A subterranean system of conduits for electric cables. As generally
constructed in this country it includes manholes, q. v., at the street
corners connected by ducts or pipes. These pipes are large enough to
hold a cable. To introduce a cable into a duct, which latter may be two
or three inches in diameter, and from two hundred to six or seven
hundred feet long, a wire or rope is first passed through the duct. This
is done by a set of short wooden rods with screws at the end so as to be
screwed together. Each rod must be shorter than the diameter of the
manhole. A rod is thrust in, another is screwed to it and thrust in, and
thus a set of rods is made to extend as far as desired. In pulling them
out a rope is attached and drawn through. This rope or a larger one is
used in drawing the cable through the duct. A windlass is employed to
draw the rope with cable attached through the ducts