TIL I've run over 500 miles of wire in the last three years

I was cleaning out my van and added up all my old spool tags. It came to 512 miles, which is like driving from Chicago to Nashville. That's just the low voltage stuff for sensors and keypads. It hit me how much of this job is just plain old pulling wire through walls and attics. You think it's all about programming panels, but it's really about getting from point A to point B without tearing up a house. Has anyone else ever added up their total wire run and been shocked by the number?

3 comments

3 Comments

averywilliams20d ago

Yeah, that's a crazy number when you add it up. I started using a laser measure to get real distances before a job, helps cut down on leftover wire you end up eating. Labeling every single pull with a sharpie on both ends saves so much headache later.

thomas_palmer18d ago

Sharpie on both ends is a lifesaver, especially when you're dealing with a bundle of identical wires. I keep a small notepad in my van to jot down the circuit number next to each wire label as I pull it, which saves a ton of time when you're terminating later.

annas8720d ago

Honestly, I don't see the point in counting it all up. That just sounds like extra paperwork on top of a long day. The job gets done, the wire gets used, and the client pays the bill. Knowing the exact mileage doesn't make the attic any cooler or the crawl space any drier.