Bending electrical PVC conduit involves heating the material until it becomes pliable, shaping it, and then allowing it to cool and harden in the desired shape.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Prepare the Conduit
Before bending, determine the location and angle of your bend. Mark the conduit accurately where the bend should begin and end. This helps ensure precision when shaping the hot material.
Step 2: Heat the Conduit
To make PVC pliable enough to bend, you need to apply heat evenly to the section you wish to shape.
- Methods: Common methods include using an electric heat gun designed for conduit bending, a specialized PVC heating blanket, or a hot box.
- Application: Apply heat evenly around the circumference of the pipe in the marked bending area. Rotate the conduit constantly to prevent scorching one side. Continue heating until the PVC feels soft and flexible. Be careful not to overheat, as this can damage the conduit.
Step 3: Bend the Conduit
Once the conduit is hot and pliable:
- Carefully move the heated section to your bending surface or form.
- Apply gentle, steady pressure to shape the conduit to the desired angle or curve. Use bending guides or forms if needed for specific bends like offsets or saddles.
- Work relatively quickly but smoothly, as the conduit will begin to cool and stiffen.
Step 4: Cool the Conduit
After bending the conduit to the correct shape, it must be cooled to set the bend permanently.
- Purpose: Cooling hardens the PVC, locking the bend into place.
- Methods: You can allow the conduit to cool naturally in the air, or you can speed up the process using water.
- Using Water for Cooling: As demonstrated in various guides, including online video tutorials, applying cool water to the heated section can rapidly set the bend. A practical way to do this is to use a water bottle with a hole cut in the tip. This allows you to spray cool water directly onto the bent area, quickly reducing its temperature and hardening the PVC.
Tips for Successful PVC Conduit Bending
- Wear Gloves: Always wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot PVC conduit.
- Practice: Practice bends on scrap pieces of conduit before working on your final runs.
- Avoid Kinks: Keep the bend area relatively wide; tight bends can cause kinking, which restricts wire pulling.
- Check Angles: Use a level or angle finder to ensure your bends are accurate, especially for multiple bends that need to align.
By following these steps, you can effectively bend electrical PVC conduit for your wiring needs.
