Making a Head for 30 #14s?

[dkehler]

I have a wire pull coming up with a lot of control wire I have a question about. What is the best way to make a head for 30 #14s?

 

[iwire]

I have a few sizes of these I like to use.

 

[dkehler]

I've never seen that type of tip on the eye before. It seems a bit large. Do I need to crimp that down a bit?

 

[iwire]

I've never seen that type of tip on the eye before. It seems a bit large. Do I need to crimp that down a bit?

The smaller sizes I have do not have the metal 'U' they just have wire rope.

 

[infinity]

Solid or stranded?

What Bob showed works on the principle of this kids toy, the harder you pull the tighter it gets.

 

[dkehler]

Does the metal U serve a unique purpose, like vertical cable support? And the metal wire loop made primarily for pulling?

 

[dkehler]

Solid or stranded?

What Bob showed works on the principle of this kids toy, the harder you pull the tighter it gets.

Stranded. I'm familiar with the sock, I've only used it on feeders. ( no more than 4 or 5 wires )

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I would typically tape the wires together in groups of 6 with 5 of the 6 conductors ending at the tape and the 6th extending 10-12" beyond the tape. The long wires from the groups would be attached to the fish tape or pulling rope.

 

[Smart $]

A little history... (see third paragraph)

Guess it would help to include the link... :happyyes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivien_Kellems

 

[iwire]

I would typically tape the wires together in groups of 6 with 5 of the 6 conductors ending at the tape and the 6th extending 10-12" beyond the tape. The long wires from the groups would be attached to the fish tape or pulling rope.

I would have to say the grip is faster to make up and take apart.

At one job we were using 1/4" rope as the pull rope, we had a small kellem that would grip the rope and hooked a slightly bigger one onto for the conductors.

 

[electricalist]

I have a few sizes of these I like to use.

Everytime I go by our shop I grab everyone of these I see.
If you crip down the end it works great.
I usually number or phase then a couple wraps of tape then a small knot of tape ahead of that for the sock to get tight on then a few wraps of tape on the outside of the sock just under the knot and it holds real well.
Number ir phase at a length thats not in the sock so you can chop off the wires and keep going.

Are 30 control wires derateable?

 

[ActionDave]

I would typically tape the wires together in groups of 6 with 5 of the 6 conductors ending at the tape and the 6th extending 10-12" beyond the tape. The long wires from the groups would be attached to the fish tape or pulling rope.

This is what I would do/have done. The socks are great for feeders but with thirty wires I'd be afraid some would slip out of the middle.

I usually strip about six inches of insulation and twist the wires together around the leader wire. For stranded I'll also cut away about half the strands. Use good tape and enough of it.

 

[dkehler]

I too was a little concerned about the wires in the middle slipping out, unless someone can confirm the sock is fine when used in this way. Typically in the past I would pull wire the way that you had described in pretty much most situations. OTE=ActionDave;1615659]This is what I would do/have done. The socks are great for feeders but with thirty wires I'd be afraid some would slip out of the middle.

I usually strip about six inches of insulation and twist the wires together around the leader wire. For stranded I'll also cut away about half the strands. Use good tape and enough of it.[/QUOTE]

 

[electricalist]

When I have pulled many wires with a sock. A choker or 2 within the first few feet has helped me.
Id have to say thay I never wanna pull 30 solid wires anywhere but out of a conduit. . I find with that many damaged wires , labor intense preperation and marker on the wires getting torn off arent worth it.
I want to run more conduit if I can and keep it simple. My derating ? Was more directed at how derating teaches me that less wires in a conduit may cost more in one way but in frustration and labor ill be more content in the end.

 

[Cow]

When I have that many wires to pull I usually just half hitch around the whole bundle with mule tape.

 

[iwire]

When I have that many wires to pull I usually just half hitch around the whole bundle with mule tape.

Half hitches are great when the pipe is that much over sized it can fit.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I would have to say the grip is faster to make up and take apart.

At one job we were using 1/4" rope as the pull rope, we had a small kellem that would grip the rope and hooked a slightly bigger one onto for the conductors.

I would agree that the grip is probably faster, but you do have to make sure you have the correct size grip. As far as connection the rope to the grip, we would feed the eye of the rope through the eye of the grip, and around the open end of the grip and pull the rope eye back up to the grip eye.

As far as the groups, typically we are pulling groups of 5 or 6 #14s to auto valves and this lets us split the sets off to the various valves and is also our means of identification. Each group of wires will have a different color "leader".

 

[dkehler]

So I made the pull today. It was 7 #18 1 shielded pairs surrounded by 30 #14s in a 2" conduit. It sounds like a lot but its less than 40%. I used the sock with a few bits of tie wire to cinch it up and it worked fine. The insulation on the shielded pairs was rubber like and kinda sticky which I'm sure helped. I think it was XLP. The pull was about 80' and I think only 2 90s. ( it was underground ) So I couldn't say how well this set up would hold up on a tougher pull, but thanks for everyones input.

 

[electricalist]

Nice. Now I understand why it needed to be all in the same conduit. .
I like the idea of oversized conduits. .a little more money for a lot less stress and enough room to pull that one more thing that they may have overlooked