150 Section 3 Installation Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 10.5 Rigid PVC Conduit Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC) is con- structed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a tough, nonconductive plastic. PVC weighs much less than metal conduit and is designed to be used in most locations where other types of conduit are used, including direct burial. There are many different fi ttings available to connect the PVC fi to metallic and nonmetallic boxes and conduit. See Figure 10-16. PVC is restricted only in cer- tain hazardous locations and where it could be physically damaged. Check with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to see if local code per- mits its use. Do not use PVC to support fixtures. fi PVC is easily worked. It can be cut with a hacksaw, most power saws, or large tubing cut- ters. It can be bent using special bending boxes with heating elements to warm the conduit. This allows it to be easily bent by hand, using a simple bending jig. Bends can also be made with preformed fittings. Connecting PVC con- duit and fittings is similar to working with PVC plumbing pipe. All permanent joints are made with PVC primer and solvent cement. These joints are solvent-welded, creating an airtight, watertight connection, Figure 10-17.7 7 Kraloy Fittings Figure 10-16. Numerous types of fittings, elbows, and mounting hardware are available to facilitate the installation of rigid PVC conduit. PROCEDURE Attaching Fittings i n to PVC 1. Deburr cut c ends of pipe with a utility u knife e o or emery cloth so all surfaces u rf are smo m oo th. Clean the inside of o f the fi tting fi a an d the end of the cond n du it with a rag. Dry-fit the fitting fi on n t th e conduit to check fi the fi nal position, , th t he n remove the fitting. fi fi Apply primer to t o the inside of the fitting, fi using the app p pl icator attached to the lid d of o f the primer er can. 2. Apply primer pr to the outside of the e conduit. c on 3. Apply pl y PVC solvent cement to the th e i in side of the h e fi tting, using the applicator at or attached fi to the lid of the cement can. c an 4. 4 Apply cement to the outsi ou ts id e of the conduit. 5. Push the conduit t into i nt the fi tting until fi it stops (bottoms om s out in the fi tting fi socket), then e n tu t ur n the fi tting a quarter er fi turn while le maintaining m pressure. This hi spreads d s the th cement evenly along n g the joint n t. Hold H the parts together r for f 20 to 30 30 se s ec onds, as recommende d ed by the cement ce manufacturer.