#8 THHN labor units

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mstrlucky74

Senior Member
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NJ
Have about 80,000' that needs THHN pulled through existing parallel 2" emt conduits. Basically 100' horizontal and 40' vert. We usually use about 9 hours per M but I'm thinking this can be reduced a bit due to qty. and parallel sets. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
 
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Is 40' the total vertical amount, or is it 20' up, 20' down? Lift work or on the ground? Is that 80,000' of total cable or sq footage of the facility? Will splices need to be made up or can the pulls be done </= 4 quarter bends, or w/o j/pull boxes?

Also, how are you paralleling #8 wire within Code?
 
I would not discount the hours at all.

You are speculating there will be a savings, and it appears there will be.

You would be guessing on how much to discount at this point. If you get the job, then you're planning with the forman/PM how to save.
I would want to keep that savings for the reward of my good planning

I wouldn't concern myself if some competitor labors the job by saying "4 men/6 days" or something.
 
JFletcher said:
Is 40' the total vertical amount, or is it 20' up, 20' down? Lift work or on the ground? Is that 80,000' of total cable or sq footage of the facility? Will splices need to be made up or can the pulls be done </= 4 quarter bends, or w/o j/pull boxes?

Also, how are you paralleling #8 wire within Code?
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40' total vert. There will be one pull box in run, no splices. What code when your referring to paralleling?
 
mstrlucky74 said:
40' total vert. There will be one pull box in run, no splices. What code when your referring to paralleling?
Click to expand...

The original post referred to savings on labor for parallel runs. JFletcher thought that was a reference to electrically in parallel, not mechanically in parallel, i.e. same origin and destination.
You cannot generally parallel smaller than 1/0 wires to get higher ampacity for the circuit.
 
mstrlucky74 said:
No empty conduits. Would really like to get feedback on this pull scenario. Thanks.
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I think it is time for you to trust your own instincts. I have seen many of the questions you have asked and even a few private messages or the last couple of years. I am just not sure what your company structure is, what power you have to make decisions and whether you have people in your company to ask questions of. Remembering that the purpose of being in business is to make a profit, the price you should give is the price that is appropriate for ALL of the circumstances surrounding this issue. If it is a competitive bid the right amount is the amount that covers your overhead, and is JUST enough to be lower than the second competent bidder. If it is a negotiated customer that amount is again enough to cover overhead and reasonable profit. Usually higher than a low bid situation due to value added service, but not high enough to be taking advantage of the customer.

All of that said, break it down. How much time to get the guys going. How long to set up a pull. How long to pull. How long to clean up. You are either going to be right or wrong.
 
Strathead said:
I think it is time for you to trust your own instincts. I have seen many of the questions you have asked and even a few private messages or the last couple of years. I am just not sure what your company structure is, what power you have to make decisions and whether you have people in your company to ask questions of. Remembering that the purpose of being in business is to make a profit, the price you should give is the price that is appropriate for ALL of the circumstances surrounding this issue. If it is a competitive bid the right amount is the amount that covers your overhead, and is JUST enough to be lower than the second competent bidder. If it is a negotiated customer that amount is again enough to cover overhead and reasonable profit. Usually higher than a low bid situation due to value added service, but not high enough to be taking advantage of the customer.

All of that said, break it down. How much time to get the guys going. How long to set up a pull. How long to pull. How long to clean up. You are either going to be right or wrong.
Click to expand...


I do trust my instincts often. I bid and look at drawings all day everyday so in the grand scheme of things my questions on here pale in comparison compared to the decisions I make on a daily basis. There are times when I think an electricians feedback( MH forum guys in particular)will provide me with better insight to make an informed decision.

So in this case with the very large number of #8's it will make a difference whether it'll take an aggressive 7 hours per thousand or 11 hours. I know what I use in a typical situation but this is not typical.
 
You sure it's not 8000 feet of wire? This will give you ~28.5 wire + 1 ground/ per pipe

80000'/140'= 571.428

5710428/2 per = 285.71 wires

What am I missing, playing along at the house...
 
cadpoint said:
You sure it's not 8000 feet of wire? This will give you ~28.5 wire + 1 ground/ per pipe

80000'/140'= 571.428

5710428/2 per = 285.71 wires

What am I missing, playing along at the house...
Click to expand...

Its 80,000 feet maybe even close to 100,000 when all said and done.
 
mstrlucky74 said:
I do trust my instincts often. I bid and look at drawings all day everyday so in the grand scheme of things my questions on here pale in comparison compared to the decisions I make on a daily basis. There are times when I think an electricians feedback( MH forum guys in particular)will provide me with better insight to make an informed decision.

So in this case with the very large number of #8's it will make a difference whether it'll take an aggressive 7 hours per thousand or 11 hours. I know what I use in a typical situation but this is not typical.
Click to expand...

I am sorry when typing I left off the part where I said your instincts have been solid in the past, I think it was implied. But what I am saying is that there are many aspects that need to be looked at to change the labor and it is unlikely for you to list them all here, so my opinion, for example, would be based on generic information more than job specific. You know before you even ask the question that there are circumstances where changing the labor rate is warranted. Whether this is one of them only you would really know. Can a crew slam #8 at 7 hours per thousand, absolutely. Have you looked at Southwire wire in a barrel? With that quantity it might be worth paying the extra. That reduces labor. If you buy big reels and they are already set on a truck you can pull off of. Etc.
 
Strathead said:
I am sorry when typing I left off the part where I said your instincts have been solid in the past, I think it was implied. But what I am saying is that there are many aspects that need to be looked at to change the labor and it is unlikely for you to list them all here, so my opinion, for example, would be based on generic information more than job specific. You know before you even ask the question that there are circumstances where changing the labor rate is warranted. Whether this is one of them only you would really know. Can a crew slam #8 at 7 hours per thousand, absolutely. Have you looked at Southwire wire in a barrel? With that quantity it might be worth paying the extra. That reduces labor. If you buy big reels and they are already set on a truck you can pull off of. Etc.
Click to expand...

Ill check that out. Thanks
 
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