Available in 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-foot lengths, the fish tape is rolled up and stored in a round, plastic casing. The fish tape is manually pulled out of the casing and then is reeled up by rolling it back into the casing, though there are powered fish tapes that reel in the tape automatically.
What Fish Tape Is Used For
Fish tape is used for pulling:
Electrical wire through electrical conduits Electrical wire through holes in studs Electrical wire vertically from floor to floor Ethernet wire from room to room for Internet access or for home theaters Coaxial wire or speaker wire for audio systems or for home theaters
Safety Considerations
Always wear safety glasses when working with fish tape. Fish tape’s stiff metal wire can be dangerous if allowed to unreel all at once. The fish tape casing only needs to be opened when replacing the tape; otherwise, keep it sealed up. Take extreme care when opening the casing. All of the tape must be removed in advance. The new fish tape will have support ties around it that hold it into a coiled shape. Leave the ties in place until after the tape is safely in the casing. Then, remove the ties and close up the casing. Fish tape is often metal, so it is a conductor of electricity. Turn off electric circuits in the area where you’re working to avoid being injured by electricity. Non-conductive fiberglass fish tape is also available.
How to Use Fish Tape
Tips for Using Fish Tape
For long pulls or for going around corners, reduce friction on the wire by using wire-pulling lubricant. Work as a pair. One person pulls the wire back, while the other person uncoils the electrical wire and pushes it through. For cables with four or more wires, it helps to cut the wires to staggered lengths. When wrapped with tape, the bundle will be slimmer and easier to pull.
Fish Tape Maintenance and Repair
Well-maintained fish tape can last for many years. Because fish tape is subjected to stress and poor conditions within the wall, it does need occasional maintenance and repair. Follow the below guidelines to keep your fish tape in usable shape for as long as possible.
Never roll fish tape into the reel when it’s wet. To avoid rust, run wet tape through a towel as you reel it back. Even with dry fish tape, occasionally run the tape through a towel to clean it off.Straighten out kinks or sharp bends in the tape by gently forcing the tape backward by hand. To coax difficult fish tape to re-form, first apply heat with a butane torch. Then, re-form the tape with two pliers.Similarly, if the end of the fish tape loses its distinctive double-loop, apply the torch until the metal is red-hot. Then, use two needle-nose pliers to re-form the end.
