pulling #10 in 1/2" conduit

[scout4bta]

Advice on pulling 3 #10 stranded through 1/2 conduit, 40' with 2 90° bends. Just finished pulling 3 #12 solid over 40' in 1/2 with 2 90° and it wasn't too bad. I've been using a borrowed flat wire fish tape, is this a case where rope might be better?
I really don't want to invest in a 3/4 conduit bender, I doubt I'd ever use it again. On the other hand I don't mind investing in tools if I can see that I'd use more than once.
The run starts at the panel, goes up to the ceiling, across the roof, and then down to the junction box. Of course there are several off sets, these will be 10° with a max rise of 1/2".

 

[Norcal]

Max fill in 1/2” EMT is 5 - 10AWG THHN so you should be fine.

 

[teamextreme]

^ Agreed. Or to help things out, get rid of that ground wire...

 

[ford33]

I've pulled four #10 through 1/2" conduit without too much difficulty. It took some effort due to the bends. If you are concerned try to make the 90 degree bends with a large radius or 2 - 45 degree bends using your conduit bender. It will be the bends that cause you the most difficulty. Also make sure your conduit is securely attached to the wall. You don't want it to move and cause you more difficulty pulling the wire.

 

[Copymutt]

Lube will help a bunch.

 

[egdede]

Stranded should be OK, lube as mentioned.

 

[Bert_]

Way to much thought going into this. Don't worry about lube or solid vs stranded. It's only 40' of pipe and 2 90's, the wire will fly right in.

 

[scout4bta]

Lube, had no idea.
thanks.

 

[Bert_]

The lube just makes a mess. I might consider it if it were a 140 foot run, no way i'd use it for a 40 foot run.

 

[sberry]

It will go easy, agree lube is a mess.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Two people will also make it much easier to pull. One to push and one to pull.

 

[HenryAZ]

Two people will also make it much easier to pull. One to push and one to pull.

I've always felt the pusher is the more important person. He/she can make sure the wire spools off without kinks, and if any obstruction/stoppage is felt, he/she can pull back a bit to try and clear it.

 

[grounded-b]

The insulation on the wire makes a big difference also... Older wire - solid TW is larger in diameter and has a higher coefficient of friction. New wire is insulated with THHN/THWN, the N stands for "nylon", much more slippery and smaller in diameter, for the same wire gauge.

Steve

 

[ard]

As long as you are the puller, lube isnt messy....

also dont apply to the first foot or two, dont apply to the end 2 ft, shouldnt be a mess.

But agree, prolly not needed.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Use a lady finger and slick rope that won't break.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Use a lady finger and slick rope that won't break.

For 40' of #10?
It's not like it's 4/0

(EDIT) I've PUSHED a 40' run with a 90 on the end of 3-#8 through 1/2"EMT, without lube or a fishtape, and it was easy

 

[MattT]

The OP is probably gonna need one of these for such a difficult pull

 

[Norcal]

Just pull the wire and be done with it, no need to overthink this.

 

[ford33]

I hope the OP has the wire pulled by now. It will take less time to pull the wires than read these replies.

Just get it done.

 

[scout4bta]

I hope the OP has the wire pulled by now. It will take less time to pull the wires than read these replies.

Just get it done.

Actually been putting in effort to get the swamp cooler up and running before it gets too hot here, and put in a sub-panel for more circuits.
I do appreciate all of the comments on the "pulling" so I'll be running the conduit for the compressor next.