1. Fish tape definitions

You may have heard about the WORD FISH TAPE many times, but what on earth is that? In fact, it is subtly simple tool,which is well known as drawing tape or drawing wire, widely used by an electrician to route through electrical conduit or walls for wires. Fish tape is made of narrow spring steel strips or fiberglass rods,or nylon rods in 3-4 mm diameter. The tape can be guided through these cavities by careful operation.

Normally Steel fish tape is with specific length kike 15-100 m, flat and thin steel wire belt which rolls upon a round wheel and sturdy housing with handle. Many people may ask again, why is it called Fish tape? You could imagine that when you use it, it's very like Fishing the steel tapes by pushing a wire though the electric conduit. At the other end of conduit, you need attach the wire tightly onto the tips of fish tape, so you could pull wire through. What is the conduit we mentioned? It is made of plastic pipe or metal pipe, which  has no other purpose but to protect the electric wires, it’s kinda like plumbing pipe.

♦   Attach the wires.

When connecting multiple wires with the fish tape, we need to remove the outer insulation from the wire and wrap the bare wire around the eyes at the end of the fish tape. Wrap the twisted wire around all connected wires and wrap the entire head of the wire connection with electrical tape. Adding puller lubricants makes pulling easier.

When a job requires the use of a large wire in a conduit, an electrician may pull the wires in a rope by using a fish, and then use a rope to pull the wire. Although the wire is sturdy and flexible, it is not a good idea to pull wire in heavy loads with this fish tape tool. 

  ♦   What is the Tips for Pulling Wires via Fish Tapes.

When we are faced in the box and ready to feed wires, we need to pull all wires by even strength from the bobbin when we feed the wires into conduit. In addition, try to untie the wire while feeding. Use one hand to lubricate the wires and send them into the tubing. Pull the wire from the spool with the other hand.

If you are exactly the one pulling the wire on the other end, pull the wire at 2 to 3 feet intervals. Stop and count to four before you pull. Check with the feeder to see if this is a good step. Pulling too fast will cut the wire and grab the assistant's finger in the box. Leave enough time between the cables so that the person has enough time to lubricate the cables and pull the spools long enough to feed them into the duct. A simple signal to remind each other that you are ready to pull the next time, is to use a metal tool to tap the catheter.

  ♦   Can We Fish the wire Alone?

It's not hard for us to feed the wire though a very short conduit by oneself, however, it would be better to have an assistant when guiding the wire into the conduit and periodically apply a wire lubricant, which will help the wire slide run without trouble or damage.

We are not recommended to pull very hard on the wire, which most tends to get the wire insulation damaged. This is very dangerous since the wires cannot be exposed during metal conduit. We need take care of this.

♦   For material:

If for non-conductive condition, then we need to choose fiberglass fish tape or nylon fish tape. Fiberglass fish tape is with higher tensile strength and more flexible.

Besides the tape material, you may also consider the cost of each type. Nylon is the most economic if the plastic reel is not necessary, many clients will purchase it only in rolls without reel.

You may need to choose the best and proper fish tape according to your required operation conditions.

7. How to use fish tape in wall.

It may be boring and tedious for us to fish cable wire through the wall, but it would be much more easier in most cases if we prepare basic and simple tools to help with the work. We need to be patient thoroughly the approach wire work, and this will help us to avoid the work getting bogged down due to damaged wires or any wasted drilling.

When operating fish tapes in wall, we need to shut off the electricity to keep it safe. So it's better to do it on daytime with enough natural light. But if you have no choice but to do the work in nights, you may take a electric torch with you. What most important thing is to make sure all the power and lights are turned off to ensure the working space condition is enough safe.

Before fishing the wires, we need to do something in advance, first to check whether duct work or crossbeam existing in the path space.

When fishing the wire, use a fish tape to pull wires though the wall. Carefully we need to spread the steel strip evenly from the opening to the other one. Connect the tape tips tightly with eyelet and the electric cable wires. We need to make sure that the steel tape is smooth by adding lubricating to ensure the cable slide easily. Then handle the fish tape to pull the cable wire through the wall. The main tips are that we need to handle evenly with slow speed, otherwise, the friction will get the cable winded or damaged. This will cost us much time to correct it. If we got trouble guiding through the cable wire, we may need to give it try to coat steel tape with lubricating. If you cannot pass the cable, try smearing the tape with petrolatum.

8. How to fix a fish tape.

It occasionally happens that the fish tape jammed or the tape broke during operation of a fish tape.

To repair the fiberglass fish tape, it is better to prepare the repair box,mainly include multi-function ratcheting tool ,additional eyelets and glue for fiberglass fish tape. You need to replace the eyelets or tips when it is broken; when the fiberglass rod, you need to connect new eyelet onto the remaining fiberglass rod to get it still operational.