DIY Cables - what's best practice re electrostatic shielding?

bbill335

How far back do I cut that black layer between the shield and the inner insulation? I remember reading that it's *partially* conductive but I can't find where I might have seen that.

Sporky

I usually cut it back far enough that it can't possibly touch the tip connection. How far that is varies depending on what plugs you're using.

The safe bet is to cut it back to the shield.

robinbowes

I usually run a wire stripper blade lightly around it as far back as possible and pull it off. If that fails, I just pick it off with my finger nail back to the shield.

R.

bbill335

Thank you dudes 

normula1

I just tear it with a fingernail as far down as it can go do there's no possibility of it shorting to yhe hot pin.

ICBM

As above - just far enough that it can't touch the hot is fine, but back to the main shield is best.

It is partially conductive - if it contacts the hot it won't kill the signal completely, but you will get a quiet, dull, muffled sound - how badly depends on the output impedance of what it's connected to.

Sporky

With some cable and plugs I find leaving a bit more of it helps with stability while assembling and soldering.