steel conduit help

[h901]

hi everyone

i've recently started using steel conduit and so far most of the jobs where i've used it have been fairly simple (straight runs). i've got a job that requires quite a few 90 bends to be made (i've bought a hilmor bender and have been practising using it) i've just got a few questions which i'm hoping the members with more experience than me can help with. any other tips and tricks will be very helpful too

1) should the saddles be installed first?

2) how would one connect conduit with a 90 bend to a straight piece, if for example the run is quite long - something like - I________I
is this done before or after fitting it to the wall, as i tried doing it once when it was already fitted to the wall and couldn't get the couplers to hold (before fitting to the saddles), as i was screwing one side on, the other side of the coupler was screwing off the other conduit

3) what are conduit nipples used for exactly?

4) when trying to make a 90 bend at around 1.5m in the conduit, i wasn't able to do it with the hilmor shorty as the conduit hit the floor before the bend reached the correct angle, so instead i cut off the top of the conduit and then re-attached it later with couplers (was this correct)

apologies for the long questions and thanks in advance

 

[westward10]

Neither do I Perci, but there come a time when you have to use a running coupler, why have you stipulated a Galv box?

Ask for black enamel these days Pete the wholesaler will think you are speaking another language.

 

[Pete999]

Does anybody have a picture of a running coupler? Also where could i get hold of one from. I've searched online and can't find it anywhere. (I usually get steel conduit from TLC or screwfix and can't find any running couplers on their sites)

Mate I seriously hope you haven't been into a wholesaler and asked for one, mind you with some of the Herbert's working in some of them now I doubt if any of them know what a running coupler is, certainly that would be the case in Screwfix, I can just imagine one of the staff running around the stockroom in a panic, "where are the 20mm running couplers kept"

 

[westward10]

I prefer to see a galv through box used instead of a running thread as I don't like seeing any thread on show. This also provides a pulling point to help with wiring

The use of a running coupler is employed because the nature of the system prevents the use of a conduit box.

 

[Wilko]

You can get anything on the net these days

20mm Metal Conduit Coupler - https://quickbit.co.uk/20mm-Metal-conduit-coupler

View attachment 35359

 

[Pete999]

You can get anything on the net these days

20mm Metal Conduit Coupler - https://quickbit.co.uk/20mm-Metal-conduit-coupler

View attachment 35359

Just a bog standard coupler Wilko.

 

[westward10]

I remember my first conduit install many years ago. Was a small warehouse and we had done the lighting runs at high level off two tall A frames and scaffold boards! All that was left was the toilet block, my old gaffer told me what was needed and disappeared, now I realise probably laughing. All was going well and I got stuck because no matter what I did there were two sections I could not join, I even assembled it in the warehouse then couldn't get it back through the toilet door. My gaffer returned knowing what was going to happen and showed me a running coupler.

 

[westward10]

Just a bog standard coupler Wilko.

I am hoping he is giving the op a clue.

 

[Wilko]

I am hoping he is giving the op a clue.

Hope springs eternal

 

[westward10]

Reread the original post, to join a straight length to a bend you just need a coupler.

 

[Pete999]

Reread the original post, to join a straight length to a bend you just need a coupler.

I know but he was saying as he screwed one end the other end came undone (wish I had been there) or something akin to that not sure as I'm bored with conduit now, it's pub time, or soon will be. surely everyone know how to join 2 lengths of tube together, with a coupler you say, wish it was as simple as that in real life.

 

[h901]

brill to see conduit back in use,rarely used these days,& I miss it,so much better job,& satisfaction guaranteed.
What job are you using it on,be interested to know.

Fitting some CCTV cameras and just wanted to make the installation look neat and professional (In my opinion steel conduit looks the part)

Mate I seriously hope you haven't been into a wholesaler and asked for one, mind you with some of the Herbert's working in some of them now I doubt if any of them know what a running coupler is, certainly that would be the case in Screwfix, I can just imagine one of the staff running around the stockroom in a panic, "where are the 20mm running couplers kept"

Haha not yet mate, just done some searching online.

I know but he was saying as he screwed one end the other end came undone (wish I had been there) or something akin to that not sure as I'm bored with conduit now, it's pub time, or soon will be. surely everyone know how to join 2 lengths of tube together, with a coupler you say, wish it was as simple as that in real life.

Yes that's correct.

You can't buy the running coupler, you make them yourself as and when you need to.
The running coupler is, if I can explain it in words, as follows. imagine you have to join two pieces of conduit by the running coupler method, and you have a MALE end.
On the piece you wish to join there is also a MALE end, extend this thread by tonjust over the length of a coupler and a locking ring or lock nut.
Run the lock nut on to the long thread until you run out of thread, now run the coupler on, you will be left with a MALE end on the conduit that is fixed to the wall, now install the conduit with the coupler and lock nut until the MALE end and the conduit with the coupler and lock nut meet, now turn the coupler onto the MALE end and then lock it in place with the lockring.

I hope that is understandable

I kind of understand, I'll read it again tomorrow and try it out at home. Thanks

 

[cliffed]

Fitting some CCTV cameras and just wanted to make the installation look neat and professional (In my opinion steel conduit looks the part)



Haha not yet mate, just done some searching online.



Yes that's correct.



I kind of understand, I'll read it again tomorrow and try it out at home. Thanks

 

[cliffed]

Advice given to me when I was apprentice was,don't be to elaborate with conduit,make the least amount of sets,kicks,saddle over'S as possible.
Straight runs & ease of installation paramount,you have a look around at some of the older jobs,conduits everywhere,bending in out over & down,basically not a clue on how to install correctly,really looks nasty.

 

[Pete999]

Advice given to me when I was apprentice was,don't be to elaborate with conduit,make the least amount of sets,kicks,saddle over'S as possible.
Straight runs & ease of installation paramount,you have a look around at some of the older jobs,conduits everywhere,bending in out over & down,basically not a clue on how to install correctly,really looks nasty.

It's an art to which (I don't know why) I was very good at. I say was, not touched it for a while

 

[westward10]

Not one of my favourite things, my old gaffer taught me bends using a wood block with holes at either end. He was a master, could turn out perfect swan necks every time.