Monday, July 25, 2011

Pull A New Wire Through A Conduit

Pulling wire through conduit requires the right tools.


Conduit is a small diameter metal tube used to protect long runs of electrical wire in residential and commercial properties. Run along walls and ceilings, conduit is attached to the wall or ceiling for support. Pulling new electrical wires through a conduit can be necessary when installing new wire or upgrading and replacing older wire. Taking the time to safely and properly perform the task is essential to avoid potential injury while working with electrical wiring. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Turn off the power, if necessary, to any old lines in the conduit. Disconnect the old line from lights, switches or panels so they can be easily removed. Pull old wires from the conduit.


2. Hold the end of the new wires that will be fed through the conduit. Remove 1 to 2 inches of insulation from the end of each wire with a pair of wire cutters with strippers.


3. Feed a fish tape through the conduit from the opposite end of the conduit. Push the tape out the end of the conduit so the new electrical wires can be attached.


4. Feed the stripped end of each wire through the loop in the end of the fish tape. Bend the wire back and around itself. Repeat the process with each wire and tape the wires with electrical tape to hold them in place when pulled through the conduit.


5. Spray the wires with wire lubricant to help them slide through the conduit more easily. Pull the fish tape back through the conduit length slowly to avoid pulling the wire loose from the end of the fish tape.







Tags: fish tape, through conduit, each wire, through conduit, electrical wires, wires with