Steel conduit - tips and tricks?

DavidSpark · Sep 9, 2018

Hello!

Got a few jobs on the way that involve large amounts of conduit work. All surface mounted and will mostly be mounted externally around the building.

I was just wondering if anyone has any good tips, tricks or good points to think about when doing it to be quicker and more efficient. This includes tools or working methods.

Thanks all.

Dillb · Sep 9, 2018

westward10 said:
I would never use manufactured bends or elbows they look terrible and would not use them outside.

This, manufactured bends dont look anywhere near as neat or as good as a properly made bend by yourself.

Deleted member 26818 · Sep 9, 2018

LankyWill said:
Get J-Halls stocks and dyes no others come close, they will save you time when threading. 32 tpi works best for cutting aswell, remember to drill the besa boxes before mounting them.

32tpi is for tray and trunking.
24 or 18 tip for conduit.

freddo · Sep 9, 2018

Strima said:
Plan your route carefully to reduce the amount of joins and bends you need and use manufactured joints where possible.

It's faster to bend than than cut several threads and screw stuff together, easier to draw the cables though too.

cliffed said:
Always a prob going round external corner,outside,some take out the brick,others,end box,conduit into that,whatever.

Swan neck it if it's not appropriate to chip away at the corner of the wall.

cliffed · Sep 9, 2018

Use spacer saddles,or hospital saddles to allow conduit entry into socket or equipment.
I hate to see sets going into equipment when not needed.
Also if the knockout is slightly to the front,drill another hole,this then takes the conduit straight into the fitting.
Use a bush spanner to tighten up.

Pete999 · Sep 9, 2018

cliffed said:
Use spacer saddles,or hospital saddles to allow conduit entry into socket or equipment.
I hate to see sets going into equipment when not needed.
Also if the knockout is slightly to the front,drill another hole,this then takes the conduit straight into the fitting.
Use a bush spanner to tighten up.

Don't like drilling over a knockout, could cause the existing knockout to become detached, causing damage to the box, wish the disagree icon wasn't so confrontational.

cliffed · Sep 9, 2018

Yea,I see what you mean,works for me though,but not always..AGREE

Pete999 · Sep 9, 2018

cliffed said:
Yea,I see what you mean,works for me though,but not always..AGREE

As long as it works for you.

Dillb · Sep 9, 2018

cliffed said:
Use a bush spanner to tighten up.

Have you tried to get a bush spanner to fit on a bush these days?

freddo · Sep 9, 2018

Use one of these, they fit properly. Standard bush spanners are designed for British Standard bushes, and don't fit the very thin bushes most places currently sell.

cliffed · Sep 9, 2018

Mines years old,still does the trick.
Seen so many crappy installs using conduit,especially the bubble set.

Pete999 · Sep 9, 2018

cliffed said:
Mines years old,still does the trick.
Seen so many crappy installs using conduit,especially the bubble set.

Bubble set???????

cliffed · Sep 9, 2018

[ElectriciansForums.net] Steel conduit - tips and tricks?

There you go,it’s so easy

Flanders · Sep 9, 2018

Dillb said:
Have you tried to get a bush spanner to fit on a bush these days?

Not just me then , dug mine out the other day from the bottum of my tool box but the bush heads was so thin i could not get a good grip on them .

Pete999 · Sep 9, 2018

Flanders said:
Not just me then , dug mine out the other day from the bottum of my tool box but the bush heads was so thin i could not get a good grip on them .

You been watching to many iffy movies Mate

Squid · Sep 9, 2018

cliffed said:
When I was younger,hated 25mm conduit,skinny little runt,had difficulty bending it,proper nanna.
Been on site recently,sparkies used it everywhere.
Even for external lights which I thought way over the top.
20mm would of sufficed,but hey oh.

Try 32mm conduit.........