appropriate Bushing from the “Cable Applicable Bushings” table below.  The bushing in the Gamma stripping tool can be changed out by loosening screw A in Figure 4 below. The bushing keeps the cable centered inside the stripping tool.

Bushings for the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool
Cable Applicable Bushings

Cable Brand (Type, Shield Material)

Part Number

Bushing

RFS (Plenum, Copper)

RFSICA12-50JPL

650

Commscope (Plenum, Copper)

HL4RPV-50

620

Commscope (Plenum, Aluminum)

AL4RPV-50

630

Gamma (Plenum, Copper)

PLN-CU-50

650

Gamma (Plenum, Aluminum)

PLN-AL-50

650

Gamma (Annular, Copper)

STF50-LSZH-1/2

630

Commscope (Annular, Copper)

LDF4-50A

630

Bushing Installation on the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

2.  Select the Appropriate Mounting Atachment

The stripping tool can be operated by hand, (or manual mode), with use of the “T-Handle”, or it can be inserted into a drill. In the case of manual mode, the T-handle needs to be attached by using set screw “B” in Figure 5, which can be loosened or tightened with the help of one of the included allen wrenches. In the case of drill mode, the T-handle needs to be removed so that the mandrel can be inserted into the drill as shown in Figure 5.

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool Handle Options

3.  Hold the Cable Firmly and Insert it into the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

Hold the cable firmly and insert it into the Multi-Cable Stripping Tool, up to the jacket stripping blade.

Coax Cable inserted into Stripping Tool

4. Rotate the Tool Clockwise at a Slow RPM

Rotate the tool clockwise at a slow RPM, applying gentle forward pressure.

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool rotating

5.  Rotate Until the Center Conductor Reaches the Tool’s Internal “Stop”

When the center conductor reaches the internal “Stop” the cable strip is complete.

6.  Stop the Rotation and Extract the Cable

Stop the rotation and extract the cable.  A properly stripped cable is shown in Figure 6.

Stripped Coaxial Cable

7.  (Optional) Re-position the Cable’s Internal Dielectric

(Optional) Re-position the cable’s internal dielectric by inserting the stripped cable into the recess, (C), in the back of the tool as shown in Figure 7. This step is not usually necessary.

Reposition a Coax Cable's Internal Dielectric

8.  Remove/Clean Up Excessive Dielectric Spacer Material

If there is excessive dielectric spacer material protruding out the end of the cut cable, a pair of small diagonal cutters can be used to remove it as shown in Figure 8. Remnants of cable outer sheath rubber can be removed with a razor blade or utility knife. 

Remove Excess Dielectric Spacer Material

9.  Check that the Cable is Cut & Stripped Properly

The properly stripped cable should feature a center conductor that is flat and square on the end with a beveled (chamfered) rim. There should be a shield corrugation “valley” immediately in front of the stripped sheath edge. See Figure 9 below. 

Correctly Cut & Stripped Coaxial Cable Diagram

Part 3 – Attaching the Connector to the Stripped Cable

1. Install O-Ring

Remove the silicone o-ring from the connector package and slide it over the end of the cable and into the corrugation “valley” immediately in front of the stripped outer sheath as shown in Figure 10.

O-Ring Installation on Coax Cable

2. Install Bottom Half of Connector

Separate the two halves of the connector and slide the bottom half over the end of the cable with the threads toward cable end. Pull, (while twisting), as far as possible away from the end of the cable until the teeth lock into the first valley (from the end) of the shield corrugation. The end of the connector should be flush with the edge of the shield as shown in Figure 11.

RF Compression Connector Partially Installed on Coaxial Cable

3. Install Upper Half of Connector

Slide the upper half of the connector over the cable center conductor and engage the threads. Hand-tighten the two halves of the connector and use a torque wrench to tighten the two halves of the connector to a target torque of 18 Newton-meters (160 inch-lbs) as shown in Figure 12.

4.  Installation is Complete

The RF Compression Connector installation is now complete.

RF Compression Connector Fully Installed on Coaxial Cable

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool

RF Compression Connectors

Multi-Cable Stripping Tool