Southwire recently introduced the Southwire Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter for copper and aluminum cables up to 600 Kcmil. This cutter features a quick release lever that opens at any time during operation, a two-step ratcheting mechanism, molded grip, and replaceable, hardened steel blades.
Our Take
We’ve said it before and it bears repeating – if there’s an inviolable truth of electrical installation, it’s that wires need cuttin’. For most residential installations, Pros will certainly find diagonal cutting pliers or side cutters sufficient. But as the size of the service grows as it does with commercial installations, so does wire diameter and the need for more mechanical advantage to make the cut.
Southwire’s introduction of its 750 Kcmil ratcheting cable cutter’s little brother gives electricians who deal with 600 Kcmil and smaller diameters a more compact option (and presumably less expensive one, although that’s forthcoming). If you deal with a lot of heavy gauge wire, then you’d probably opt for a battery-powered cable cutter, but for occasional use, a tool like the Southwire Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter can get the job done at a fraction of the price.
Based on what we know about the 750 Kcmil version, this compact cutter certainly has the chops. The hardened steel blade combined with the leverage from the overmolded handles provide the force needed to sever the wire. No matter how hard the steel is, over time it will dull and the performance will suffer, so it’s comforting to know that the blades are easily replaceable. That makes the ratcheting cutter even more cost-effective as a battery-powered alternative.
How it Works
The ratchet accomplishes its task with a two-step mechanism that successively closes the jaws around the wire and makes a clean cut without crimping or deforming the end of the wire you’ll need to make connections. To make the job even easier, there’s a quick release lever that frees the jaws before the cut is done. You know how we love our power tools but we’re certainly not opposed to a great hand tool if it’s the right one for the job, and the Southwire Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter certainly has the appearance of one that is.
Southwire Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter Features
- Replaceable hardened steel cutting blades provide long lasting cutting of copper and aluminum wire
- Cuts up to 600 kcmil copper and 600 kcmil aluminum cables
- Two-step ratcheting mechanism for fewer strokes per cut
- Quick-release lever opens blade at any time during operation
- Molded grip for stability and leverage when making cuts
Southwire Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter Specifications
- Item Number: CCPR400S
- Height: 9.25 inches
- Width: 4 inches
- Depth: 2.25 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
