Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    lyle groth's Avatar
    lyle groth Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 10, 2009, 01:43 PM
    What should I do now that I can't get my fish tape to the other end
    I spent many hours yesterday trying to run my fish tape in underground 3/4" conduit that contains 5-#12 wires. It is about a 50' run and it seems to stop in about the same place. The farthest I got was about 30'. I tried connecting the tape to the ground wire and pulling that but that only got about 6" in either direction. I was just wondering what might be causing this to be so difficult? Is there anything I can do instead of disconnecting the wires and pulling everything out and starting over.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Oct 11, 2009, 05:25 AM
    Pulling in wires in a conduit already containing wires is often difficult, as the existing wires get twisted and offer an obstruction, often at elbows or sweeps, during the original installation.

    Plus if you used a metal fish tape, it can damage the insulation on the existing wires.

    Whenever I need to add wires to an existing conduit, I always figure on pulling out the existing wires and add the new to the harness.

    Pull out the existing wires, and inspect the entire length of each wire carefully for damage before re-installing with the new wires. If there is any doubt, install all new wire. 250 foot of #12 is not that expensive, and will insure there will be no problems later.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 11, 2009, 10:09 AM
    Pulling all the wires is the only way to go. It is faster, will allow inspection of the wires and make the installation easier. (and you will find out what is blocking you at 30')
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Oct 11, 2009, 12:11 PM

    I like to use 1 existing wire to pull in additional wires. If I pull out a green wire, I will pull in a green with new wires to replace.
    Since it only moves about 6 inches either direction, it may have a junction.
    Worse case pull them all out, and attach a fish or wires to the end.
    Lube Well.
    If the wire breaks, it may be from a junction box connection, and the length of the wire will help locate the box.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Fish are dying. Again in fish tank. [ 3 Answers ]

Ph is high in this, the second try. All my fish died a few weeks ago, over night. Cleaned out tank and have introduced a few new fish. Now they have began to die. The ph is high, and I am trying to bring it down using peat moss this time. I have a coral rock in the tank. Could this be a problem...

Mud and tape [ 5 Answers ]

Any one know what to charge per square ft. for mud and taping a basement if all materials are supplied. No ceiling work, just walls and bulkheads. Thanks

VHS tape stuck in VCR [ 2 Answers ]

I have a Toshiba M675 VCR that will not turn on. It has a VHS tape in it. I have the cover off. How do I get the tape out? Thank You.

The # of fish a fish tank can hold. [ 3 Answers ]

The number of tropical fish that an aquarium can hold depends on the volume of the fish tank. The interior dimensions of the fish tank below are 28 cm, 49 cm, and 52 cm. Each fish requires 10,000 cubic centimeters of water. How many tropical fish will this fish tank hold?

Bad Tape Job [ 3 Answers ]

I recently had a chance to by a fixer upper and noticed that the dry wall joints had been badly taped and could be seen through the paint and/or falling off all together. What is the best way to handle this?

View more questions Search