{"id":30186,"date":"2023-05-11T16:16:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T20:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idealelectricalinc.com\/an-invention-born-of-necessity-fish-tape\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T10:25:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:25:44","slug":"an-invention-born-of-necessity-fish-tape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idealelectricalinc.com\/en-ca\/an-invention-born-of-necessity-fish-tape\/","title":{"rendered":"An Invention Born of Necessity: The Fish Tape"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Some time ago, a resourceful electrician discovered that getting conductors through tight spaces could be simplified by \u201cfishing\u201d a stiff length of wire through the cavity first to pull those stubborn conductors through. The basic function and purpose of fish tape has remained unchanged throughout the years, but the technology, ergonomics, and specialization have improved enormously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fish tape tends to be an unsung hero of the electrician\u2019s tool lineup. Many of us readily admit that the abuse our fish tape endures is more significant\u2014constantly being dropped on bare concrete, their cases beaten and blemished\u2014all while doing one of the most important jobs that electricians are tasked to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You probably find fish tape useful for any situation in which you need to route conductors through a hard-to-access area, and of course are particularly useful through plastic or metal conduit. Commercial and industrial electricians use them to tackle long conductor runs through pre-bent conduit. Residential electricians use them for routing through attics, walls, and difficult-to-reach tight spaces. Tape lengths range from 25\u201350 feet for short-run work and 100- and 200-foot lengths for larger projects.<\/p>\n\n\n
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The IDEAL Difference<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There\u2019s wide variety of options to choose from when considering a fish tape purchase, and that includes manufacturers. IDEAL has been an electrician-focused company for over a century, and our products are built to the rigorous requirements that professionals expect. We simply make the best-in-class fish tapes, and it shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enclosed in a durable plastic housing, our fish tape reels are designed to withstand the abuse that a real professional will undoubtedly throw at them. We\u2019ve drop-tested our tapes, run them over with work trucks, and tossed them onto concrete floors countless times. They\u2019re built to withstand this type of abuse, so they can be depended upon every time you show up at the job site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both tape payout and easy retrieval is dictated by the case design. Our Tuff-Grip\u2122 cases are engineered for smooth, quick retrieval, while also preventing kinks. With ergonomically designed handles, they\u2019re slip-resistant and can be handled from any angle, even when wearing gloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For added convenience, our tapes come with laser-etched 12\u201d increment markers, allowing you to instantly measure conduit or conductor length. This expands their usage as an installation tool since they empower electricians to measure more exactly and reduce jobsite waste.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Selecting Your Fish Tape<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fishing conductors can be a frustrating task, so picking the correct tool for the job is critical. With a variety of different tape ends, leaders, and reels, it\u2019s important to understand the differences between all of them, and in which situations they\u2019re appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a DIYer, perhaps you want a small hand-sized tape that can be fed out easily for small jobs around the house. For those doing light residential work where energized circuits may not be present, a basic but hefty mid-length blued steel tape may do the trick. A discerning pro could be a bit pickier due to the fact they may be working around potentially live circuits and in environments where moisture may be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tape length and tensile strength are of paramount importance when selecting the right type of fish tape. In some commercial installations, up to 15 wires at once might be pulled into a new empty conduit run\u2014so strength matters. With larger conduit, fishing materials need to be stiffer to prevent kinks and hang-ups with fishing or pulling. Some types of tape bend well forward and backward, while others make lateral moves easier, making challenging runs through numerous conduit bends a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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