How To Bend PVC Conduit
Bending PVC conduit is a skill every electrician needs, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Whether you’re working on a big commercial job or a small residential project, getting those clean, professional bends can make all the difference. The good news? There are several tried-and-true methods to make the process easier—and even some game-changing tools designed specifically for the job. In this guide, we’ll break down the best techniques for bending PVC conduit, highlight the top tools to help you out, and share tips to make the process smoother. Let’s get bending!
Why You Need to Bend PVC Conduit
PVC is the preferred conduit type for direct burial installations of electrical wire. PVC conduit is not to be confused with PVC pipe, as both are used for different applications. The most used type of PVC conduit in the electrical industry is schedule 40, which refers to the thickness of its walls. Not every installation is created with straight runs, so how do you bend this type of material? Unlike EMT, (Electrical Metallic Tubing), the PVC conduit must be heated in most instances for it to be bent.
What is the best PVC Conduit Bending Technique?
Pre-Bent Angles
In the electrical trade, two options exist for tradesman bending this type of material. The first is purchasing manufactured pre-bent angles such as 90’s, 45’s, 30’s, etc. The alternative is to use a specially designed PVC conduit bending tool to get accurate custom angles.
Some methods involve using an external heat source, and some allow for cold bends. The most common factors that determine which method you decide on will be the size of your PVC conduit and the type of bend needed for the installation. PVC conduit under 2″ is easier to heat up and bend than 4″ PVC conduit.
Add Some Heat
The most common technique for bending PVC conduit is using a heating tool, such as a heat gun. You do this by using your heat gun/tool to heat up the desired location of your bend until the PVC becomes malleable. Once the PVC conduit becomes malleable, hold it in the desired position for the application. This can be made even easier by using one of the genius tools we’ll go over later in this blog. It is important to note that once PVC conduit heats up, cooling it down can become time-consuming. So come prepared with a spray bottle filled with cool water, a wet rag, or a water hose.
Once the PVC conduit has cooled, check your bends to ensure that they are what you need for the installation. If the bend angle isn’t quite what you want, you can reheat and start the process over. Be wary of repeating it too much as the heating process could eventually cause your PVC conduit to become too brittle.
Best Tools For Bending PVC Conduit?
For a long time, electricians didn’t have a ton of specialty PVC conduit bending tools to work with. But when it comes to handy gear, Rack-A-Tiers knows their stuff! You can really see it in how practical and easy their tools are—especially the ones they make for bending PVC conduit.
The Pipe Viper – Cold Bend PVC
The first of these groundbreaking tools from Rack-A-Tiers is the Pipe Viper. This product comes in sizes that range from ½” all the way to 4″ PVC conduit. An innovative feature of this item is that it allows you to cold bend both ½” and ¾” schedule 40 PVC conduit. This means no heat gun is needed to bend your conduit.
To use this product all you need to do is insert the spring into the pipe & bend it across your knee. The PVC conduit requires slight over-bending which will allow the “pop back,” upon the release of the bending pressure.
The Pipe Viper is one of the most versatile and cost-effective tools when it comes to cold bend sizes. When it comes to any size above ¾” PVC, heat is required.
Check out @justpowerelectric_162 demoing the Pipe Viper here!:
Buy the Pipe Viper from Rack-A-Tiers
Bender’s Friend
Bending PVC conduit can be tricky, but the Bender’s Friend from Rack-A-Tiers makes it a whole lot easier. This handy bend angle template helps you get smooth, accurate bends without kinks or crimps, saving you time and frustration on the job. Just heat your PVC using your preferred method, then use the Bender’s Friend to guide your bend for a clean, professional result. Say goodbye to guesswork and uneven bends—this tool has your back!
The Heat Tank
Another product that will be a great addition to your arsenal if you already have a heat gun-is the Heat Tank. Heat Tank is a metal tank that holds the heat and amplifies the efficiency of the heat gun. It lets you have additional control over the heat applied to the PVC conduit, preventing overheating and burning with the use of the temperature gauge. This product eliminates the need for a more expensive or heavier heating box. The Heat Tank allows you to heat up PVC conduit up to 1-1/2″ in as fast as 3 minutes. Heat up your PVC conduit hands-free and quicker than with a heat gun alone!
Check out @jeremy.parks.10 demonstration of the Heat Tank
Buy the Heat Tank from Rack-A-Tiers
There are plenty of ways to bend PVC conduit, but the ones above are the smartest and most efficient. Most methods involve heating the PVC and then letting it cool to hold its shape, but there are lots of ways to get the job done – including some game changing tools from Rack-A-Tiers. Just be patient, take your time with the bends, and make sure the PVC cools down properly before checking your work!
