Eddy Current
Senior Member
For the first time ive been running a lot of aluminum conduit. Is the pipe grease supposed to be for sealing or for repealing rust. I noticed on the bottle it said something about maintaining conductivity.
Dumb question about pipe dope
- Thread starter Eddy Current
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jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Some specs on jobs have called for this stuff. It is called kopr shield. It helps prevent corrosion and is supposed to help with conductivity also.
http://www-public.tnb.com//shared/inst/ta02445-tb2.pdf
http://www-public.tnb.com//shared/inst/ta02445-tb2.pdf
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
When I was running AL we were in a food plant and had to use non-toxic (edible) lube. It looked like vaseline. I was told that not only did it act as a sealant, it also helped keep the threads from galling and binding.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Kopr-shield would not be suitable for use with aluminum conduit. Penetrox A is often specified for aluminum conduit threads. There are other compounds that also could be used. Just like with aluminum conductors, the compounds are intended to prevent the formation of aluminum oxide which is not conductive.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
I should have been more clear. I was not suggesting he use Kopr-shield. I was trying to say that specs may have "pipe dope"/thread compound in them. I used that kopr-shield stuff on Rob Roy RMC we ran at a Transco gas line pumping station in VA.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Regarding your use of the phrase, "pipe dope," I have only heard that used in the context of pipe thread compound, soemthing found in a plumber's toolbox. Does it have an application to our industry as well? Just curious.
John120/240
Senior Member
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas
Yes "pipe dope" to me means plumber's pipe sealant. Kopr shield, Pentrox A would be used in
the electrical field. Then there is anti seize compound. The context where pipe dope is used is
everything. Granted we are not English majors or even English minors.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
IIRC, it was food grade Penetrox A we used on our Al RMC.
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