Repair modular power supplies

Step 4 Salvaging the strain relief

Using a pin, seal-pick, or other similar tool, try to unstick the wire insulation from the strain relief, starting from the small end. It's not a big deal if you damage the insulation here as you will be cutting this section off later anyway. This may seem overly tedious, but it is worth it to make an old power supply new again. Don't give up too easily and you should be able to get it out. I use a small jewler's screwdriver for this process with dramatic success.

The strain relief is cast onto the cord at the factory, but it not normally glued. The two vinyl-rubbers partially vulcanize during this process, causing the adhesion. You will be breaking this bond, but it's not terribly necessary as you will see in later steps.

If despite your best efforts you cannot separate the cord from the strain relief, you can cut into it with a razor as shown. Try to cut along a spine where you may have the chance to glue it back together again. If at all possible, start from the large end first and you might be able to avoid some extra work.