Chapter 47

Cable Pulling Systems

The accurate prediction of cable pulling force is essential for the design of cable conduit systems.
Application of this knowledge makes it possible to avoid over-conservative design practices and achieve
substantial capital savings during construction.

The Cable Pulling (CP) Presentation of ETAP is used to determine the tensions and the sidewall pressures
a cable is subjected to when pulled into a conduit. The Cable Pulling Module is a fully integrated part of
ETAP, enabling it to use existing cables within the one-line diagram or the underground cable raceway
systems. It can account for cables of different sizes with complex pulling path geometry. A point-by-point
calculation method is performed at every conduit bend and pull point. Both the forward and reverse
pulling tensions are calculated to determine the preferred direction of pull.

Some of the main features of the Cable Pulling Module of ETAP are listed below:

• Pull existing one-line diagram cables and/or equipment cables

• Create and pull new cables (cables not contained in the one-line diagram)
• Calculate the pulling tension at every conduit bend and pull point
• Calculate the forward and reverse pulling tensions
• Calculate the maximum tension limited by the sidewall pressure at every conduit bend
• Compare the maximum tension limitations against the calculated pulling tensions
• Calculate the maximum total allowable pulling tension
• Calculate the total length of run (pull)
• Calculate the conduit percent fill
• Check the conduit jamming situation
• Account for the equivalent tension for the cables pulled from the reel
• Allow the segments to have both nonzero slopes and horizontal bends (at the ends of segments)
• Pull Path Geometric View configuration showing segment and bend plots
• Conduit Cross-Section View configuration showing conduit and cable plots
• Display and print 3-D diagram of pulling path geometry

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-1 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Presentation

47.1 Presentation
The CP Presentation is composed of three views. They are:

1) Pull Path Geometric View

2) Conduit Cross-Section View
3) 3-D View

The Pull Path Geometric View allows you to edit the pulling segments/bends of a cable pull. The
Conduit Cross-Section View is provided primarily to edit the properties of the cables and the conduit
(which the cables will be pulled into). The 3-D View is a specialized application for the three-
dimensional display of pulling path geometry. The CP Presentation allows you to graphically arrange
cables, segments, and bends, for the purpose of providing a physical layout of the conduit system for
Cable Pulling Design Studies.

Each CP Presentation depicts a different conduit and cable arrangement. You can create an unlimited
number of CP Presentations, where each presentation acts independently. As with the other elements in
ETAP, the CP Presentation supports all of the Base/Data Revisions with checker capability. The active
revision is controlled from the main ETAP window.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-2 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Toolbar

47.2 Toolbar
The Cable Pulling toolbar will appear on the screen when you open a CP Presentation by clicking the
Cable Pulling Systems icon on the System toolbar. This toolbar has seven function keys as shown below.

Existing Cable

New Cable

New Segment

Cable Pulling Calculate Cable Pull

Systems Icon
Report Manager

Summary and Warning

Display Options

Existing Cable
Click on the Existing Cable button to place a cable from the one-line diagram or the underground
raceway system inside the Conduit Cross-Section View. After a cable is dropped inside the conduit, a
dialog box will be displayed. Using this dialog box, you can select a cable from the list of cables that exist
in the one-line diagram or the underground raceway system.

New Cable
Click on the New Cable button to create a new cable that will appear only in the cable pulling system.
This will enable you to place it in the Conduit Cross-Section View. For more information on new cables,
see CP Cable Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-3 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Toolbar

New Segment
Click on the New Segment button to automatically add a new segment and bend to the Pull Path
Geometric View. For more information on segments/bends, see Pull Path Geometric View.

Calculate Cable Pull

Select a Study Case from the Study Case menu. (See Study Case Editor for details.) Click on the Calc
Cable Pull button to perform the point-by-point calculation at every conduit bend and pull point. Both the
forward and reverse pulling tensions are calculated. The Cable Pulling study results will appear in the Pull
Path Geometric View and can be viewed in Output Report tabulated formats.

Report Manager
Click on this button to open the Cable Pulling Report Manager dialog box. From here you can select a
variety of pre-formatted Output Reports to review. The Report Manager provides five formats for report
text. They are Crystal Reports format Viewer, PDF format, MS Word format, Rich Text format and
MS Excel format. Select a report type and click the OK button to display the Output Report. See Output
Reports for details.

You can also select output files from the Output Report pull-down list on the Study Case Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-4 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Toolbar

Summary and Warning

Click on the Summary and Alert button to view the alarms and warnings for the Cable Pulling
calculation. See Cable Pulling Analysis for additional details.

Display Options
Click on the Display Options button to change the appearance of the Conduit Cross-Section View. See
Cable Pulling Display Options for details.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-5 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Study Case Editor

47.3 Study Case Editor

The CP Study Case Editor contains the tolerances for cable weight and diameter, 3-cable configuration
and the equivalent length of cable for pulling off the reel. ETAP allows you to create and save an
unlimited number of Study Cases for each type of study. Just like all other ETAP study types, you can
easily switch between different CP Study Cases. This feature is designed to organize your study efforts
and save you time.

To create a new CP Study Case, go to the Study Case menu in the CP Presentation window, and select
Create New to open the CP Study Case Editor, which is a copy of the default Study Case. The new Study
Case will be added to the navigator inside the Study Case Editor.

Study Case ID
The Study Case ID is shown in this entry field. You can rename a Study Case by deleting the old ID and
entering a new ID. A Study Case ID can be up to 25 alphanumeric characters long. Use the navigator
button at the bottom of the editor to go from one Study Case to another.

Alert
Check this box to automatically show the result window for Summary and Warnings.

Cable Tolerance
In this group, you can enter the tolerances for cable weight and diameter in percent (%).

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-6 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Study Case Editor

Weight
The CP calculation will increase the cable weight by the tolerance value specified here. You may enter a
value ranging from negative 20% to 20%. The default value is 5%.

Outside Diameter
The CP calculation will increase the cable diameter by the tolerance value specified here. You may enter
a value ranging from negative 20% to 20%. The default value is 5%.

3/C Cable Configuration

You can specify the configuration type for 3/C (three conductor) cables in the conduit in this group. The
cradled configuration usually occurs when the cable ratio D/d >= 3, while the triangular configuration
normally occurs for D/d <= 2.51. D/d is the conduit to cable ratio, or the ratio of the internal diameter of
the conduit to the cable diameter. When D/d is between 2.51 and 3.0, the cables can have either of these
two formations. The CP Presentation provides the cradled/triangular option feature so that you can
simulate either formation, particularly for this range. You may however, specify either configuration, for
any cable ratio in order to find out the maximum possible cable tension. Ratios between 2.74 and 2.95 are
best avoided however, to prevent jamming.

Cradled
Check this button to use a cradled cable configuration.

Triangular
Check this button to use a triangular cable configuration.

Max. Allowable Tension

You can specify the Reduction Factors for computing pulling tension limits in this group. In case of a
multiple-conductor cable, the entered permissible maximum pulling tension (in lbs/kcmil or kg/mm2) is
for each conductor. In the Cable Pulling calculation, the cable permissible maximum pulling tension will
be computed by multiplying this value by the number of conductors. See Modeling and Calculation
Method for their usage.

RF1
Enter the reduction factor in %, for the cables whose number is less than or equal to 3.

RF2
Enter the reduction factor in %, for the single-core cables whose number is greater than 3.

RF3
Enter the reduction factor in %, for the multiple-core cables whose number is greater than 3.

Reel to Conduit
Enter the equivalent length of cable for pulling off the reel in ft/m.

Pulling Method
The default method by which the cable is pulled is the Pulling Eye Method.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-7 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Create a New Presentation

47.4 Create a New Presentation

There are two methods of creating new CP presentations. The first method of creating a new CP
Presentation is to go to the Project View, right-click on the Cable Pulling Systems folder, and select
Create New. Double-click on the new button that appears to open the graphical user interface window
with a new CP Presentation. When a new ETAP project is created, a default CP Presentation does not
exist.

The second method is to switch back to the main ETAP application window and click on create new
presentation as shown below.

The unit system for a new CP Presentation is determined by the project file settings. That is, when a new
CP Presentation is created, its default unit is that of the project from which it was created. Once a
Presentation has been created, its unit system is fixed.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-8 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pull Editor

47.5 Cable Pull Editor

The Cable Pull Editor can be accessed from the Project View by right-clicking on the Cable Pulling
presentation and selecting properties from the appearing menu.

47.5.1 Info Page

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-9 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pull Editor

ID
Enter the ID for your cable pulling presentation using a maximum of 25 alphanumeric characters.

Cable Pulling Presentation Button

Press this button to open the cable pulling presentation. In this presentation, you will be able to design
your cable pulling system.

47.5.2 Remarks Page

User-Defined Info
These fields allow you to keep track of additional data associated with this component. The names of the
User-Defined (UD) fields can be changed from the Settings option in the Project menu in the Menu bar.

UD Field 1 (Eq. Ref.)

This is a number field with the default name Eq. Ref. You can change the name of this field and enter the
equipment reference number or any other number here, using up to five digits.

UD Field 2 (Last Maint.)

This is an alphanumeric field with the default name Last Maint. You can change the name of this field
and enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

UD Field 3 (Next Maint.)

This is an alphanumeric field with the default name Next Maint. You can change the name of this field
and enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-10 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pull Editor

UD Field 4 (Tests Req.)

This is an alphanumeric field with the default name Tests Req. You can change the name of this field and
enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

UD Field A5
This is an alphanumeric field with the default name UD Field A5. You can change the name of this field
and enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

UD Field A6
This is an alphanumeric field with the default name UD Field A6. You can change the name of this field
and enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 12 alphanumeric characters.

UD Field A7
This is an alphanumeric field with the default name UD Field A7. You can change the name of this field
and enter any additional data for this element here, using up to 18 alphanumeric characters.

Drawing/Diagram

One-Line
Enter the name or ID of a one-line drawing or diagram associated with this element, using up to 50
alphanumeric characters. An example is the manufacturer diagram or specifications for this element.

Reference
Enter the name or ID of a reference drawing or document for this element, using up to 50 alphanumeric
characters.

Manufacturer

Name
Enter the manufacturer’s name for this element in this field, using up to 25 alphanumeric characters.

Purchasing Date
Enter the date of purchase for this element in this field, using up to 8 alphanumeric characters.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-11 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pull Editor

47.5.3 Comment Page

Enter any additional data or comments regarding condition, maintenance, tests, or studies associated with
this element. This field can be up to 64KB with a default size of 4KB. To increase the size of this field,
refer to the entries in the ETAPS.INI file. When entering information in the page, use Ctrl+Enter to start a
new paragraph. Standard key combinations such as Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V can be used to cut, copy,
and paste information.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-12 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Pull Path Geometric View

47.6 Pull Path Geometric View

Using the Pull Path Geometric View, you can specify the names, lengths, and slopes for straight
segments, and specify the location ID’s, horizontal angle changes, and radii for conduit bends.

The Pull Path Geometric View is the template for the geometry through which the pulled cable will travel.

47.6.1 Input Data

Any pull path geometry segment can have both different slopes and horizontal bend angles. This means
that there are absolutely no limitations on the pull path geometry.

Straight Segment
In this group, you can specify the names, lengths, and slopes for straight segments.

Segment Name
Enter the name of the conduit segment in this field, using up to 25 alphanumeric characters. Each conduit
is made up of a user-defined number of segments.

Length
Specifies the length of each straight conduit segment in ft/m. The total length of the conduit is comprised
of the sum of the segment lengths, as well as the bend lengths.

The length of a bend between two segments is calculated by ETAP, based on the bend radius and
horizontal bend angle between the two segments.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-13 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Pull Path Geometric View

Slope
The slope refers to the angle deviation from the horizontal in degrees. This angle is measured from the
horizontal plane, having possible values between -90 and 90 degrees.

Note: An uphill (+) slope will increase the forward pulling tension due to the effects of gravity. The
reverse is true for downhill (-) slopes.

ID
The starting location and ending location name can be entered in these fields.

Bend Segment
In this group, you can specify the location names, horizontal angle changes, and radii for bend segments.

Bend Location
Enter the name of the location where each bend occurs, using up to 25 alphanumeric characters.

Horizontal Angle
This is the turning or bending angle of the conduit at each bend in degrees. The angle is measured in the
horizontal plane, from the original cable direction. The possible values for this angle are between -90 and
90 degrees.

Bend Radius
The individual bend radius of each conduit bend in ft/m.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-14 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Pull Path Geometric View

47.6.2 Modifying the Pull Path Geometry

Select Segment
To select an existing segment in the Pull Path Geometric View, click on the segment button, and the
selected segment will turn blue. The properties of each segment appear in the fields directly above the
segment, and can be modified there.

Note: Every bend in the conduit is attached to the segment that appears immediately to the right of the
bend in the Pull Path Geometric View. The properties of each bend are listed directly below the bend, and
can be modified there.

Add Segment
Using the Cable Pulling toolbar, you can add new segments by clicking on the New Segment button. If a
segment is not selected (selected segments are blue in color) in the Pull Path Geometric View, new
segments will be placed at the end of the pull path. New segments are placed immediately to the left of a
selected segment.

Delete Segment
To delete a segment, click on the segment to select it, and then press Delete. The segment properties,
including the bend segment immediately to its left, will be permanently deleted.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-15 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Pull Path Geometric View

47.6.3 Creating a Pull Path

Creating a pull path using the Pull Path Geometry View is simple. Here is an example of a simple pull
path.

The geometry for the pull path can be outlined in the Pull Path Geometric View. Begin with a new (one
segment) path, and add three more. Then add the segment and bend data until the Pull Path Geometric
View appears as below. These two methods of presenting the pull path are equivalent.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-16 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

47.7 Conduit Cross-Section View

The Conduit Cross-Section View allows you to select conduit and cable characteristics for a Cable
Pulling Study. New cables, as well as cables existing in the one-line diagram to be pulled can be added
here.

47.7.1 Conduit
The single conduit displayed in the Conduit Cross-Section View is the conduit that will be used for
pulling calculations.

Conduit Editor
Double-click any location inside the conduit in the Conduit Cross-Section View to bring up the Conduit
Editor from which you can specify ID, type, size, diameter, thickness, and friction factors of the conduit.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-17 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

Info

Conduit ID
Enter the conduit name in this field, using up to 25 alphanumeric characters.

Type
Select the type of conduit material from the pull-down list. The type of material selected will affect the
outside diameter (OD) and thickness of the conduit. Material types are listed below:

• DB (Direct Burial)
• EB (Encasement Burial)
• Fiber
• Transite
• PVC
• Other

Dimension
In this group, you can specify the trade size, outside diameter, and thickness of the conduit.

Size
Select the conduit trade (nominal) size in inch/cm from the pull-down list. Depending on the material
type, OD and thickness will be adjusted automatically.

OD
Enter the conduit outside diameter inch/cm in this field. This measurement can be adjusted independently
of the nominal size and thickness.

Thickness
Enter the thickness of conduit in inch/cm in this field. This measurement can be adjusted independently of
the nominal size and OD.

Friction Factor
In this group, you can specify the friction factors for straight segments and bends of conduit.

Segments
Enter the friction factor for straight segments of conduit, in percent. The following is a table of typical
friction factor values for straight segments with adequate lubrication.

Cable Exterior Conduit Type

Material PVC Metallic Fiber Transite Concrete
Rubber 0.30 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.50
Lead 0.20 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.60
PVC 0.15 0.35 ---- ---- ----
Polyethylene 0.13 0.20 ---- ---- ----
Braid 0.13 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.50
Neoprene 0.13 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50
Skidwire ---- 0.173 ---- ---- ----

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-18 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

Bends
Enter the friction factor for conduit bends, as in percentage. This entry is provided for the cases where
different conduit materials are used for bends and straight segments.

% Fill
This field displays the fill percentage of the conduit.

47.7.2 Cables
No limit is placed on the number of cables that can be placed in a conduit in the Conduit Cross-Section
View. However, you cannot run a Cable Pulling calculation unless the cable(s) fit in the conduit.

Existing Cable
Select Existing Cable from the Cable Pulling toolbar. Click anywhere inside the conduit in the Conduit
Cross-Section View to place the cable. A prompt window will appear, with a drop-down menu containing
the cables that are present in the one-line diagram and U/G Raceways. Select the cable to be pulled, and
click OK. The engineering properties of the cable as they appear in the one-line diagram or U/G Raceway
will automatically be transferred to the CP Presentation. To change these properties, return to the one-line
diagram or U/G Raceway and modify them.

New Cable
Select New Cable from the Cable Pulling toolbar. Click anywhere inside the conduit in the Conduit
Cross-Section View to place the cable. A new cable will have no ties to the one-line diagram; its
properties can be modified directly from the CP Presentation, by means of the CP Cable Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-19 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

CP Cable Editor
Double-click on a cable in the Conduit Cross-Section View to open the CP Cable Editor from which you
can specify the characteristics of the cable.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-20 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

47.7.3 Info Page

The Info page is where you enter a cable ID, application type, connection type, length, and whether or not
the cable is to be included in the pulling calculation on this page.

Info
Enter cable name and application type in this section.

ID
Enter a unique ID with up to 25 alphanumeric characters in this field.

Cable
Select the cable application type. Choose from Power, Control, or Ground from the pull-down list.
• For Ground Conductor, ETAP places one conductor in the conduit.
• For 3-phase Power cables the program places 3 1/C Conductors or 1 3/C conductor.
• For Power cables, 1-phase the program places 2 1/C (Forward and return) conductors or 1 3/C
conductor (forward, return, and a spare).

Not included
Check this box to ignore the selected cable in the Cable Pulling calculation.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-21 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

Condition

Service
The operating condition can be set by clicking on the radio buttons for either In Service or Out of
Service. The engineering properties within the editor of an Out of Service element can be edited like an
In Service element; however, an Out of Service element will not be included in any system studies. When
the continuity check is activated, an Out of Service element is automatically color coded with the
deenergized color (theme manager). The default color for a deenergized element is grey.

Note: The In/Out of Service option is independent of the configuration status. Therefore, you can set a
branch to be In Service for the Base Data and Out of Service in Revision Data.

State
State is used to describe the service status of an element. Certain states have flexible service status like
As-Built, New, Future, Moved and Modified can be both In or Out of Service. Certain states have fixed
service status like Removed, Warehouse, Abandoned, Repair Shop and Other are out of service states.

Connection
Click on the appropriate button to specify the connection type of the cable in this group.

3 Phase
Check this box to choose a 3-phase cable.

1 Phase
Check this box to choose a single-phase cable.

Equipment

Tag #
This allows the user to enter the feeder tag in this field, using up to 25 alphanumeric characters.

Name
This allows the user to enter the equipment name, using up to 50 alphanumeric characters.

Description
This allows the user to enter the equipment description, using up to 100 alphanumeric characters.

Data Type
This field provides a convenient way to track data entry. Select one of the data types (such as
Estimate, Typical, Vendor, Final, etc.) from the pull-down list. As the data is updated, this field
can be changed to reflect the source of the latest data. There are a total of ten load types. To
change the data type names, navigate to the Project Menu, point to Settings and select Data
Type.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-22 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

Priority
Select the load priority of this machine from the drop-down list. This field can be used for load
priority, operating priority, load-shedding priority, etc. Ten different priorities are allowed. To
change priority names, from the Project Menu, point to Settings and select Load Priority.

Lock / Unlock
Click to lock / unlock the editor properties of the current element. When the editor properties are locked,
all engineering data is displayed as read-only expect condition information. The user can change
condition information (service & state) even though the element properties are locked.

Units

Length
Enter the length of the cable and select the unit from the pull-down list.

# /Phase
Enter the number of conductors per phase, i.e., if 2-3/C cables or 6-1/C cables are used, then the number
of conductors per phase is equal to two

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-23 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

47.7.4 Physical Page

You can specify the engineering properties of the cable on this page.

Dimensions

Size
Select the cable size in AWG/kcmil or mm2 from the pull-down list.

kV
Enter the nominal kV of the cable in this field.

# of C/C
Enter the number of conductors per cable in this field.

Cable OD
Enter the cable outside diameter inch/cm in this field.

Jacket Type
Select the jacket type from the pull-down list.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-24 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Conduit Cross-Section View

Max. Tension
You can specify the maximum allowable pulling tension and sidewall pressure in this group.

Pull
Enter the maximum allowable total tension in kg/mm2 or lbs/kcmil in this field.

Sidewall
Enter the maximum allowable sidewall pressure in kg/m or lbs/ft in this field.

Weight
Enter the cable weight in kg/km or lbs/1000ft. The weight will be adjusted for calculation conservatism
by the tolerance value specified in the Study Case Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-25 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling 3-D View

47.8 3-D View

The 3-D View is a three-dimensional, graphical summary of the data entered in the Pull Path Geometry
View. This view can be rotated 360 degrees around the vertical axis, and can be rotated around a
horizontal axis slightly for better perspective. The 3-D View is a graphical aid only, allowing the pull path
to be interpreted spatially. If a segment is selected from the Pull Path Geometric View, it will be
displayed in red in the 3-D View.

The 3-D View can also be plotted using a logarithmic scale, where each segment length shows as the log
of its actual length. Click on the display options button on the Cable Pulling toolbar to toggle between
Linear and Log scale.

The segments displayed in the 3-D can be color coded to visibly show the changes in orientation of the
conduit. Right-click on the 3-D view and select customize dialog for customizing the 3-D view.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-26 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pulling Analysis

47.9 Cable Pulling Analysis

To calculate the pulling tensions for an active configuration, click on the Calc Cable Pull button on the
Cable Pulling toolbar. The results of the calculation are displayed in the Pull Path Geometric View.

47.9.1 Results
Tensions
These are the calculated tensions for a cable being pulled through the conduit. The tension at each bend
location, as well as the total linear tension is displayed. Any results exceeding the maximum allowable
tensions will be flagged in red.

FWD Pull
Results are displayed for a cable being pulled in the forward direction (as entered in the Pull Path
Geometric View). The tension is measured in lbs/kg.

REV Pull
Results are displayed for a cable being pulled in the reverse direction in lbs/kg.

Max. Sidewall
The maximum calculated sidewall pressure at each bend location is displayed here. If any calculated
results exceed the maximum allowable sidewall pressure, they will be flagged in red.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-27 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Cable Pulling Analysis

47.9.2 Summary and Warning

Once a cable pulling calculation has completed, you can click on the Summary and Warning button on the
Cable Pulling toolbar. This will open the CP Alert View. A brief overview of the calculation results will
be displayed here. If the calculation resulted in any tensions that exceed specified limits, they will also be
displayed in the lower portion of the window in red.

Any limit or condition that has been exceeded will be shown in red in this window. The Alert View can
also be automatically displayed after a calculation completes, by clicking on the Auto Display checkbox
in the Study Case Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-28 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Display Options

47.10 Display Options

47.10.1 Info Page

Select the information annotations to be displayed on the Conduit Cross-Section View of Presentations.

Color
Select the color for the Cable/Conduit annotations to be displayed on the Conduit Cross-Section View of
Presentations.

Cable ID
Check this box to display the cable annotations.

Conduit ID
Check this box to display the cable annotations.

3D

Normal Scale
Check this button to plot the 3-D pulling path view in normal scale.

Log Scale
Check this button to plot the 3-D pulling path view in the Log scale.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-29 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Calculation Methods

47.11 Calculation Methods

The Cable Pulling Presentation of ETAP uses a general tension model and a comprehensive solution
method, which eliminates the limitation that non-horizontal segments cannot have horizontal bends. The
Cable Pulling Presentation is used to determine tensions and sidewall pressures that a cable is subjected to
when pulled through conduits. ETAP can account for cables of different sizes and allows complex pulling
path geometry. A point-by-point calculation method is performed at every conduit bend and pull point.
Both the forward and reverse pulling tensions are calculated to determine the preferred direction of pull.
In addition, the Cable Pulling Presentation uses the Pulling Cable Method of a pulling eye on a conductor.

Some fundamental formulas are shown below.

Maximum Allowable Pulling Tension, Tmc

Tmc = A ⋅ RF ⋅ N ⋅ S m

Where A is the cross-sectional area of conductor; N is the number of conductors; Sm is the maximum
allowable pulling stress; RF is the reduction factor for the maximum allowable tension. Values of RF are
determined as follows:

RF = (100 - RF1)/100 if the number of cables is less than or equal to 3

RF = (100 - RF2)/100 if the number of cables is greater than 3 and all cables are single-core
RF = (100 - RF3)/100 if the number of cables is greater than 3 and all cables are multiple-cores
RF = min {(100 - RF2)/100, (100 - RF3)/100} if the number of cables is greater than 3 and the cables
include both single-core and multiple-cores

Where RF1, RF2, RF3 are the input reduction factors in the Study Case Editor.

Pulling Tension
Pulling tensions for a horizontal section of conduit can be calculated by using:

T = N ⋅ V ⋅ FB ⋅ W ⋅ L

Where V is cable position factor; FB is the basic friction factor; W is the weight of conductor; L is the
length of conduit.

Maximum Tension Limited by the Sidewall Pressure

When a cable is pulled around bends, the “snubbing” effect may cause considerable sidewall pressure
against the inner arc of curvature. The maximum tension limited by the sidewall pressure can be given by:

Tmb = N ∗ R ( Pm / B) 2 − W 2

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-30 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Calculation Methods

Where R is the radius of bend curvature; Pm is the maximum allowable sidewall pressure for a specific
type of insulation; B is the sidewall correction factor, and N is the number of cables.

Jamming
When three cables are pulled into a conduit, they change their relative position in the conduit, especially
when being pulled around bends. When D/d is slightly less than 2.8, a jamming condition may occur,
which causes severe pressures on the cable insulation. Jamming obviously cannot occur when D/d > 3.0
and normally does not occur when D/d < 2.8. Because of a slight increase in conduit diameter when it is
bent, the D/d between 2.74 (40-percent conduit fill) and 2.95 (34.5-percent conduit fill) should be avoided
to eliminate jamming.

In ETAP, alerts are generated when the jamming ratio (D/d) is between 2.74 and 2.8. Warnings are
generated if the jamming ratio (D/d) is between 2.8 and 3.2.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-31 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Required Data

47.12 Required Data

To run a cable pulling study, you only need to provide CP related data, such as path geometry, conduit
characteristics, and cable properties. A summary of this data is given in this section.

Conduit Data
• Conduit outside diameter
• Thickness of conduit
• Friction factor for straight segments of conduit
• Friction factor for conduit bends

Cable Data
• Cable connection (3-phase or 1-phase)
• Number of conductors per phase
• Cable outside diameter
• Cable weight
• Maximum allowable tension
• Maximum allowable sidewall pressure

Pulling Configuration
• Individual lengths of straight segments of conduit
• Individual vertical slopes of straight segments of conduit
• Individual horizontal bend angles between two corresponding connected straight
• Individual radius of bend segments of conduit

System Data
• Tolerance for cable weight
• Tolerance for cable diameter
• Configuration type (cradled or triangular) for 3 cables
• Equivalent length of cable for pulling off the reel
• Three reduction factors

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-32 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Output Reports

47.13 Output Reports

Output Reports for the Cable Pulling Studies are available in different levels and are arranged into three
formats: Crystal Reports output format, display in the Pull Path Geometric View, and in the Summary and
Warning window display. Report Manager provides five formats for report text. They are Crystal
Reports format Viewer, PDF format, MS Word format, Rich Text format and MS Excel format.

47.13.1 Cable Pulling Report Manager

Click on the Report Manager button on the Cable Pulling toolbar to open the Cable Pulling Report
Manager. The Cable Pulling Report Manager provides different formats for Crystal Reports and consists
of three pages.

Complete Page
From this page you can select the report format that gives you the Complete Output Report.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-33 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Output Reports

Input Page
This page provides the formats for different input data.

Result Page
This page provides the formats for different calculation results.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-34 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Output Reports

47.13.2 Cable Pulling Crystal Report

If you have run a Cable Pulling calculation by clicking on the Report Manager button on the Study Case
toolbar or by selecting the Crystal Report format from the Cable Pulling toolbar, you will be able to open
and view the Crystal Reports output for the Cable Pulling Study.

The cable pulling study Crystal Report contains the following major sections:

Complete
This section contains the complete report, which contains all of the below reports in one document.

Input
This section reports the input data related to cables and conduit.

Cable Input Data

This section reports the input data related to cables that include the cable application type, number of
conductors per phase, cable size, cable outside diameter, cable weight, maximum allowable tension, and
maximum allowable sidewall pressure.

Conduit Input Data

This section reports the input data related to the conduit, which includes the conduit outside diameter,
thickness of conduit, friction factor for straight segments of conduit, and friction factor for conduit bends.

Input Parameters

This section reports the input data related to the study.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-35 ETAP 11.0 User Guide

Cable Pulling Output Reports

Result
This section reports the input data and results related to pulling configuration segments/bends, summary,
and warnings.

Operation Technology, Inc. 47-36 ETAP 11.0 User Guide