LESSONS LEARNED - Network Cable Pulling Tips & Tricks

Pull String is a definite helper. And it's pretty inexpensive for a bucket.

Velcro always, never zip ties. It takes the same amount of time, above ceiling or in a closet. Velcro will never pinch cable, zip ties can.

Also, don’t pull through J Hooks, pull in the path way next to the j hook, when done with the run, work backwards, dressing in the cable with Velcro and push any slack back the start of the run.

next time put cables inside conduit

Nice job using true cable 👍

So how did all your runs hold up after the users came back to school? Any issues? I had a issue once where my new point of sale systems were super slow talking to the server. Turns out the data runs were 450' long!!! I fixed that with a mini switch in the cieling half way down the run. Turns out it was done by an electrician and he didnt know anything about IT.

5e ???? In 2023

Zip ties are ok but theyre for places where the wiring wont chhange like the ceiling, but dont zip them too tight or they can dig into the cables jacket over time. Velcro is for your switch closets and server rooms where cables are gonna be swapped around over time.

My #1 rule is tools tools tools. Have them all ready to go on hand. Worst thing is when you have to waste time hunting down a tool.

Do you certify the runs or just test them? As long as its under 300' (which i can get from foot markers printed on the cable) I dont see the need to certify if it passes a simple cable mapper test since the cables certified from the factory.

Never remove existing witing unless its part of the scope of work and the customer is aware of the extra cost. Its so easy to remove something live thats still needed by mistake.

He talks at regular human speed if you set the playback speed to 1.5x. yw o/

How did you pick up the job?

There are wire-pulling machines that can pull large bundles of wire and have a clutch that prevents exceeding the pulling force of the specs of the cable. They make life much easier in many cases, but the machine itself is quite expensive so you must have a certain amount of work to justify the cost.

Zip ties vs Velcro. If I am placing cable that is not likely to be changed, moved, or removed, I will use Zip ties that have releases on them so they can be changed and re-used or salvaged for future use. Velcro is equivalent but can take up more space at the wrap point since you cannot cinch them as tight. To estimate the length of cable run look at a set of plans for the building and make install measurements from these plans. If you are lucky enough to have digital access to plans create a cabling layer for each type of cabling. right in the AutoCAD file and place your cable runs on that layer. There are also tools that can analyze these runs and provide recommendations for time, labor and materials. This may incur an additional cost for having an expert do this work in AutoCAD for you, but it benefits you and the employer for future moves, adds and changes. If the plans already have cabling layers on them then they can be used to estimate new cable runs and TM&L for replacement. Many RFQ's will specify that this work is part of the project, so you need to have a specialist available to perform the required AutoCAD work. Some RFQ also specify strict qualification requirements for final testing and documentation of those tests. I once was part of a job that had a 600-page statement of work to re-cable a single floor of a university and connect it to other buildings. We had a staff member performing compliance and validation throughout the project. He inspected cable runs, terminations and performed his own qualification tests to ensure that they matched what we were submitted to. He also provided authoritative guidance when things were not as documented or changed were to be communicated. He also provided security for some areas where non-staff could not be present without an escort. At one room he sent his own staff due to proprietary equipment in the room that was not allowed to be viewed or accessed or operating that required special procedures to depower or otherwise accommodate. They also ensured that a paramedic was on site during the process since staff were always at risk of a fall hazard, and in some cases required climbing skills and harness while transitioning through a central tower. We have also had elevator specialists to assist running through elevator towers as well.