Figure 2-52.-Cable stripper.

burrs to prevent chafing of the cable. Kickpipes,

form a laced cable with breakoffs, carefully estimate

including the stuffing tube, should have a minimum

the length of the longest conductor. Then add

height of 9 inches and a maximum of 18 inches. If the

approximately 2 1/2 times its length, and mark this

height exceeds 12 inches, a brace is necessary to

position with friction tape. The extra cable length will

ensure rigid support. If the installation of kickpipes is

allow for mistakes in attaching terminal lugs and

required in nonwatertight decks, a conduit bushing

possible rerouting of the conductors inside the

may be used in place of the stuffing tube.

equipment. You now know the length of the cable and

can cut it.

When three or more cables pass through a deck in

a single group, riser boxes must be used to provide

STRIPPING CABLE.-- The cable armor maybe

protection against mechanical damage. Stuffing tubes

removed by using a cable stripper of the type shown

are mounted in the top of riser boxes required for

in figure 2-52. Care must be taken not to cut or

topside weather-deck applications. For cable passage

puncture the cable sheath where the sheath will contact

through watertight decks inside a vessel, the riser box

the rubber grommet of the nylon stuffing tube.

may cover the stuffing tubes if it is fitted with an

Next, remove the impervious sheath, starting a

access plate of expanded metal or perforated sheet

distance of at least 1 1/4 inch (or as necessary to fit the

metal. Stuffing tubes are not required with riser boxes

requirements of the nylon stuffing tube) from where

for cable passage through nonwatertight decks.

the armor terminates. Use the cable stripper for this

job. Do not take a deep cut because the conductor

Connecting Cable

insulation can be easily damaged. Flexing the cable

will help separate the sheath after the cut has been

When connecting a newly installed cable to a

made. Clean the paint from the surface of the

junction box or unit of IC equipment, the length of the

remaining impervious sheath exposed by the removal

cable must be carefully estimated to ensure a neat

of the armor. This paint is conducting. It is applied

installation (fig. 2-51). To do this, form the cable run

during manufacture of the cable and passes through

from the last cable support to the equipment by hand.

the armor onto the sheath. Once the sheath has been

Allow sufficient slack and radius of bend to permit

removed, the cable filler can be trimmed with a pair

repairs without renewal of the cable. Carefully

of diagonal cutters.

estimate where the armor on the cable will have to be

cut to fit the stuffing tube (or connector), and mark the

CABLE ENDS.-- When a cable is terminated in

location with a piece of friction tape. In addition to

an enclosed equipment through a metal stuffing tube,

serving as a marker, the tape will prevent unraveling

the cable jacket must be tapered and any cavities filled

and hold the armor in place during cutting operations.

with plastic sealer to prevent possible water transit in

Determine the length of the cable inside the

the event of flooding. The tapered section is then

equipment, using the friction tape as a starting point.

wrapped with synthetic resin tape, and the end of the

Whether the conductors go directly to a connection or

tape served with treated glass cord.

Figure 2-52.-Cable stripper.

2-47