Greenlee

Greenlee tools are for electricians pulling cable, bending conduit, making crimped connections and testing voltage. The lineup covers those jobs with dedicated pulling, bending, termination and testing tools. Start with the work you do every day, then match the tool to the task.

Greenlee is an American industrial and electrical tool company based in Rockford, Illinois. Robert L. and Ralph S. Greenlee founded it in 1862. It is part of Emerson’s Professional Tools group. Its electrical tool catalog covers work from residential installations to power distribution, including cable pulling, conduit bending and cable termination.

Cable pulling and fishing

Greenlee’s cable pulling and fishing line includes cable pullers, wire-fishing tools and pulling rope. Fishing gets a line through the route so you can establish the pull. On an existing run, sort out access and obstructions before bringing the cable into it.

Lay out the pull before choosing the tugger. Cable limits, bends, pulling distance and room for the setup all matter. Choose a pulling system whose components suit the planned load, with a route that stays within the cable’s pulling limits.

Conduit bending and enclosure openings

Greenlee offers mechanical, electric and hydraulic conduit benders. Match the bender to the conduit material and size, then consider how much bending the job involves and where the equipment will sit.

Its knockout line includes punches, dies, drivers and sets for making openings. Match the punch and die to the required opening and the material you’re punching.

Crimpers and cutters

Greenlee also makes cable crimpers and cutters, and its testing lineup includes PRX proximity voltage detectors. The brand covers the connections and voltage detection along with the pull.

For crimping, start with the connectors you’re actually installing. The Gator remote crimper/cutter listed below uses interchangeable heads for crimping and cutting. Match the conductor, connector, head and die combination to the connection.

That tool’s Intelligent Crimping System uses a pressure sensor to monitor each crimp’s force and gives visual and audible alerts when force falls below specification. That’s useful feedback while you’re making connections. Treat a low-force alert as a reason to stop and follow the tool’s troubleshooting procedure.

Voltage detection and measurement

Greenlee offers low- and high-voltage test and measurement tools, including the HDE High Voltage Line. PRX proximity detectors detect the presence of voltage without contacting the conductor. Choose the detector model for the voltage and application, then follow its operating instructions for function checks, positioning and interpretation of alerts.

For voltage readings and phasing, the HDE universal voltmeter kit supports overhead and underground applications. Its automatic ranging handles range selection, and its backlit display helps with reading the meter in bright or dark conditions. The kit measures AC and DC voltage, with an extended measurement range using its resistor sticks.

Warranty coverage varies by category. Greenlee specifies lifetime coverage for electrical test instruments, hand tools and hand benders; that lifetime ends when the tool becomes unusable for reasons other than material or workmanship defects. Gator battery-powered hydraulic tools sold on or after October 1, 2019 carry seven-year limited coverage excluding batteries. Capital goods and other circumstances generally carry one-year limited coverage unless Greenlee states otherwise in writing.

Selected tool specifications

Tool or line	Model or family	Specifications
Gator remote crimper/cutter	EK425LXRDBGB	Six-ton tool; listed crimping force of 12,000 pounds or 53 kN; interchangeable crimping and cutting heads; cutting head rotates 350 degrees
Proximity voltage detectors	PRX	Three models collectively cover detection voltages from 120 V to 500 kV; each model has its own application range
HDE universal voltmeter kit	DVM-80UVK	Standard range of 5 V to 40 kV; measurements up to 80 kV with resistor sticks; AC and DC measurement; made in the USA

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use a Greenlee voltage detector?

The procedure depends on which Greenlee detector you’re using and the voltage you’re working around. Proximity detectors sense voltage without touching the conductor; a personal voltage detector alerts you to electric fields or energized equipment. You need the specific detector’s operating instructions for checks and use, and silence from a detector isn’t proof that equipment is safe to touch.

Where are Greenlee tools made?

Greenlee is headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, and its HDE universal voltmeter kit is made in the USA. For another tool, you’ll need to check its country-of-origin marking rather than treat the company’s headquarters as its manufacturing location.

What is a Greenlee tugger used for?

A Greenlee tugger pulls cable through a planned route. The tugger’s pulling capacity isn’t the cable’s allowable pulling tension, so a stronger puller doesn’t mean you can pull harder without damaging the cable.

What is a Greenlee Gator crimping tool?

Gator is Greenlee’s sub-brand, and its remote crimper/cutter uses interchangeable heads for crimping and cutting. That tool monitors crimping force with a pressure sensor and gives audible and visual alerts if force falls below specification. Force monitoring is useful feedback, but you still need the correct conductor, connector, head and die combination.