Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating twisted wires, such as switching cables, has a rotatably driven central shaft to which a cable to be untwisted is co-rotatably mounted so that the cable ends are free. The cable is rotated inside of a stationary protective housing, having paddles movably mounted in the interior of the housing to momentarily engage the free cable ends as the cable rotates. The wire ends are thus diverted from the rotating plane at least twice per revolution, and are thereby stimulated to oscillate such that untwisting results. The angle of inclination of the paddles is selectively adjustable to adapt to cables of various numbers of twisted pairs and differing wire gauges.