Temperature when pulling nmb wire?

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toddw218

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What is the lowest air temperature that I can pull nmb wire in before it will start cracking or splitting? Am from Minnesota with cold temperatures. Any answers please?
 
Don't remember at what temp this happened, to many years ago, but when we dropped a roll on the floor and the jacket cracked and split into pieces we went back to the shop. Politely suggested the boss could wire it if he was really set on it getting done. Hopefully the newer stuff is better. Toes hurt just thinking about it.
 
Quote:
  1. Store cables in a warm warehouse prior to installation.
  2. Avoid, if at all possible, installation of cables when temperature is lower than 14 F.
  3. If necessary to install below 14 F, avoid all types of impact - for example: dropping cable on the concrete floor, sharp bending or kinking.
  4. Avoid long pulls or those with an excessive number of bends.
  5. When cable must be bent in a manhole or cable vault, do it carefully and slowly using a mandrel if space permits.
The above is from here.
It does say that you can install PVC insulated cables at temperatures down to -22?F to - 40?F depending on the size, but the insulation may shatter on impact if it is below 14?F.
Don
 
lol...man if it gets negative temps...I aint pulling no wire but then again thats me. The builders call me a pre-madonna anyway due to my complaints on their on going mind changing.
 
That's funny.....I just had an argument with a coworker about this today. It might have had something to do with the sub-freezing temperatures we're having. ;)
 
radiopet said:
lol...man if it gets negative temps...I aint pulling no wire but then again thats me. The builders call me a pre-madonna anyway due to my complaints on their on going mind changing.

Prima donna.

Wasn't going to comment, but that's a new one by me.
 
peter d said:
That's funny.....I just had an argument with a coworker about this today. It might have had something to do with the sub-freezing temperatures we're having. ;)

It was 2 degrees F this morning when I got to my job site, negative temps overnight, and I had locked up materials in the customer's detached, unheated, and uninsulated garage. I had skimmed this thread before leaving for work this morning, so when I got the 12/2 NM out of the garage, I brought it inside and played with it a bit. Cut off a chunk and hit it with a hammer, bent it into all sorts of unholy shapes, and it didn't seem to be any more brittle than usual. The insulation didn't crack once, though it tore where I mishit it with the hammer.

This wasn't good, it meant I had to work....and today was definitely one of those days Jim W. would've stayed home. :)
 
This wasn't good, it meant I had to work....and today was definitely one of those days Jim W. would've stayed home.

lol....I did. Not used to working in 7-10 degree weather with a wind chill...but then again it's good to be the boss...:)
 
-24F yesterday morning. Romex cracks like glass at that temp. However, three kero heaters and an hour later, we're slinging NM.
 
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