A come-along clamp (also called a wire grip or pulling grip) is a temporary tool used to pull, tension, or hold conductors, cables, or wire ropes during installation. Choosing the right one depends on several factors:
Key Points for Selection
Cable / Conductor Type
Bare conductor (ACSR, AAAC, copper, etc.) → Use conductor come-along clamps with smooth or serrated jaws designed not to damage strands.
Insulated cable → Use special lined or round-jaw grips that won’t cut into insulation.
Wire rope / steel cable → Use grips rated for steel wire rope, usually with hardened teeth.
Diameter Range
Each clamp is specified for a minimum and maximum cable diameter (e.g., 5–16 mm, 10–32 mm).
Make sure your cable falls within that exact range. Too small = slipping; too large = won’t fit.
Rated Load / Safe Working Load (SWL)
Clamps are rated by Maximum Safe Load or Rated Capacity (e.g., 2 tons, 5 kN).
Choose a clamp with a capacity higher than the maximum tension expected during pulling.
Apply a safety factor (commonly *2–3 over expected pulling force).
Jaw Design
Flat / smooth jaws: for soft conductors, avoid strand damage.
Serrated / toothed jaws: for steel wire rope, firm grip.
Lined jaws: for insulated cable, protect the sheath.
Material & Build
High-strength alloy steel or forged steel for heavy duty.
Lighter aluminum models available for overhead line work.
Standards / Certification
Look for products compliant with ASTM, ANSI, or IEC standards depending on your region.
Reputable brands (Klein, Greenlee, Cummins, etc.) often provide tested ratings.
Special Features (if needed)
Hot-line grips (with insulating handles) for live-line work.
Automatic grips that release when tension is slackened.
Locking mechanisms for extra security.
Example:
Installing 16 mm² copper conductor (bare) → choose a conductor come-along clamp rated for 5–20 mm diameter, 2 ton load, smooth jaws.
Pulling 12 mm wire rope → choose a wire-rope grip for 10–13 mm range, serrated jaws, 3 ton capacity.
Come-Along Clamp Selection Chart
| Cable / Wire Type | Diameter Range (typical) | Jaw Type | Rated Capacity (common) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare conductor (ACSR, AAAC, copper, etc.) | 3 – 32 mm | Smooth or light-serrated | 1 – 5 ton | Prevents strand damage; used in transmission & distribution line stringing |
| Insulated cable (LV/MV power cable) | 6 – 40 mm | Lined / round jaws | 1 – 3 ton | Protects sheath; never use serrated jaws |
| Steel wire rope | 5 – 38 mm | Serrated / toothed | 2 – 10 ton | High grip strength; for rigging, hoisting, pulling |
| Messenger cable / guy wire | 3 – 20 mm | Serrated / light-serrated | 1 – 5 ton | Choose grip to match strand profile |
| Fiber optic / communication cable | 8 – 22 mm | Special lined jaws / mesh grip | 0.5 – 2 ton | Avoids crushing delicate jacket |
| Flat cable / busbar | Depends on profile | Flat-jaw clamp | 0.5 – 2 ton | Rare; used for specialty installs |
A come-along clamp (also called a wire grip or pulling grip) is a temporary tool used to pull, tension, or hold conductors, cables, or wire ropes during installation. Choosing the right one depends on several factors:
Key Points for Selection
Cable / Conductor Type
Bare conductor (ACSR, AAAC, copper, etc.) → Use conductor come-along clamps with smooth or serrated jaws designed not to damage strands.
Insulated cable → Use special lined or round-jaw grips that won’t cut into insulation.
Wire rope / steel cable → Use grips rated for steel wire rope, usually with hardened teeth.
Diameter Range
Each clamp is specified for a minimum and maximum cable diameter (e.g., 5–16 mm, 10–32 mm).
Make sure your cable falls within that exact range. Too small = slipping; too large = won’t fit.
Rated Load / Safe Working Load (SWL)
Clamps are rated by Maximum Safe Load or Rated Capacity (e.g., 2 tons, 5 kN).
Choose a clamp with a capacity higher than the maximum tension expected during pulling.
Apply a safety factor (commonly *2–3 over expected pulling force).
Jaw Design
Flat / smooth jaws: for soft conductors, avoid strand damage.
Serrated / toothed jaws: for steel wire rope, firm grip.
Lined jaws: for insulated cable, protect the sheath.
Material & Build
High-strength alloy steel or forged steel for heavy duty.
Lighter aluminum models available for overhead line work.
Standards / Certification
Look for products compliant with ASTM, ANSI, or IEC standards depending on your region.
Reputable brands (Klein, Greenlee, Cummins, etc.) often provide tested ratings.
Special Features (if needed)
Hot-line grips (with insulating handles) for live-line work.
Automatic grips that release when tension is slackened.
Locking mechanisms for extra security.
Example:
Installing 16 mm² copper conductor (bare) → choose a conductor come-along clamp rated for 5–20 mm diameter, 2 ton load, smooth jaws.
Pulling 12 mm wire rope → choose a wire-rope grip for 10–13 mm range, serrated jaws, 3 ton capacity.
Come-Along Clamp Selection Chart
| Cable / Wire Type | Diameter Range (typical) | Jaw Type | Rated Capacity (common) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare conductor (ACSR, AAAC, copper, etc.) | 3 – 32 mm | Smooth or light-serrated | 1 – 5 ton | Prevents strand damage; used in transmission & distribution line stringing |
| Insulated cable (LV/MV power cable) | 6 – 40 mm | Lined / round jaws | 1 – 3 ton | Protects sheath; never use serrated jaws |
| Steel wire rope | 5 – 38 mm | Serrated / toothed | 2 – 10 ton | High grip strength; for rigging, hoisting, pulling |
| Messenger cable / guy wire | 3 – 20 mm | Serrated / light-serrated | 1 – 5 ton | Choose grip to match strand profile |
| Fiber optic / communication cable | 8 – 22 mm | Special lined jaws / mesh grip | 0.5 – 2 ton | Avoids crushing delicate jacket |
| Flat cable / busbar | Depends on profile | Flat-jaw clamp | 0.5 – 2 ton | Rare; used for specialty installs |
