What Is Fish Tape and How Does It Work?
Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
by P Klien
Introduction
Fish tape (also known as a draw wire or draw tape) is a tool used by electricians to route new wiring through walls and electrical conduit. Fish tape is a length of stiff wire with a hook at the end and is usually stored coiled on a plastic reel. It works because it is bendy enough to easily go around corners and curves in the pipe, but strong enough to be pushed through the pipe without folding on itself and capable of pulling other items back through the pipe without breaking.
How It Works
Fish tape is the only good way to run wire through insulation. It will help you push wire through conduits faster and easier. It's sturdy yet flexible enough to snake inside walls, and can be used to run wiring behind objects that are big, heavy and would be a pain to move. However, sometimes the bends are too sharp, or the conduit has a joint or connection where the fish tape gets stuck. If that is the case, tie the end of the cord or the fish tape to the loop formed and pull it back through the way it went in. Please note, this is usually a two-person job: One to pull the fish tape from the far end and another to help feed the wire through without kinking or tangling on the other end. It's also important to note that staggered connection points prevent bunching or hang-ups in tight bends, so be careful not to let that happen.
Conclusion
Typically, fish tape is supplied in lengths ranging from 25 to 200 feet. It's really the only viable way to run wire through insulation easily. It's sturdy enough for pulling cable through conduit, but the cable must be taped well to it. Most impressive is the fact that fish tape is small enough to fit in a small toolbox or even in a small kitchen drawer or desk drawer.
Fish tape (also known as a draw wire or draw tape) is a tool used by electricians to route new wiring through walls and electrical conduit. Fish tape is a length of stiff wire with a hook at the end and is usually stored coiled on a plastic reel. It works because it is bendy enough to easily go around corners and curves in the pipe, but strong enough to be pushed through the pipe without folding on itself and capable of pulling other items back through the pipe without breaking.
Fish tape is the only good way to run wire through insulation. It will help you push wire through conduits faster and easier. It's sturdy yet flexible enough to snake inside walls, and can be used to run wiring behind objects that are big, heavy and would be a pain to move. However, sometimes the bends are too sharp, or the conduit has a joint or connection where the fish tape gets stuck. If that is the case, tie the end of the cord or the fish tape to the loop formed and pull it back through the way it went in. Please note, this is usually a two-person job: One to pull the fish tape from the far end and another to help feed the wire through without kinking or tangling on the other end. It's also important to note that staggered connection points prevent bunching or hang-ups in tight bends, so be careful not to let that happen.
Conclusion
Typically, fish tape is supplied in lengths ranging from 25 to 200 feet. It's really the only viable way to run wire through insulation easily. It's sturdy enough for pulling cable through conduit, but the cable must be taped well to it. Most impressive is the fact that fish tape is small enough to fit in a small toolbox or even in a small kitchen drawer or desk drawer.
Find fish tape now at ConnectorCountry.com, your source for electrical supplies!
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