Technical Foundation
What Is a Cable Pulling Jaw Grip?
A cable pulling grip (also called a cable sock or Kellems grip) is a tubular wire mesh sleeve that tightens around a cable or conduit as tension is applied, converting axial pull force into a distributed clamping grip along the mesh's length rather than concentrating stress at a single attachment point — critical for pulling cable through conduit runs without damaging the cable jacket or insulation. Split-jaw grips open along their length to be installed mid-cable without threading over an end, useful when the cable end isn't accessible.
Grip sizing is defined by a diameter range rather than a single dimension, since the mesh must be sized close enough to the cable's actual diameter to generate adequate clamping force as it's pulled — too large a range mismatch and the mesh won't tighten sufficiently, risking slippage under load. Rated pulling capacity must exceed the actual pull tension expected for the run length, cable weight, and friction, with a safety margin, since grip failure during a pull risks both the cable and nearby personnel.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Diameter Range | Grips are sized to overlapping diameter ranges | Cable must fall within the grip's rated range for the mesh to generate adequate clamping force |
| Rated Pulling Capacity | From a few hundred to several thousand lbs | Must exceed calculated pull tension (weight, friction, run length) with a safety margin |
| Grip Style | Closed mesh (thread-over) vs. split jaw (mid-cable install) | Split jaw allows installation without access to a free cable end |
| Mesh Material | Galvanized steel, stainless steel | Stainless resists corrosion in wet, underground, or outdoor conduit pulls |
| Eye/Attachment Type | Closed eye, swivel eye, or hook attachment | Swivel eyes reduce cable twist transfer during long or winding pulls |
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Applications
Where Cable Pulling Jaw Grips Get Used
Cable pulling jaw grips are specified anywhere a cable or conduit run needs to be pulled or supported without a fastened attachment damaging the cable.
Electrical Conduit Cable Pulling
Wire mesh pulling grips attaching cable to a pull rope or winch line for conduit installation runs.
Utility & Underground Cable Installation
Heavy-capacity pulling grips used in underground duct bank cable pulls over long distances.
Telecommunications Cable Installation
Cable pulling socks used to install fiber and communication cable through conduit and cable trays.
Wire Rope & Rigging Support
Support grips used to relieve strain on wire rope terminations and cable support points.
Industrial Cable Tray Installation
Split jaw grips used to pull heavy power cable through cable tray runs in industrial facilities.
Elevator & Hoisting Cable Work
Wire mesh grips used as temporary support or pulling attachments on elevator and hoist cable installations.
FAQ
Cable Pulling Jaw Grips Questions, Answered
What's the difference between a split jaw grip and a closed mesh grip?
A closed mesh grip must be threaded over a free cable end before it can be positioned, which requires end access; a split jaw grip opens along its length so it can be wrapped around and closed mid-cable, making it the practical choice when the cable end isn't accessible or when installing the grip partway along an already-fed run.
How do I know if a cable falls within a grip's rated diameter range?
Manufacturers publish a min-max diameter range for each grip size — measure the actual cable or conduit outer diameter and confirm it falls within that published range, since a cable near the low end of the range may not generate enough clamping force, and one above the high end may not fit or seat properly in the mesh.
How is required pulling capacity calculated for a cable pull?
Pulling tension depends on cable weight per foot, pull length, friction from conduit bends, and any incline, and is typically calculated using standard cable-pulling tension formulas or software before selecting a grip rated with margin above that calculated tension — pulling with a grip rated too close to the calculated tension risks failure mid-pull.
Why would I choose a swivel-eye grip over a fixed eye?
A swivel eye allows the cable to rotate slightly relative to the pulling line during the pull, which reduces twist building up in the cable — this matters on longer or winding conduit runs where a fixed eye would transfer accumulating twist directly into the cable, potentially damaging it.
Can cable pulling grips be reused after a pull?
Many mesh grips can be reused if inspected and found free of broken strands, deformation, or excessive wear at the eye and mesh, but a grip that shows any of those signs — or one used at or near its rated capacity repeatedly — should be retired rather than risked on a future pull.
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