When stripping insulation from a solid conductor for terminal connection, care should be taken to:

When stripping insulation from a solid conductor for terminal connection, care should be taken to:

• A. Bend the conductor sharply
• B. Remove all oxide layer
• C. Avoid nicking the conductor and ensure clean, square cut
• D. Use pliers to twist the end into a point

Answer: (C)

When preparing a solid conductor for a terminal, the focus is on preserving the conductor’s integrity at the stripped end and giving the terminal a flat, clean surface to make contact with. Avoiding nicks prevents creating weak spots that can crack or fail under vibration, heat, or mechanical load, which protects the reliability of the electrical connection. A clean, square cut ensures the full cross‑section of the conductor is seated firmly in the terminal, maximizing contact area and preventing gaps or insulation from being trapped under the clamp that could cause poor conduction or overheating. Bending sharply can damage the conductor, removing oxide isn’t the primary goal and can risk unnecessary material loss, and twisting the end into a point creates a stress riser and can interfere with proper seating in the terminal. The best practice is to keep the end free of nicks and cut square.

When preparing a solid conductor for a terminal, the focus is on preserving the conductor’s integrity at the stripped end and giving the terminal a flat, clean surface to make contact with. Avoiding nicks prevents creating weak spots that can crack or fail under vibration, heat, or mechanical load, which protects the reliability of the electrical connection. A clean, square cut ensures the full cross‑section of the conductor is seated firmly in the terminal, maximizing contact area and preventing gaps or insulation from being trapped under the clamp that could cause poor conduction or overheating. Bending sharply can damage the conductor, removing oxide isn’t the primary goal and can risk unnecessary material loss, and twisting the end into a point creates a stress riser and can interfere with proper seating in the terminal. The best practice is to keep the end free of nicks and cut square.