Robotic Cable Pulling in Conduit Systems

Conduit pipes are commonly used to contain electrical and signal cables within buildings. The length of cables used in each project varies widely, ranging from hundreds of metres in smaller residential developments to hundreds of kilometres in larger buildings such as hospitals. 

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Conduit systems can either be installed as exposed surface-mounted structures or be concealed within concrete. Once the pipes are assembled and the conduit containment system is in place, the electrician will then install the cables. This is usually done by inserting a wire spring into the pipes and pulling it through from the point of entry to the point of exit. Thereafter, a cable is attached to the wire spring, and the electrician will then pull the wire spring in the opposite direction, pulling the cable through the pipes. 

However, it is common for wire springs to get stuck at sharp bends and angles, as seen in the diagram below. When such situations cannot be resolved, workers will have to hack into the concrete walls and ceilings to install, maintain, or replace cables, resulting in additional time and resources spent.

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DIMeLED is looking for a solution that can automatically thread cables through complex pipes and trunking.

The solution should:

• Be able to pull the pilot cable through existing conduit systems with complex bends; and
• Reduce no of manpower involved in the cable installation process.

DIMeLED will provide opportunities to conduct trials of the solution on their projects where installation of conduit systems and pulling of cables is involved.