Here are some low -tech tips
that pertain to all wire and cable installation
In a pinch? Make a Snake
If you need to snake a cable across a ceiling and you don't have a regular fish tape handy, you can use a steel tape measure instead. Put some electrical tape over the hook on the end of the tape to prevent it from getting caught up on objects.
Pull-Line...A Cable Installer's Best Friend
If you are using your metal fish tape (snake) to pull wire directly, you are doing it the hard way (Exception: if the pull is very short).
Instead, use the fish tape to pull in string (aka: pull-line, drag-line, etc.). This will save you a lot of time and effort. Also, if you are waiting for the cable to arrive to your facility, you can prepare ahead of time by pre-installing the pull lines.
LANshack sells a 6500 foot bucket of pull-line that is intended specifically for cable installation. See the Monthly Special below.
Best Tying Method for Wire Pulling
Whether you are pulling a single cable or even a group of cables, the best method for preparing the leading end of the pull is by using a series of "lock Stitch" knots. Use at least two of these knots or even more if the difficulty of the pull is expected to be high.
Use a few turns of electrical tape at the beginning and at the end of the series of knots. Try to keep the last knot and electrical tape as close to the end of the cable(s) as possible.
Note: Lock Stitch knots are also used for "lacing" of cable harnesses.
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