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through it. The plastic on Schedule 80 is thicker, but the conduit has the same outside diameter as
40 so the inside diameter is smaller Always install Schedule 80 conduit in high tra c areas or any
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9/3/2018 Installing PVC Conduit | The Family Handyman
40, so the inside diameter is smaller. Always install Schedule 80 conduit in high-tra c areas or any
other areas where it could get damaged, like behind a woodpile. The ttings (such as adapters and
turns) are the same for Schedule 40 and 80.
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9/3/2018 Installing PVC Conduit | The Family Handyman
Install 3/4-in. PVC conduit instead of 1/2-in. if (1) you need to pull more than three wires through
one section of conduit; (2) there’s any chance you’ll add wires in the future; or (3) if you have a long
and winding run. The 3/4-in. conduit doesn’t cost that much more, and it’s a lot easier to pull wire
through. Whatever size conduit you use, don’t ll it more than 40 percent with wires.
Single-gang electrical boxes will work, but if you have two or more conduit sections connecting to
one box, buy double-gang. The male connectors on the ends of the PVC conduit take up quite a bit
of room inside the box, leaving little room for devices. GFCI receptacles and other large devices, like
dimmers, t better in deeper (2-1/8 in.) boxes.
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Some PVC pipes require primer, but you don’t need to use primer when gluing conduit and ttings.
Home centers usually sell the appropriate glue/cement near the the PVC conduit and ttings.
Measure as carefully as you can so you can avoid dry- tting your connections. Unlike PVC plumbing
pipes, PVC conduit and ttings can be di cult to pull apart once you shove them together. And
always wear gloves to protect yourself from the glue.
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It’s tempting to start by attaching all of the electrical boxes to the walls and ceiling and then run the
conduit, but don’t do it. It’s easier to secure one box and then run the conduit from that box to the
next one. Fasten the second box to the wall or ceiling after you fasten it to the conduit. Then you
won’t have to ght the conduit trying to bend it into position. This is especially important if you
have two boxes in close proximity because it’s di cult to bend short sections of PVC conduit. This
process makes it easier to fasten the connectors, nuts and bushings to the electrical box rst and
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The installation will look better if you use the kind of hanger that o sets the PVC conduit the same
distance from the wall as the knockout on your elecrical boxes. For 1/2-in. through 1-in. PVC
conduit, the maximum spacing between supports is 3 ft.
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There are lots of ways to cut PVC conduit, but a circular saw tted with a metal blade gives you a
smooth, fast, burr-free cut. If you don’t have a metal blade, a regular construction blade will do the
job, but you may have to deburr the end of the conduit after you cut.
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Use metal conduit locknuts with PVC conduit because plastic locknuts can strip out and break.
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If you have a long run of PVC conduit with a whole bunch of twists and turns, consider splitting up
the span with junction boxes. Every elbow you install makes pulling wire more di cult. And
installing turns totaling more than 360? (four 90? elbows) is not allowed on one run. Pros rarely go
beyond 180? because it’s easier to install an additional electrical box and pull the wire a shorter
distance.
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Sometimes water gets inside a weatherproof electrical box. It’s a good idea to drill a 1/4-in. hole in
the bottom of the box, so if water gets in, it can get out. You can drill the hole before or after you
install the box.
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Install weatherproof electrical boxes (aka bell boxes) outside. Unlike regular boxes, weatherproof
boxes usually have threaded knockout holes to create a water-resistant connection. Many come
with caps to plug the hole you don’t use. Make sure the box you buy has holes where you need
them.
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