Wiktor Wise
Electricians have several methods to pull wire through a conduit, including the fishing weight method, fish tape, or string. The fishing weight method involves tying a heavy fishing weight to the end of the wire using string or fishing wire, giving the weight a 2- to 3-inch lead in front of the wiring. The weight is then placed inside the conduit, and the wire is adjusted so it can move behind the weight. The weight is dropped, and gravity pulls the weight along. Fish tape is a long, flat metal wire wound inside a wheel-shaped spool, which is fed into the conduit and pushed through, unwinding as it goes. The type of conduit will determine the best method for pulling wire through it, and the process can be challenging for long or complex conduit paths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To house and protect electrical wires within a building or structure |
| Types | Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC), Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing (ENT), Flexible Metal Conduit (FMT), Liquid-tight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC) |
| Materials | Metal, Plastic, Galvanized Steel, Coated Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum |
| Applications | Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Outdoor, Indoor |
| Benefits | Protection, Safety, Durability, Ease of Installation, Cost-effectiveness, Flexibility, Corrosion Resistance, Fire Resistance |
| Considerations | Wall Thickness, Mechanical Stiffness, Material Cost, Installation Cost, Wiring Regulations, National Electrical Code (NEC), Local Code Requirements |
| Installation Steps | Chalk out wiring plan, Measure conduit length, Make bends, Attach fittings to wall, Secure conduit, Tape ends, Pull wires |
| Tools | Conduit Bender, Hacksaw, Screwdriver, Slip-joint Pliers, Fish Tape |
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What You'll Learn
Understand the different types of conduits
Electrical conduits are essential for wiring jobs, protecting electrical cables from damage in exposed areas. They are classified by wall thickness, mechanical stiffness, and material.
Conduits can be rigid or flexible and are typically made of metal or plastic. Metal conduits can be further divided into rigid metal conduits (RMC), intermediate metal conduits (IMC), and flexible metal conduits (FMT). RMCs are thick-walled threaded tubing typically made of stainless steel, coated steel, or aluminium. IMCs are similar but lighter than RMCs. FMTs are made from spirally constructed interlocking metal bands, allowing the conduit to bend easily for installation in walls or other structures.
Non-metal conduits are typically made of plastic. Electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT) is a flexible, plastic, corrugated tubing that is flame-retardant and moisture-resistant. It is less expensive than metal conduits but still capable of protecting wires and cables from abrasion and light damage.
Another type of conduit is electrical metallic tubing (EMT), which is commonly used instead of galvanized rigid conduit (GRC) as it is less costly and lighter. EMT is typically made of coated steel or aluminium and is available in various colours for easy system identification. EMT is strong, cheap, and easy to bend with a special tool, though it requires fittings and couplings to connect pieces together. EMT is generally used for indoor wiring in commercial and residential buildings, though it can be used outdoors with watertight industrial fittings.
Other types of conduits include HDPE, which is a durable, impact-resistant, and low-cost plastic conduit; liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), which has a sealed plastic coating to make it watertight and corrosion-resistant; and rigid PVC conduit, which is a low-cost material that protects wires from abrasion and light damage.
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Learn how to pull wire through a conduit
Pulling wire through an electrical conduit is a challenging task that often requires at least two people. Electrical conduits are tubes that protect and route electrical wires, and they can be hundreds of feet long. To pull wires through, you will need tools like a wire mouse, fish tape, string, or a fishing weight. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pull wire through a conduit:
Prepare the Wire and Conduit
Before beginning, ensure you have the necessary tools, including a lubricant, wire mouse or conduit piston, strong string or pull string, and a shop vacuum. Prepare the wire by stripping insulation from the end of each wire using wire strippers. Strip each wire a different amount to distinguish them. For example, if there are three wires, strip one about six inches, another about four inches, and the last one about two inches. Then, grab all the wires with linesman's pliers and twist their bare ends together to align their insulation.
Use a Lubricant
Apply a lubricant, such as a wire-pulling compound, to the wires to make it easier to slide them through the conduit. Bends and friction with other wires can make wire-pulling challenging, so the lubricant will help by coating the wire and making it slick. Apply more lubricant at the beginning of the pull, and less towards the end, as the interior of the conduit will become coated as you pull.
Use a Fish Tape or String Method
Fish tape is an electrician's tool with a long, flat metal wire wound inside a wheel-shaped spool. Feed one end of the fish tape, which has a hook, into the conduit. Stop feeding when the hook end emerges from the opposite end of the conduit. Bend the longest wire into a hook and loop it through the hook of the fish tape. Wrap the loop closed and secure it with electrical tape.
Alternatively, the string method works well for short, straight conduits. Tie a long, strong string to a long, thin, rigid rod. Push the rod into the conduit with the tied end first. Once the tied end emerges from the other end, tie the electrical wire to the loose end of the string. Pull the rod from the conduit's end, pulling the wire through.
Pull the Wire Through
With the fish tape method, apply lubricant to the tape and wires, if desired. Feed the wires into the conduit from the starting end. Have another person at the other end to help pull the wires through by pulling on the fish tape.
For long conduits, it may be helpful to use a shop vacuum to suck the rope or string through the conduit. This is not a one-person job, so ensure you have assistance. Cut the rope with some slack and attach it to the wire securely with high-quality electrical tape. Have one person push the wire into the conduit while two people pull on the rope at the other end.
Additional Tips
If you encounter resistance or the wire feels stuck, try using cable-pulling lubes, hot water and soap, or a combination of boiling water, soap, and air pressure to help loosen the wire. For long conduits, communication tools like walkie-talkies are essential. Patience is key to avoiding a broken wire.
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Using the fishing weight method
The fishing weight method is a technique used to guide wiring directly through an electric conduit. This method is ideal for longer conduits and those with complex twists and turns. It is important to note that this method does not work well with fixed, horizontal conduits.
Firstly, ensure you have a heavy and narrow fishing weight that can fit through the conduit. Then, tie the weight to the end of the wire using a string or fishing wire, leaving a lead of 2 to 3 inches. It is important to choose a weight that is thin enough to pass through the conduit but heavy enough to pull the lubricated wire. Lubricate the wire to reduce friction as it is pulled through the conduit.
Now, insert the fishing weight into the conduit and adjust the wire so that it can easily move behind the weight. Drop the weight down the conduit, allowing gravity to pull it down. If needed, tilt the conduit around bends or curves to guide the weight through. As the weight pulls the wire through, use gentle back-and-forth movements and steady pressure to help the wire move smoothly.
Once the wire has been pulled through the entire conduit, detach it from the fishing weight. Finally, trim any excess wire, strip the wire ends, and connect the cable to the appropriate electrical boxes, outlets, or termination points.
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Using fish tape
Fish tape is a stiff wire tool used by electricians to pull electric cable through walls, studs, floors, and conduits. It is available in lengths of 25, 50, 100, and 200 feet and is stored in a round plastic casing.
Prepare the Fish Tape
Before using the fish tape, ensure you are wearing safety glasses. The stiff metal wire can be dangerous if it unspools quickly. Open the casing and pull out 5 to 6 inches of fish tape. Do not unreel the entire length.
Feed the Fish Tape into the Conduit
Push the fish tape into the conduit, feeding it through until a foot or two of tape is exposed at the other end. If your conduit has severe bends, you may need to use lubrication to help the fish tape pass through without getting stuck.
Prepare the Electrical Cable
Rip the sheathing from the electrical cable to expose several inches of wire. For cables with four or more wires, cut the wires to staggered lengths to create a slimmer bundle.
Attach the Electrical Cable to the Fish Tape
Hold the wires together, aligning the insulation, and twist them together with pliers. Bend the longest wire to form a hook and attach it to the hooked end of the fish tape. Secure the connection with electrical tape to ensure the wires do not detach.
Pull the Electrical Cable through the Conduit
With a partner, pull the fish tape while the other feeds the wire through the conduit. Pull the wires in 2- to 3-foot intervals. If your conduit is vertical, you can use gravity to assist in pulling the wire through. Raise the conduit end higher than the wire, allowing gravity to push the wire through the conduit.
After Pulling the Wire
Once you have pulled the wire through the conduit, reel the fish tape back into its casing. To prevent rust, run the fish tape through a towel before storing it.
Note: If you encounter severe bends or existing wires in the conduit, you may need to use alternative methods, such as a vacuum and plastic bag technique or a sewer snake, to pull the wire through.
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The importance of conduit planning
Conduit planning is essential when it comes to electrical wiring, offering a range of benefits that ensure safety, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Firstly, planning is crucial to ensure compliance with safety regulations and codes. In all 50 states, the National Electrical Code (NEC) sets the benchmark for safe electrical design and installation. By consulting the NEC documentation and local inspectors, proper permits can be obtained, and specific requirements can be met. This is vital to mitigate risks associated with electrical power, such as wiring faults, electrical fires, or dangers to service personnel. Planning also allows for the consideration of wiring regulations, especially in hazardous areas, where specific types of conduits may be mandated.
Secondly, conduit planning facilitates the safe and simple management of wiring changes. With a well-planned conduit system, conductors can be withdrawn and replaced with minimal disruption. This adaptability is particularly advantageous in locations requiring frequent wiring updates. Planning also enables the selection of appropriate conduit materials, such as metal conduits that shield circuits from electromagnetic interference or non-metallic conduits that resist corrosion and reduce installation costs.
Additionally, conduit planning is essential for achieving efficient and cost-effective installations. By mapping out conduit runs, contractors can optimise their material usage, accurately estimating the required wire sizes and lengths. This precision helps to avoid costly change orders and ensures a more streamlined installation process. Planning also allows for the consideration of specific challenges or requirements, such as the need for underground or overhead conduit plans in retrofit projects.
Moreover, conduit planning is crucial for maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of finished walls. By planning ahead, electricians can determine the appropriate box extensions to use when running conduit on existing walls, ensuring a neat appearance and sufficient space for wire connections.
In conclusion, conduit planning is of utmost importance in electrical conduit installations. It ensures safety, facilitates wiring changes, optimises installation efficiency, and enhances the overall functionality of the electrical system. By carefully planning the conduit layout, materials, and routing, electricians can deliver a compliant, adaptable, and cost-effective solution.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical conduit is a tube that protects and routes multiple electrical wires throughout a house or building, keeping them together and encased.
There are a few different ways to pull a wire through an electrical conduit. One common method is to use a fishing weight, which is a heavy weight that helps guide the wire through the conduit. You can also use a wire mouse, fish tape, or string.
It is important to consider the complexity of the conduit path, including any obstacles, bends, and angles. Additionally, the type, thickness, and texture of the conduit should be taken into account, as well as the number of wires being pulled at once.
The fishing weight method involves attaching a heavy fishing weight to the end of the wire using string or fishing wire. The weight should be thin enough to fit through the conduit but heavy enough to pull the lubricated wire. The weight is then inserted into the conduit, and gravity is used to pull the weight along, with the wire following behind.
