Advice on using a basket grip to pull wire?

[mcneil]

I have a new main panel, with a 200 amp service, and when I installed it, I routed a 1-1/4" flex conduit from the panel into the basement to allow for a future garage subpanel. Well, the future is now, I'm doing the subpanel, and I'm trying to pull 3 4AWG THHN conductors and 1 6AWG ground through that flex.

The challenge for me is that it's a 25' long piece of flex, and there's two 90 deg bends right at the box. But for a pro, this would be an easy job with soap and a good grip. So I think I can do it if I get a basket grip and a friend to help.

Does anyone have any experience using a basket grip?
I'm assuming I should pull all 4 wires at once, right?
Is the grip ok on the insulation, or do I need to strip down to grip on the conductor?

 

[Rookie2]

Its fine on insulation, you have to tape it at the open end at least a few inches, keep all 4 wires parallel as you feed them in and push as well as pull. use color tape or cut rings on the wire to identify l1 l2 etc.

 

[kd3pc]

strong rope and some soap, make sure the puller and the feeder are in sync and you are good to go.

 

[brownie]

well i wouldn't use a basket to pull through flex. make up a nice head stagger your wires and tape it up nice a tight. should be no problem

 

[Mustang51js]

You need another person to help, have one push wires in while you pull,it's hard enough getting wires pulled through flex by yourself when it's 5 feet long

 

[Conductor562]

I've had good luck with the Klein wire pulling gel. Got it at HD IIRC.

 

[mcneil]

Sounds good, thanks!
I'll try it with the grip, some pulling gel, and a helper at the box

 

[sands35]

strong rope and some soap, make sure the puller and the feeder are in sync and you are good to go.

I'd suggest avoiding soap. It will eventually dry out and harden up. Best just to get the pulling gel. It's not that expensive and it stays lubricated (though it can freeze).

 

[Andybull]

I feel safer stripping, staggering, taping and using pulling gel.

 

[Aceman]

I'd suggest avoiding soap. It will eventually dry out and harden up. Best just to get the pulling gel. It's not that expensive and it stays lubricated (though it can freeze).

Soap is electrical slang for wire lube.

 

[sands35]

Soap is electrical slang for wire lube.

Ha - good to know! (I've only heard electricians call it lube - sometime KY when the wife isn't around!)