Tradies, sparkies, and control engineers are all too familiar with the question of how best to install cabling around bends. And it isn’t a question to be taken lightly, as electrical, data, and multi-core control cables, when exposed to the elements either above or below ground, or bent beyond their minimum radiuses, can result in costly line faults, and potentially dangerous power interruptions.
High-quality PVC conduit is the perfect solution for the proper installation of all kinds of cable and wire runs. No other material provides a more reliable, or more soundly protected encasement for cables to be able to withstand everything from full submersion to blistering temperatures. That’s why it’s no coincidence that 45° and 90° PVC elbows and bends are such essential components for navigating cabled infrastructure around curves, bends, and other obstacles.
You Get Straightforward Cable Installs With PVC Conduit Bends
source: ledestube.com
Let’s be honest: while there’s no shortage of opinions over the appearance or workability of PVC, the fact is, that it’s one of the most versatile, durable, and widely used polymers ever developed. That’s why when it comes to routing cables around corners and bends, high-quality PVC conduit bends and elbows are irreplaceable installation materials. They’re the best option for both indoor and outdoor, as well as above and below-ground use, and they offer the most cost-effective protection and conveyance for all types of approved installations.
Australian Standards (AS/NZS) 2053.5 prescribes the usage of heavy-duty PVC for electrical installations, which is why regardless of whether it’s on a single-phase 230V residential installation, or a three-phase, 415V commercial upgrade, PVC sweep bends are the top alternative for making point-to-point connections on irregular cable routes. PVC’s incredible durability, lightweight, and low maintenance are the perfect combination of inherent attributes that conduit bends need to complement their polymerized qualities, which include:
-
Smooth radiuses and surfaces. No matter if it’s at 45° or 90°, the smooth inside surfaces of PVC conduit elbows allow them to safely support the bending of cable and wire runs right up to their minimum radiuses without any possibility of exceeding them.
-
Maximum protection. While installers are undoubtedly aware of PVC’s intrinsically non-porous nature, the rigidity of PVC conduit elbows also means that they don’t have to worry about the kinds of crushing impacts that could easily lead to cable faults or failures.
-
Maximum compatibility. As the use of non-threadable PVC conduit is seeing increased use in all forms of residential and commercial installations, PVC conduit elbow fittings allow for easy mating with all kinds of polymer and metal fixtures.
Modern conduit sweep bends and elbows are also manufactured primarily in fire retardant, unplasticized (uPVC or PVC-U) versions. That means together with their non-conductive coatings, electrical PVC elbows offer a level of safe cable and wire routing that simply couldn’t be safely accomplished otherwise.
Versatile Conduit Elbow Dimensions Mean Maximum Applicability
Versatility is one of the most compelling advantages that sturdy conduit pipe elbow and bend connections have to offer, which is why they’re available in such a wide range of dimensions. For installers and contractors to get the fullest benefit from electrical conduit elbows, they have to be able to join quickly and securely, as well as work with a broad selection of other PVC fittings like couplings and junction boxes.
Not surprisingly, Australia is home to two of the world’s premier PVC conduit manufacturers, Clipsal and HP Profiles, and they specialize in the production of compatible fixtures, including 45° and 90° electrical conduit elbow fittings, that can be used any other fixture. Length (L), interior radius (R), and diameter (ø) are critical dimensions that have to be considered when assessing the suitability of a PVC conduit elbow for any particular install, and they’re available in a full range of measured combinations that include:
- Lengths ranging from 134mm – 900mm;
- Interior radiuses ranging from 83R – 715R; and,
- Diameters ranging from 20mm to 100mm.
Clipsal and HP Profiles also manufacture their full range of elbows and bends in accordance with Australia’s Best Environmental Practices (BEP) for PVC, as well as AS/NZS usage guidance on colour coding. Their high-grade conduit comes in both gray (electrical) and orange (data or communications), ensuring that follow-on contractors, facility maintenance teams, and especially first responders can see precisely where potentially dangerous cabling is located at all times.
Don’t Neglect the Importance of PVC Inspection Elbow Fittings
Arguably the biggest advantage to using PVC plastic conduit elbows is their ability to isolate cables and wires from their surroundings. And while appropriately spaced junction boxes are crucial for isolating cable faults, as well as simplifying the removal and replacement of obsolete cables, performing these works around bends or corners can be worse than troublesome. This is where PVC inspection elbow fittings really come into their own.
An inspection elbow fitting gives sparkies, technicians, and system engineers the opportunity to safely and efficiently perform their cabling inspections and other works, regardless of any irregularities in the infrastructure. As cable conduits are being installed or upgraded, it’s important for site planners and installers to consider the long-term value of utilizing inspection elbows, as they’re critical for:
- Ensuring that proper, full-length cable inspections are capable of being performed;
- Simplifying the installation of new, or replacement cable runs; and,
- Preventing excessive, or damaging force from being applied to any encased cable during any operation.
When installed by prevailing regulations, an inspection conduit elbow can even be installed underground. They can instantly help eliminate the need for costly, time-consuming excavation works to perform the most routine cable and wiring inspections.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, while the manpower and material costs of replacing snagged or damaged cables around corners can add up, they’re still secondary to the cost of lost productivity during power or connectivity outages. What’s worse, however, is if a damaged cable is able to precipitate a secondary condition that could result in an imminent hazard. This is a situation that needs to be prevented before it happens, and PVC elbows are the best material to do it.
High-quality PVC conduit bends and elbows from Clipsal and HP Profiles are the smart choices for proper cable installs. No matter if it’s above ground or below, they offer all the safety you need, and all the quality you want.