How to Use a Conduit Pipe Bender
Conduit pipe is used to house wiring in places such as walls, where there is risk of exposure to moisture or flammable gases. The pipe often needs to be bent to flow smoothly around corners, irregularly shaped walls and around equipment. A conduit pipe bender is a tool used to bend conduit in a manner that will not crimp the conduit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place the head of a conduit pipe bender on a handle--often a length of threaded pipe.
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Determine the location of the starting point for the bend by measuring from the starting placement to the obstruction. If you are making a 90-degree bend, subtract 5 inches if you are using a 1/2-inch pipe bender or subtract 6 inches if you are using a 3/4-inch pipe bender. This distance is called the "uptake" and is how much pipe will be taken up to make the bend. Refer to the chart included with your pipe bender for uptake measurements for other angles. Measure from the end of the conduit and mark this location on the conduit with a permanent marker.
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Slide the conduit into the hole in the pipe bender with the measured side on the opposite side of the foot pedal.
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Align the mark with the starting arrow on the pipe bender. The starting arrow is located opposite the foot pedal on the head of the pipe bender.
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Place the conduit and head of the pipe bender on the floor with the handle pointing up toward you. Gently pull back on the handle while pressing the foot pedal with your foot and slowly bend the pipe until the line for the 90-degree angle is perpendicular to the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Bend the pipe slowly to prevent crimping the pipe. Practice on a scrap piece to get used to the pressure needed to bend the pipe without causing creases or crimps.
Conduit containing communications wiring cannot have more than 180 degrees of bends between pull boxes.
Conduit containing telecommunications wiring cannot have more than a 90-degree angle at any bend.
Conduit containing electrical wiring cannot have more than 360 degrees of bends between pull boxes. Conduit cannot be run more than 100 feet between pull boxes.
Never bend conduit that contains wires or cables.
References
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