4 Steps to Installing a PVC Electrical Conduit Like a Pro

If it is time for you to install an electrical conduit, read on for the four steps you need to install a PVC electrical conduit like a professional.

1. Understand the applications of PVC electrical conduits. 

In order to install and utilize PVC electrical conduits like a pro, you first need to understand the applications (and benefits) that it brings to ensure that it is the right choice for your project. 

Electrical conduits are used in all scenarios where there are electrical wires, as they work as the secure tube through which you can thread active wires. For this reason, they are an essential component of building safety.

You can find electrical conduits in various materials; however, they aren’t ideal for all projects. For example, hard metal conduits cannot be turned and twisted around sharp corners and tight spaces; whereas, you can bend PVC electrical conduits in this way. 

It is also extremely easy to cut PVC electrical conduits and secure connections. Moreover, PVC can withstand different corrosives, including electrochemical, chemical, and biological. Moreover, PVC material is a lot lighter than any other options.

2. Learn how to bend and cut PVC electrical conduits.

When you purchase PVC electrical conduits, you will see a wide array of shapes and sizes available for you. 

As mentioned above, one of the main benefits of using PVC electrical conduits is that they can be formed into the shape that you need. While some come pre-bent, you can easily customize the PVC into the exact form that you want. In many cases, you may also need to bend one or two pieces of PVC together into a particular shape. 

If you do find that you need to bend your PVC electrical conduits, you will first have to heat the material using a heat gun, so that it is hot enough to be bent. 

Make sure to heat a larger section of the conduit, as concentrating the heat in a very small area could damage or burn it. When the conduit gets damaged, you will have to work with a new one. Also, ensure there are no wires in the conduit you are trying to bend or working on. 

You also don’t want to handle the PVC with your bare hands, so make sure you are wearing a heavy-duty pair of gloves to avoid getting burnt. Once the material is heated, you can bend it into whatever form it needs to be. 

If you need to cut your PVC conduit, then you want to use a circular saw fitted with a metal blade. This type of saw will give you the fastest, smoothest, and easiest cut possible. 

3. Install the conduit in the proper order. 

The pros know that there is a proper order to install these pieces. While you may want to start by attaching all the electrical boxes first and then beginning on the conduit, it is highly advised that you don’t follow this order. 

Instead, you want to fasten the first box and then thread the conduit. Then, secure the second box to the conduit before you attach it to the wall. This will reduce the amount you have to bend or move the conduit, making it easier and faster to get the system set up. 

Of course, working this way is recommended for all scenarios. Still, it is advantageous when you have boxes near one another as it is much harder to bend smaller segments of PVC conduit. 

4. Protect the PVC electrical conduits. 

While there is no denying that PVC electrical conduits are tough, there are specific steps that you want to take to ensure that you are maintaining them correctly. 

For example, you want to attach a bushing to each of the electrical conduits as it offers a rounded, smooth surface for the wires to slide by. These are good to use, even if you deburr the end of it, as you are still likely to damage the wires when pulling them through.

Similarly, it is generally advised that you use metal conduit locknuts rather than plastic locknuts as these are less likely to strip out and break. 

If you have to hang the PVC conduits, then you also want to use metal hangers as these are much stronger than plastic hangers and easier to install. Keep in mind that some PVC pipes will require a primer, while others don’t when glueing conduits and fittings. 

If your PVC electrical conduits are outside, then you certainly want to install weatherproof electrical boxes around them. These boxes are designed with threaded knockout holes, so you can be assured that you have a water-resistant connection. 

Just make sure to purchase a box that has the number of holes you need in the locations that you need them. Moreover, in many cases, it is recommended that you drill a 1/4-inch hole into the bottom of your weatherproof electrical box to ensure that water goes out. 

Final Thoughts

When purchasing PVC pipe fittings and electrical conduits, you want to ensure you are shopping for products made by a reputable company offering the highest-quality products possible. 

At Polyfab, we pride ourselves on our long history of supporting clients in finding the sustainable solutions and products they need to get their job done. 

Reach out to us today to learn more about our products and services, and what we can do for you!