Mechanical Wire and Cable Feeders

A mechanical wire and cable feeder is an equipment designed to streamline cable installation processes and engineered to minimize ergonomic injuries associated with manual cable pulling. It contains a user interface with controls that allow electricians to guide cables seamlessly through conduits and pathways. By replacing traditional labor-intensive methods, this equipment reduces the probability of physical strain and risk of repetitive stress injuries that often afflict workers in this field. The mechanical wire and cable feeder also reduces the amount of electricians involved in the wire pull and significantly improves quality and productivity of installations.

Description:

A mechanical wire and cable feeder is an equipment designed to streamline cable installation processes and engineered to minimize ergonomic injuries associated with manual cable pulling. It contains a user interface with controls that allow electricians to guide cables seamlessly through conduits and pathways. By replacing traditional labor-intensive methods, this equipment reduces the probability of physical strain and risk of repetitive stress injuries that often afflict workers in this field. The mechanical wire and cable feeder also reduces the amount of electricians involved in the wire pull and significantly improves quality and productivity of installations.

A mechanical wire and cable feeder, such as the Maxis® Feeder by Southwire®, incorporates a range of features that enhance its efficiency and usability (figure 1). Specifically tailored to accommodate Southwire® SIMpull® wire, the feeder ensures optimal compatibility with the wire type. The capability for both forward and reverse feeding, coupled with variable speed control of up to 30 feet per minute, offers adaptability during cable installation processes. To facilitate seamless operation, the Maxis cable feeder can be paired with Southwire® Triggers™ Wireless Safety switch System remote foot switches, enabling simultaneous control over both feeding and pulling actions. 

Figure 1. The Maxis® Feeder by Southwire. (Photo courtesy of Southwire Company, LLC.)

The inclusion of solid heavy-duty rubber tires and swivel casters ensures maneuverability on the jobsite as well as eliminates concerns about tire punctures. Furthermore, the built-in digital footage meter monitors the approximate length of the conductor being fed (figure 2).

Figure 2. A worker monitoring the Maxis® Feeder during installation. (Photo courtesy of Southwire Company, LLC.)

Technical specifications
Height: 36.0 inch
Width: 43.0 inch
Depth: 32.0 inch
Weight: 360.0 pounds
Rated capacity: up to 1,000 pounds

Risks Addressed:

Stressful hand and wrist activity can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as muscle strains; tendonitis, which is inflammation of elbow and wrist tendons; or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is compression of a wrist nerve, resulting in finger numbness and loss of hand strength.

Prolonged bending of the back while feeding wire through conduits can cause injury to muscles, nerves, discs and ligaments of the low back. Non-specific low back pain is not the result of a fall or some other acute traumatic injury, so it can be difficult to identify a specific event that led to the injury. Continuous work in a stooped position can lead to low back muscle strain, ligament sprain, a bulging or herniated disc, or other back problems.

How Risks are Reduced:

There have not been independent published studies measuring the effect of mechanical wire and cable feeders. However, safety and health experts believe there is a reduction in risk. Independent studies have shown an association between MSDs and risk factors such as forceful hand exertions and awkward postures (Bernard et al., 1997). Forceful pulling has also been associated with increased risk of low back injury. According to Hunter et al. (2009), pulling large and heavy cables over long distances and in awkward locations can present a high risk for developing MSDs. 

By using a mechanical device to complement the forceful part of pulling wires and cables, this solution can help reduce stressful hand and wrist activity by eliminating the need to manually handle and feed wires and cables.

By standing while working, the spine and knees will remain in a neutral position, minimizing strain and muscle fatigue. Biomechanical research shows that high compression forces occur in the spine while stooping, and that sustained or repeated flexion of the spine may decrease the stability of the lower back and increase the risk of fatigue, leaving the back more vulnerable to injury. This solution provides a constant feeding force minimizing the need for workers to repetitively stoop to adjust wire and cable bundles, which allows workers to remain in more comfortable postures.

Contributors:

Jean Christophe Le, MPH - CPWR The Center for Construction Research and Training
Jerry Rivera - Washington, DC NECA chapter
Terry Sage - Freestate Electric

Hazards Addressed:

Availability

Southwire Company, LLC.
To obtain information, visit Maxis® Feeder or contact 1-800-444-1700

Return on Investment

To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.