Gray PVC vs White PVC

[Sam Branch]

I need help to settle a disagreement. Under the NEC can you use white plumbing PVC in leu of gray listed PVC?

 

[billsnuff]

i think you already answered your question..

listed PVC

page 106 UL White Book 2008

........includes the UL symbol together with the word "LISTED", a control number and the product name

 

[goldstar]

Probably, as long as it's buried. Try getting fittings to match though. It's a little tough pulling wire through a plumbing "L":grin:

 

[don_resqcapt19]

352.6 Listing Requirements.
PVC conduit, factory elbows, and associated fittings shall be listed.

 

[KevinVost]

This topic was visited a few weeks ago. Since, in the listings, white plumbing PVC is NOT listed as an electrical raceway, it is not suitable for use as one.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

It will work just fine but without the UL not legal.

 

[Hendrix]

I need help to settle a disagreement. Under the NEC can you use white plumbing PVC in leu of gray listed PVC?

I would never pass it :grin:

 

[infinity]

I need help to settle a disagreement. Under the NEC can you use white plumbing PVC in leu of gray listed PVC?

What are you using for? As a sleeve it's fine as a raceway it isn't.

 

[Mvillines]

As I recall, water pipe has a pressure rating and electrical conduit has a temperature rating.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

One problem is by using white you might mis lead a plumber that cuts into it by mistake thinking its water. Best just use gray.

Did use 2" gray once on a house i was building for a vent pipe. Inspector was not happy but being he knowed me and explained simply that i was out of white and had gray. Legally he could have red tagged but he used logic and passed it.

Now if i am on a job and need a 3/4 coupling and am out i would borrow one from plumber and hope inspector not make issue.

 

[480sparky]

When it comes to the larger sizes, plumbers stuff gets into being cellular core material.

If you cut a section of gray electrical PVC, no matter what size, you'll see it's solid. Next time you see plumbers gutting white PVC for vents and stack, take a look at the cut end and you'll see a huge difference.

Cellular core means the only the outer and inner surfaces are solid. The rest looks like it's filled with air bubbles.

 

[billsnuff]

480

480

the white book also lists RIGIN NONMETALLIC CELLULAR CORE SCHEDULE 40 PVC CONDUIT (DZLR) in trade sizes 1/2 to 6. page 106 of the 08, FWIW.

there are temperature limitations though.

 

[Jim Shorts]

Some PVC electrical conduits are white. Type A for example.

 

[iwire]

When it comes to the larger sizes, plumbers stuff gets into being cellular core material.

It must be a local thing as you will not find that here, I recently ran some 4" PVC plumbing pipe and it was solid walled.

 

[480sparky]

It must be a local thing as you will not find that here, I recently ran some 4" PVC plumbing pipe and it was solid walled.

Both are made, but usually once the plumbers get into 1?" and larger (for vents and drains only: no pressure), it's cell core.

 

[iwire]

Both are made, but usually once the plumbers get into 1?" and larger (for vents and drains only: no pressure), it's cell core.

I am not saying it's not made, or not available, all I am saying is it is not used in this area that I have ever seen. :smile:

Which leads me to believe it depends where you are if the plumbers use it.:smile:

Here in MA cast iron is still required for non-dwelling units so it would not surprise me that MA would not allow cell core at all.

 

[BenS]

Some PVC electrical conduits are white. Type A for example.

Some plumbing is gray too. There are several electrical & plumbing runs at the site I am working at now that could easily be confused with each other. A little age, maybe some long term UV exposure and schedule 80 PVC and conduit look identical!

 

[vinster888]

Here in MA cast iron is still required for non-dwelling units so it would not surprise me that MA would not allow cell core at all.

oh man! :-?

 

[macmikeman]

Not that I ever use a torch to bend pvc :grin: but anyway, once when I 'wasn't" bending some that way, I also tried to bend a white one for the ac contractor's drain pipe for him so he could saddle a water pipe. I found the white stuff doesn't bend near as well as the gray when a heat source is added, it will kink much easier.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Not that I ever use a torch to bend pvc :grin:

Does that mean you are not really an electrician? :grin:

but anyway, once when I 'wasn't" bending some that way, I also tried to bend a white one for the ac contractor's drain pipe for him so he could saddle a water pipe. I found the white stuff doesn't bend near as well as the gray when a heat source is added, it will kink much easier.

That's interesting.