Pulling wire in conduit

[mbohuntr]

I have a 50' fish tape. If the pull is longer than that I call an electrician and let him fight with it!!

Tissue stuffed sandwich bag, string, and a shop vac...

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

When I pulled 2/0 for my barn my power puller was the winch on mt quad. It worked well but that big wire is still a PITA for the non-professional without all the experience and specialized tools.

 

[grsthegreat]

I gave up pulling wires years ago. I lay out wire and slide conduit over it as i instsll the pipe. Waaayyyyyy easier.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Used wire lube to pull the wire. The PIA is that size wire and especially 3 twisted together is like wrestling with a elephant trunk. But add in a hot humid day, mosquitos, ants, 2 snakes, muddy ground from an ungodly amount of rain we've had here, roots the size of your arm and people (neighbors mainly) stopping by but not offering to help.

Someone asked if I was missing a wire, no with electric from the rural coop here its 2 hot wires and a neutral.

 

[Deere Dude]

On a 175 foot conduit, you would first suck a mouse thru the conduit with a string attached, by using a vacuum cleaner on the far end. then use the string to pull a mule tape thru, then attach the cable, and either pull by hand, (would be ok for this length with lube) or a power puller for much longer runs.

definitions: Mouse.. is a type of sponge sized to fit conduits with a loop of wire run thru it to attach string. ( a plastic bag can work in a pinch)

Mule tape is a flat type of nylon or dacron "rope" designed for pulling. ordinary polypropylene rope can work too.

Use pulling lubricant..it would have been an easy job if the OP had done so.

On longer more difficult conduit runs, you can use a jet line.. a type of CO2 powered plug that is "shot" thru the conduit. I have never used one, and I have pulled over 400 feet, but they are needed at times.

fish tapes are usually used on conduit runs under 90 feet, sometimes more, but it gets "dicey" run the "fish tape" to the other side, and tie on the cable on in tapering layers to make a gradual transition. using 3M black plastic electrical tape. (yes the tape brand matters) make your pull.

Thanks koua, That makes sense. I worked with electricians but never paid attention when they were doing longer runs.

 

[grsthegreat]

The twisted URD wires you used are designed for direct burial. They really suck when going in conduit. You should have use XHHW style individual wires. Way easier to pull and designed for conduit use.

Not sure about your area, but here all panels after the utility meter has to have 4 wire runs (single phase). The 4th being a ground. NEC rules since 2008 also require a system bonding jumper (a ground) in all runs between buildings.

 

[s219]

I had to pull a bundle with three #0 and one #1 wires (all individual XHHW) through conduit. Only about 50', but had elbows on each end. Used a lot of lubricant. Once the wire got started, I found it was easier to stand at the feeding end and push the wire through -- it was stiff enough that pushing worked wonderfully. I was real surprised by that. I think the lube made the difference. Was prepared to ask my wife for help, but once I found out how easy it pushed, it was a one-man project. I would not attempt to push smaller more flexible wire, as it would surely bunch up and get damaged, but the heaver stiffer wire is easily as stiff as a fish tape.

 

[EddieWalker]

I never pull wire. You go to all the work of digging the trench, installing the conduit, filling the trench and then work so hard on getting the wire through the conduit. It's just so much easier to dig the trench, unroll the wire next to the trench, slide the conduit over the wire and bury it once all the conduit is is in place.

Eddie

 

[davesl708]

Also, pull an extra pull chord through and leave it in the conduit for the next time you need to pull a line through.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You need two people who work well together and I guess have done this before. One pushing makes a world of difference. Clean cable and conduit also help a lot.