Which term describes a drum used to take the pull rope around when installing heavy cables with a puller?

• A. Pulley
• B. Capstan
• C. Drum
• D. Spool

Answer: (B)

When you need to pull heavy cables, wrapping the pull rope around a capstan creates friction that grips the rope and lets a single puller apply large forces without the rope slipping. The capstan is a rotating drum designed for rope to rub against its surface; with multiple turns, the contact area and friction increase, giving you better hold and control during the pull. This is different from a pulley, which only changes the rope’s direction, not its grip. A drum or spool is primarily about storing rope or cable and isn’t chosen for providing the heavy-pull grip the capstan offers. So the term describing the drum used to take the pull rope around for this task is capstan.