Ribbon cable disassembly

[DeathCrush]

Greetings all. Alright I have question. How does one go about disassembling the connectors on a ribbon cable? What I mean is how do you take apart the plastic clamps on either end of the cable? I'm working on a project right now and am having difficulty figuring it out. Thanks.

[Crimson Sky]

Most ribbon cables have clamps, some are heat-sealed. Basic floppy and IDE have like you said, the square plastic hooks on both ends. Just lift them off one at a time with a small flat tool. There will be some resistance when you start separating the two halves due to the sharp contact teeth that are biting into the ribbon. :)

If its a gray ribbon, it will most likely have a red stripe (black cables have a white one) on one side of the cable. This is pin 1--very important that you put the connector back properly. The connector will have a small bump or arrow indicating pin 1 as well.

[DeathCrush]

Awesome thanks, i got it :D

[xmastree]

Be careful reassembling them too. Assuming you don't have the correct tool, next best thing is a vice. Failing that, it can be done with pliers, but you need to work your way along and don't try to do it all at once. Slowly is the key.

Incidentally, you can fit the plugs either way up, just make sure that the red stripe lines up with the arrow.