Mark Lug Orientation Before Crimping
Dry-fitting a cable lug on its terminal and marking across the lug and jacket, so a crimp can't lock it at the wrong angle.
Fold the Cable End Back on Itself to Feed Through Conduit Bends
One of 2 takes on Feed Cable Through Conduit Bends
The Problem
Feeding cable or a fish tape down a conduit run, the tip jams at the first bend and hangs up on the small step inside every coupling. The longer the run and the more bends it has — slab runs between boxes are the classic case — the more places there are for a squared-off end to dig in and stop dead.
The Technique
- Fold the tip of the cable back on itself, about 180 degrees.
- Wrap the folded end with a couple of turns of electrical tape so it can't open up.
- Feed it in. The loop presents a rounded leading edge that slides around bends and glides over coupling steps instead of catching on them.
The same fold-and-tape works on the end of a fish tape or snake — anywhere a blunt tip has been hanging up.
Pro tip: Keep the taped fold compact. A tight, smooth bullet of a nose feeds through easier than a long loose loop, which can fold over and wedge in a tight bend.
Electrical, plumbing, and structural work may be regulated where you live — check local code before you start, and note that a permit may be required. More in our disclaimer.
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