Cable Pulling Tension Calculator

Calculate pulling tension and sidewall pressure for cable installations.

NEC minimum per Article 358.28

Friction Coefficients

Lubricant Coefficient
No Lubricant0.50
Standard Lubricant0.35
Heavy-Duty0.25
Polymer/Gel0.15

Maximum Pulling Tensions by Conductor Size

Size THHN (lbs) XHHW (lbs) Weight (lbs/ft)
4/0 AWG168021000.64
3/0 AWG132816600.51
2/0 AWG105613200.40
1/0 AWG84010500.32
250 kcmil200025000.85
350 kcmil280035001.10
500 kcmil400050001.60

Tensions based on conductor-only pull. Maximum sidewall pressure: 500 lbs/ft for thermoplastic, 1000 lbs/ft for thermoset.