Cabling-- using existing in wall cables as aides to pulling new cables 1

[attwellg]

looking to run an additional speaker cable behind a finsihed wall; there are already cables run back there; a least a composite video cable; having no luck trying to fish a new cable through-- anyone have any suggestions how to get new cable through -- thinking about using the existing cables to pull a fish tape/line through but little reluctant to do so in case I can't get the existing cable back in its original place after pulling the fish through?

 

[kwing112000]

I have done this many times. Tape a pull string to the end of the cable hanging out of the wall then pull it up to the top. Then pull original cable back down with more string so you have the cable and a string in the wall then pull new cable down.

 

[attwellg]

thanks for the suggestion; any tips on how to make sure the strings don't come undone leaving me with nothing in the wall?

 

[pbxn]

Do not just tie the pull sting around cable once, there is alot in walls that can cause a clump of wires, or tape to get hung up. I normally start the pull string at least 10" up the length of the cable, and sort of loop the string around the cable every few inches until it ends at the end of the cable. The loops act as tension on the cable while your pulling. Then tape the string to the cable, flat no clumps down the length of the cable. Then the next best tip is to pull your old cable slowly, and if possible have someone on the ground guiding the cable/string. If you really feel frisky with this, tie the string to the existing cable, then extend that same pull string to your new cable, now you have killed two birds with one stone, as you have a future pull string and cable in one pull.

 

[SYQUEST]

Wire Pulling Lubricant is also good to use, even when there is no conduit. You want to reduce all friction so there is as little as possible. That can reduce the chance of a hangup tremendously!

Hope this helps!

....JIM....