Strip Wire Like You Mean It
The fastest way to ruin a connection is to nick the copper while stripping. Use a wire stripper that matches your conductor gauge, insert the wire until it stops, squeeze once, and pull the insulation off in a single motion. If you see any damage to the strands, trim the end and restart. A clean, intact conductor seats fully in the terminal and stays tight.
This is the kind of practical, code-conscious prep you’ll find throughout the Zero to Electrician Playbook — real techniques, no theory-heavy fluff.