Cutting pvc pipe without removing wires

[Vinniem]

I have to do a job where a roofer damaged a service head made of pvc and now it has to be replaced. Without pulling out the wires, is there an easier way to cut the pipe? Thanks for any suggestions.

[buck33k]

I've used nylon string to cut thr PVC but you still must be careful not to damage the insulation.

[Ken9876]

I use pvc cutters, barely in and ring it around the pipe and then snap it off.

[480sparky]

Head down to the Big Orange or Big Blue store and go to the plumbing section. They have wire saws made for cutting PVC.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Tools/pvcwiresaw.jpg

Two cautions about them.

1. They will not be nice and straight once you use it. It will curl up like crazy.
2. It will get hot when you use it, so let it cool down before you grab the wire.

[Tonybugs72]

Try using a tubing cutter like plumbers use. Don't need much pressure and they come in all sizes. Slip something between the conduit and wire for safety if possible. Otherwise slow is the way to go

[satcom]

We watched a guy using the string wire to remove a service head with live conductors, the fire department got the fire out pretty fast, but it took some time for the medics to move the guy after he fell off the ladder, trying to save time may take more time and money.

[Tonybugs72]

We watched a guy using the string wire to remove a service head with live conductors, the fire department got the fire out pretty fast, but it took some time for the medics to move the guy after he fell off the ladder, trying to save time may take more time and money.

Definately not a situation you want to be in. Get an off/on permit. The only way to go here.

[220/221]

Don't you have to remove/disconnect the wires to replace the service head?



There are several methods to use if you need to cut occupied PVC. The method depends on the circumstances.

Tubing cutter is clean but you need to have room to work and big enough cutters.

Ringing with PVC cutters is a little more dangerous and, again, you have to have room to work and big enough cutters.

If one end is open you can slip EMT over the conductors and cut/ring with a sawsall.

You can also of course just use a saw blade and some finesse.

[mcclary's electrical]

Ratcheting PVC cutters,,,,set to depth correctly. Ratchet in just barely shy of penetrating pipe. Ring it around pipe several times. Then bend pvc back and forth a few times and it will break off clean.

[Cow]

Seems like most of the time I ring 'em and snap 'em with a Sawzall. Patience is key.

[brantmacga]

Seems like most of the time I ring 'em and snap 'em with a Sawzall. Patience is key.

I do this all the time. Use ratcheting cutters. You don't have to cut all the way through; just get it close and it will break easily on the cut line. Use a knife to ream the edges.

[Cow]

I do this all the time. Use ratcheting cutters. You don't have to cut all the way through; just get it close and it will break easily on the cut line. Use a knife to ream the edges.

My ratcheting cutters only go to 1.25"

[e57]

Any nylon string and a little friction will do it - however, it will also cut insulation if not carefully done. These are SERVICE conductors? Live SERVICE conductors - it would be best not to cut it with any metal cutting method since you might value your life? Since you're not removing the wire for whatever reason, and cutting the conduit - how are you then completing the conduit system after that? Gluing in a head fitting? Maybe take a look at 300.18(A)... While it is a minor code violation to install conductors in incomplete raceways - cutting into energized service conduits and inadvertently the conductors is a recipe for disaster. A little labor pulling and repulling the conductors IMO is the best way...

[Buck Parrish]

I have to do a job where a roofer damaged a service head made of pvc and now it has to be replaced. Without pulling out the wires, is there an easier way to cut the pipe? Thanks for any suggestions.

You will want to have the poco cut the power first.

[K8MHZ]

Isn't there something in the NEC about having to have a complete raceway system before conductors are pulled into it?

I believe the intent of the code is to prevent damage to the wiring.

(end disclaimer)

I have had to cut PVC with conductors in it and the best thing is to be able to take your time. Having someone bird dogging you will almost insure failure.

The flexible saws are the best suggestions. I have used nearly every kind. The trick is to not cut all the way through. Just score all the way around, leaving a few thousandths of an inch of plastic un-cut. Then, carefully break the pipe by bending, tapping or prying, depending on how it is secured. You may have to smooth the cut end with sandpaper.

But the above is a MOOT POINT!!

The roofer should have to pay for the damage and the repair should be done properly. You should not have to figure out a cheap (read unsafe / illegal) way to fix the damage. The repair should be made properly and safely and the roofer should get the bill.

[hardworkingstiff]

I have to do a job where a roofer damaged a service head made of pvc and now it has to be replaced. Without pulling out the wires, is there an easier way to cut the pipe? Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm curious as to where you are cutting? Are you cutting just below the service head to glue on a new one? If so, can you break the head off in pieces? If you can, then you could hold a metal guard inside the pipe while you cut with PVC cutter by just starting to break through the PVC with the blade and roating it around the pipe (along with the metal protector inside the PVC).

I also think if you try, you might be able to break the old glued section off the PVC in pieces.

I also assume you WILL perform this with the service conductors disconnected!

[brantmacga]

My ratcheting cutters only go to 1.25"

you can get them up to two inches that i know of. . .


and when i said i do it all the time, i didn't mean on service masts.


i do it on pools mostly; they usually have the pool light cords or fiber optic cables fished through the conduit when i get there.

[Cow]

you can get them up to two inches that i know of. . .

Yeah, I've seen 'em. Too big for my taste.

I mostly need to chop down 1.5"+ conduits going underground from existing pump panels that are being replaced with larger panels.

[quogueelectric]

This is one of my favorite tricks ............. Just use mason line to cut through the pvc. Get a couple of sticks and wrap about 2 feet between the sticks Any color will do. Pull back and forth untill it gets started and begins to cut. The mason line will not damage the conductors in the pipe unless you really try. Practice on a piece of 3/4 once or twice until you get the hang of it. Bad idea for 4 inch then you want togo to wire at this size it will cut it but you will struggle.

[George Stolz]

You will want to have the poco cut the power first.

Agreed.......

[Chamuit]

You will want to have the poco cut the power first.

Agreed.......

There ain't a (small) fuse if you hit those lines. Caution (safety, safety, safety) is called for.

[480sparky]

There ain't a (small) fuse if you hit those lines. Caution (safety, safety, safety) is called for.


Sure there is! It's called the service entrance conductor......... short it out long enough and it becomes a 'fusible link'! :D


Actually, I like to say, "There's nothing between you and Hoover Dam."

[Chamuit]

Sure there is! It's called the service entrance conductor......... short it out long enough and it becomes a 'fusible link'! :D


Actually, I like to say, "There's nothing between you and Hoover Dam."

Hee hee :grin:

[e57]

Sure there is! It's called the service entrance conductor......... short it out long enough and it becomes a 'fusible link'! :D


Actually, I like to say, "There's nothing between you and Hoover Dam."And you (if you're the dope cutting the SEC) may be purchasing all of the equipment damaged, and possibly other litigious damages and fines from the POCO or AHJ. I like to say - The "fuse" might be a 30KVA transformer, $10K fine and your neighbors house, maybe your own too - or all of the above.

A while back (decade) a GC here decided to move a service by taking it off the wall and shifting it over - the mast snapped, shorted, as the lines melted together they eventually fell onto the neighbors front steps - igniting them into a small fire - which the fire dept promtly put out, and used pick axes to make sure they were out. The neutral must have been the first to go - since every electrical device in the house he intially did this to let the smoke out - and along with most of the neighbors - every house on that transformer. When I got there - to put the new service back on the original building people were still finding things to add to the tally... Cars with molten plastic and metal dripped on them from above - appliances, TV's and the POCO decided the transformer was damaged in this and needed to be replaced. That GC got to pay for all of it... No one wants to be that guy.

[480sparky]

And you (if you're the dope cutting the SEC) may be purchasing all of the equipment damaged, and possibly other litigious damages and fines from the POCO or AHJ. I like to say - The "fuse" might be a 30KVA transformer, $10K fine and your neighbors house, maybe your own too - or all of the above.

A while back (decade) a GC here decided to move a service by taking it off the wall and shifting it over - the mast snapped, shorted, as the lines melted together they eventually fell onto the neighbors front steps - igniting them into a small fire - which the fire dept promtly put out, and used pick axes to make sure they were out. The neutral must have been the first to go - since every electrical device in the house he intially did this to let the smoke out - and along with most of the neighbors - every house on that transformer. When I got there - to put the new service back on the original building people were still finding things to add to the tally... Cars with molten plastic and metal dripped on them from above - appliances, TV's and the POCO decided the transformer was damaged in this and needed to be replaced. That GC got to pay for all of it... No one wants to be that guy.


But, the power was still turned off, wasn't it? http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/retard.gif Mission acomplished, then. :D

[Jake49]

There is a tool made to accomplish this. I used one on a project about 2 months ago. It is called a conduit splitter (What other name would it be called) and I borrowed it from the Directional Boring Contractor. It looks and acts more or less like a can opener and the depth can be set where you don't have to worry about cutting the wires. After cutting around the conduit you can cut up the side and be able to remove the conduit from around the wires. I still haven't found out where to purchase one and the Boring guy did not remember where he got it but I know it's out there cause I used one and if you can find it please let me know from where.

Thanks,
Jake49

[cowboyjwc]

Wow all these fancy tricks and all this time I was just really careful with a hacksaw.:)

[N844AA]

Wow all these fancy tricks and all this time I was just really careful with a hacksaw.:)

Is that one of those things that hold a saw blade in a frame with a wooden handle? It's manual, right? You have to manually push it back and forth? Kinda like a Sawzall but it's somehow powered by the muscles in your arm?

[480sparky]

Is that one of those things that hold a saw blade in a frame with a wooden handle? It's manual, right? You have to manually push it back and forth? Kinda like a Sawzall but it's somehow powered by the muscles in your arm?


I've heard of those things. Don't recall seeing one, though. :D

[cowboyjwc]

Is that one of those things that hold a saw blade in a frame with a wooden handle? It's manual, right? You have to manually push it back and forth? Kinda like a Sawzall but it's somehow powered by the muscles in your arm?

I've heard of those things. Don't recall seeing one, though. :D

You young kids an all your fancy tools. Bet you never had to use a yankee either.

When I was a kid we didn't even have electricity, we had to drill out the studs with a sharp rock.:D

[Den]

I have used a heat gun to soften the pipe and then its easy to pull out a chunk and see the wires to protect them to finish cutting the pipe

[480sparky]

You young kids an all your fancy tools. Bet you never had to use a yankee either.

When I was a kid we didn't even have electricity, we had to drill out the studs with a sharp rock.:D

Who's young? Just so you know, my first hammer drill was one of these:


http://media.mydoitbest.com/imagerequest.aspx?sku=304744&size=2&warehouse=C&newsize=600

[e57]

But, the power was still turned off, wasn't it? http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/retard.gif Mission acomplished, then. :DIt was turned off for several days - when I showed up a lynch mob was forming, and I had to talk quick to explain that I had nothing to do with the big fiasco the CG did.

[N844AA]

You young kids an all your fancy tools. Bet you never had to use a yankee either.


LOL, I'm so old I remember when Wiremold was something you found in old pull boxes!

[mivey]

You young kids an all your fancy tools. Bet you never had to use a yankee either.

When I was a kid we didn't even have electricity, we had to drill out the studs with a sharp rock.:DAround here, only the spoiled kids had sharp rocks.

[mivey]

Who's young? Just so you know, my first hammer drill was one of these:Mine too. In those days, I had a set of hammer drills, and the busted knuckles to go with it.

[Den]

I've got a yankee. Havn't used it for years because I had to order bits. I seen our local Menards has them new with quicktach 1/4 bit holder. I might have to upgrade.

[LarryFine]

When I was a kid we didn't even have electricity, we had to drill out the studs with a sharp rock.:DAround here, only the spoiled kids had sharp rocks.
"We were so poor, the whole family had to share one pair of shoes."

"You had feet?!"

[cowboyjwc]

Around here, only the spoiled kids had sharp rocks.

Yeah, I meant a sharp rock that we had to trade the spoiled kids our feet for. Yeah, that's the ticket.

[K8MHZ]

Star bits actually are not that bad to use, especially when it comes to making larger holes.

Used along with a standard chisel, you can actually make some nice looking holes. AND you can make them nearly any shape.