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Cable Pulling Tension Calculator — Bend & Sidewall Pressure

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Unit system Total cable / bundle weight per length Imperial: lb/ft. Metric: kg/m. Use finished manufacturer cable weight.Straight length before bend Straight length after bend Coefficient of friction μ Editable planning assumption; use validated cable/conduit/lubricant data where available.Weight correction factor 1.0 is a single/common-jacket baseline, not a universal multiple-cable value.Bend angle (degrees) Use 0 for a straight-only route.Bend centerline radius Imperial: ft. Metric: m. Required when bend angle is above zero.Starting / reel back-tension Imperial: lbf. Metric: kN.Manufacturer max pulling tension (optional) Imperial: lbf. Metric: kN. Zero disables comparison.Manufacturer max sidewall pressure (optional) Imperial: lbf/ft. Metric: kN/m. Zero disables comparison.

Calculated result

126 lbf best-direction tension

Forward final tension: 166.7 lbf

Reverse final tension: 126 lbf

Lower modeled direction: reverse (126 lbf)

Forward / reverse sidewall pressure at bend: 72.1 lbf/ft / 18 lbf/ft

Bend multiplier: e^(1 × 0.3 × 1.5708) = 1.602

Show the working

1. Cable weight = 21.891 N/m; straight friction increment uses ΔT = w_c × μ × W × L.
2. Forward before bend = 0 lbf + 1 × 0.3 × 21.891 × 60.96 = 90 lbf.
3. Across 90° bend: T_out = 90 lbf × e^(1 × 0.3 × 1.5708) = 144.2 lbf.
4. Forward final = 144.2 lbf + straight friction after bend = 166.7 lbf.
5. Reverse swaps the straight lengths around the same bend and gives 126 lbf.

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