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Section 2 Installation
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Cutting conduit
The fi rst step when cutting conduit is to secure
it in a vise. This will help you make straighter cuts
and avoid broken blades. If a vise is not available,
brace the conduit against a secure surface such as
a wall stud or a sawhorse. A hacksaw is normally
used to cut all types of conduit. A reciprocating
saw outfi tted with a metal-cutting blade is also
used to cut conduit. Either saw should be fi tted
with a blade having 18 to 24 teeth per inch for a
clean cut. See Figure 4-15.
A square cut can be made with a pipe cutter,
although it creates a large burr. Apply a small
amount of cutting oil where the cut will be made.
Slip the cutter mouth over the conduit and adjust
the cutter wheel until the tool is snug. Rotate the
cutter around the conduit. If the tool is too diffi -
cult to rotate, the wheel is too tight. Adjust the
cutter wheel until the tool is fi rm but not diffi cult
to rotate. Continue to rotate the tool and tighten
the cutter slightly after each turn until the conduit
is completely cut. See Figure 4-16.
Hacksaw Reciprocating saw
Figure 4-15. To cut EMT, secure it in a vise or hold it fi rmly and use a hacksaw, reciprocating saw, or a pipe cutter.
Tighten the pipe cutter
until it is snug.
Rotate the pipe cutter
around the conduit.
Repeat the first two steps
until the conduit breaks.
Figure 4-16. A pipe cutter can be used to cut conduit.
raceways: A system of conduit, boxes, and fi ttings
through which wires are pulled.
conduit: Round hollow tubing that is metal or plastic,
rigid or fl exible, that is used to protect wires from
physical damage.
electrical metallic tubing (EMT): Conduit made of
aluminum with relatively thin walls, also called thin-
wall conduit. The smaller sizes can be easily bent with
a hand tool.