Saturday, April 6, 2013

one of the most basic skills and electrician must possess is that of conduit bending conduit is a raceway that is designed to carry conductors from one point to another. since conduit is run on walls and ceilings we must change elevations and directions to overcome obstacles impeding the path of the Raceway. To change directions and avoid obstructions electricians must bend conduit using hand Bender's.

Conduit comes in two types, EMT and rigid. conduit comes in various sizes. Conduit benders are identified by the EMT sizes:  half inch, three-quarter inch, one inch, and one and a quarter inch conduit. These sizes are based on the inside diameter of the conduit. Because EMT and rigid have different wall thicknesses the outside circumference will be different. The rigid conduit has a much thicker wall and because of this a half inch rigid conduit will fit in a three-quarter inch EMT Bender. The three-quarter inch rigid conduit will likewise fit in a one inch EMT Bender. Since the smallest size conduit comes in half inch diameter the half inch EMT Bender will only been half inch EMT.



To aid bending when performing a ground or air bend the been there is a marked with different alignment symbols to help the operator create the bed is necessary to accomplish any project. The symbols found on most vendors are that arrow, the teardrop, the start point and angle markings. These markings are found on various sides of the bender head.

the four most common bends to know how to make our a 90 degree stub, a back-to-back, and offset, and a saddle. It is common to use a combination of the bend the markings when making certain bans. Knowing the proper technique and method of making the bends will he allow you to accomplish most projects efficiently.

There are a few things we must remember while bending conduit these include:

  1. a proper band is made by rolling the conduit around the been there in the conduit's cradle using constant foot pressure.
  2. Use the correct size Bender for the conduit size being been
  3. some over bending may be required to allow for spring back of the conduit. The resting condition of the conduit is to be at the final angle desired
  4. measure and properly market conduit using trigonometry tables.
  5. For bending requires the conduit to be secure so it does not slides prior to bending always apply constant foot pressure to the Benders he will while minimizing your pressure on the handle. Let the handle be a guide and not a lever.
  6. Bending conduit in the air requires the handle to be securely on the ground and reinforced with the a foot so it does not slide out. Make sure you are balanced and apply constant force close to the Bender anybody controlling the conduit as you bend it around the Benders cradle making sure the conduit does not slide in the Benders head.
  7. As always ensure you wear personal protection equipment such as proper I hear and never exert more pressure than your body can handle.