Re-Pulling 70 year old cloth lighting home runs

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Mule

Mule

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Oklahoma
I was awarded a job today.....which included re-pulling 4, 1" rigid home runs that have 8/12awg wires in each of 70yr old cloth covered wire. Im going to take a wild guess and say that they are approx 80-100ft long....BUT I seen two back to back 90's in a equip room...Oh boy

My question is this, If I cant get the wires to move or budge, or, if they start ball'ing up on me as I'm pulling them, is there any tricks? I know in refinineries we used to use steam, but this is a museum and that wont be possible here.

I have told the client that in this case we will forced to abandon the home run and install a new one. We are on T/M and estimated 10 days (IF the wires move and every thing goes smooth), but there is other work along with these pulls.
 
That old cloth wiring seems to usally have a coat of a waxy time material that seems to be pretty slick through old pipe.
Usually there is an initial break that is a bit tough but then your rollin'.
I recently pulled out a bunch of old cloth out of a really long run of flex that had who knows how many degrees of bend and it pulled out great.
Good luck!
 
I think that you have covered you bases with the owner about the possible install of new home runs. If wire balls up your pretty well stuck. Tug to hard and cables break. Looks like work is starting to come your way good luck!
 
This building has Old Old bakelite Frank Adams gear that looks like it explode if you sneeze on it.....but it was a high dollar facility when it was built in 1933
 
My guess is that it the conduit hasn't been damaged then the conductors should come out. I've pulled out many 70-80 year old home runs over the years without any difficulty when the conduit was still in decent shape.
 
At least the equipment room might give you a spot for some jbs if you get in a jam. I have also heard that the cloth will sometimes wick lube if left to soak overnight
 
electricalperson said:
can you take pictures of that gear for us?
Click to expand...

I'll try to remember...it will be 3 weeks or so before we start, as we are finishing up backlog.

The gear enclosures are "Black" in color, never seen that before.
 
ctmike said:
At least the equipment room might give you a spot for some jbs if you get in a jam. I have also heard that the cloth will sometimes wick lube if left to soak overnight
Click to expand...

I had this crazy thought if I have a stubborn pull, I could hook up a oil mister with a diluted solution of wire lube and blow it through with air pressure and as you said, let it set over night...
 
I've reclaimed quite a few old conduit runs - even a 250MCM/3 cable with cloth and paper insulation and a lead sheath for over 100' - I was skeptical that it even got in there that way - but it came out. Get a few guys with hammers to beat on the side of the pipe as you start to pull. The vibration will help out a lot by breaking the sidewall pressure with just enough reduced friction with each beat. Once it's moving it should just continue on out. FYI - if you ever have a stall while pulling conductors into conduit, it works the same.... Sometimes you need to probe around for the right place to hit it for the most effect, usually right before or after 90's, sometimes in the middle of long straight runs.

One at a time sometimes works, but could lead to more problems depending on how good the man was who fed it in there in the first place many years ago. It's gamble - a good one to bet, as back then - dare I say it guys really took pride in their work. But if he did not, and rolled them as it fed in it might bind worse.

I would go all at the same time and beating it first, then if that fails go one at a time, and beat it too.

I would avoid adding lube as it may just impede you getting a grip on it - and wont make it to where you really need it. IMO use that as a last resort. You'll be surprized at how slick that wax is.
 
We managed to pull out a lead covered cable installed in a conduit back in the 30s. We poured some oil in the conduit @ each end & let it soak for a couple days. We used a cable winch to maintain pulling pressure, let it sit for a while, go back give it another click or two. Once it started things went well. Vibrations definately help.

Seems like most cable installed in conduit is in pretty good shape with exception at the ends or if water has managed to get in.
 
These are all great suggestions, thanks....Im leaving this morning for my "Out of Town" "two day a week" gig.........later
 
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