How to Use a Conduit Bender

Adding connectors for each joint or turn in conduit is not very economical and is time consuming. Using a conduit bender is an easier solution. This device takes a little practice, but once mastered it saves a lot of time and eliminates the need for buying conduit connectors.

Instructions

1. Determine how long the piece of conduit needs to be including the bend. An example would be measuring from the ceiling (where the conduit turns down 90 degrees) to the top of the box you are taking the conduit to. This length is called the stub length.

2. Mark your conduit, measuring from one end of the pipe, at the stub length distance.

3. Find the take up length for your specific conduit. 1/2-inch EMT has a take up of 5 inches, 3/4-inch EMT or 1/2-inch rigid conduits have a take up of 6 inches, 1-inch EMT and 3/4-inch rigid both have an 8-inch take up, and finally 1 1/4-inch EMT or 1-inch rigid both have an 11-inch take up.

4. Make a mark that is the take up distance back towards the end from which you made your first mark. You now have two marks, the second mark being closer to the end you started from than the first mark.

5. Place the bender in your hand with the side the lip is on touching the ground. Place the lip underneath the pipe at the take up mark you made with the footrest of the bender on the side that is closest to your first mark.

6. Apply steady and even pressure with your foot and pull on the bender bar to begin bending the conduit.

7. Look at the bender as you are bending and notice it has degrees marks on it. Simply bend to the desired degree mark to get the bend you want. If you test fit the bend and it does not work, then re-adjust using the bender.

Tips & Warnings

• Some electrical codes forbid more than 360 degrees of total bends in a piece of conduit. Calculate the number of degree of total bends you need before starting.

• Pull slowly and steadily on the bender or you may crimp the conduit.