Taking the jacket off is the first step of every medium voltage cable prep, and Ripley UtilityTool makes a tool for each kind of job. Some slit large cable by hand. Some run on a drill. Others are built for URD jackets or overhead tap wire. This guide sorts them by cable and job. For the insulation and semi-con steps, see our Ripley cable stripper guide.
| Job | Tool | Cable size |
|---|---|---|
| Slit the jacket on large cable, end or mid-span | US15 | 0.39 to 2.36 in OD at the end, 0.39 to 1.96 in mid-span |
| Same, with more jacket materials | US15 PRO | 0.39 to 2.36 in OD |
| Slit the jacket on the largest cable | US15 PRO MAX | 1.50 to 3.15 in OD |
| Lift a scored jacket off the neutrals | Jacket Lift Tool | End access |
| Drill-powered jacket removal | US16 | Up to 1.5 in OD |
| Drill-powered, larger MV cable | US16 MAX | Up to 2.625 in OD |
| Adjustable two-handle end stripper, primary distribution | WS 58 | 0.625 to 1.625 in OD |
| URD polyethylene encapsulated jacket | WS 61 | #2 AWG to 1000 kcmil, up to 2.25 in OD |
| Primary tap and riser wire | WS-MSES | #2 to #6 |
The US15 family slits the jacket by hand on large power, telecom and fiber cable. Each tool cuts radial, spiral or longitudinal, and the blade depth adjusts in 0.002 in (0.05 mm) steps with an inch or metric scale. The blade is recessed to protect the user and the blade, and it is replaceable. All three are impact-resistant polymer, 5.125 in long and 8.82 oz, and made in the USA.
| US15 | US15 PRO | US15 PRO MAX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable OD | 0.39 to 2.36 in (end), 0.39 to 1.96 in (mid-span) | 0.39 to 2.36 in | 1.50 to 3.15 in |
| Max blade depth | 0.177 in (4.5 mm) | 0.216 in (5.5 mm) | 0.216 in (5.5 mm) |
| Jacket materials | PE, PVC, rubber, HDPE | PE, XLPE, PVC, EPR, silicone rubber, EPDM, TGGT, Sealpic | PE, XLPE, PVC, EPR, silicone rubber, EPDM, TGGT, Sealpic |
| Replacement blade | US15-7500 | US15-7501 | US15-7501 |
Choose the US15 PRO when your jacket is XLPE, EPR or one of the other materials the US15 does not list. Choose the PRO MAX when the cable is over 2.36 in OD.
After you score the jacket, the Jacket Lift Tool breaks the last connection so the jacket comes off over the concentric neutral wires. Ripley made it to go with the US15 series. It has a prying head and two roll pins, and it starts the jacket off from the neutrals without harming the neutrals or the technician. It is 4.5 in long and made in the USA.
The US16 does the same job with a powered speed drill. You feed the cable through a bushing and the tool cuts the jacket and pulls itself along the cable. Micro-indexing blade depth control helps protect the shielding. The US16 handles cable up to 1.5 in OD. The US16 MAX handles cable up to 2.625 in OD, including MV cable up to 1000 kcmil at 35 kV. Bushings must match the cable OD, and the MAX bushings are sold separately. See our US16 guide for bushing sizing, and the US16 series bushings in our store.
These are purpose-built stripper bodies for specific cable.
The US15 PRO has a deeper blade (0.216 in against 0.177 in) and lists more jacket materials, including XLPE, EPR, silicone rubber and EPDM.
The US15 PRO MAX slits cable from 1.50 to 3.15 in OD. For drill operated stripping, the US16 MAX handles up to 2.625 in OD.
It breaks the last connection of a scored jacket so you can remove it over the concentric neutrals. It is made for use with the US15 series.
Ripley says they run on a powered speed drill but does not list torque, speed or chuck size. Contact us if you want to confirm your crew's drill.
The WS 61 removes tough polyethylene encapsulated jackets and is made to protect the concentric neutrals.
No. They remove the jacket only. Ripley makes separate cable cutters for conductors.
Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply Company carry the Ripley UtilityTool line. Browse the Ripley jacket removal tools or all Ripley tools in our store, or contact Powertech Associates with your cable type and size and we will match the tool.
Last updated: November 2026.
