What is a fish tape primarily used for?

A fish tape is primarily used for pulling wire or rope through conduit, making it an essential tool for electricians when installing or replacing wiring within walls or other enclosed spaces. The tape is flexible and can navigate through confined spaces, allowing for the efficient routing of electrical cables over various distances without the need for disassembling the entire system.

When using a fish tape, it is inserted into the conduit where the wire needs to be pulled. Once the fish tape reaches the other end, the wire or rope can be attached to it and then pulled back through the conduit. This method is particularly effective in situations where straight cables cannot be pulled directly because of bends or obstacles. The ability of fish tape to navigate turns and changes in direction is a key feature that makes it invaluable for electricians.

In contrast, measuring lengths of wire doesn't leverage the fish tape's primary purpose. Cutting conduit is a task associated with tools like pipe cutters or saws, and testing electrical circuits typically involves using multimeters or other testing equipment. Hence, the correct choice highlights the practical and specific function of fish tape in electrical installations.