Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

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electrojet

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Is the Grey schedule 40 PVC used for direct burial wet location the same as the white schedule 40 PVC used for plumbing?

Also, can the PVC glue for white schedule 40 PVC be used for Grey Schedule 40 PVC ?

The reason I am asking this question is that a colleague of mine says they are the same.


thanks,

ElectroJet
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

I never heard of direct burial wet location, Can someone explain that one to me. Is ther such a thing? I would guess all burial would be considered wet location. Unless its in a desert.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

I agree with that, Tom.

I am guessing there is some other difference between plumbing PVC and electrical PVC. I wonder if both are rated for exposure to sunlight??

Steve
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Is the Grey schedule 40 PVC used for direct burial wet location the same as the white schedule 40 PVC used for plumbing?
Click to expand...
Are they the same chemically? Maybe, I'm not sure. Can they be used interchangeably? No, plumbing pipe cannot be used as conduit.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Originally posted by electrojet:
Is the Grey schedule 40 PVC ...the same as the white schedule 40 PVC used for plumbing?
Click to expand...
Of course not...the grey is to keep water OUT, the white is to keep water IN.
:p )
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

From my understanding, the difference is how the products are tested and listed for use. White PVC pipe is tested for internal pressure and moderate impact strength. Gray pipe is tested for impact rating, crush rating, and sunlight resistance. Also, color is a great indicator for identification.

Have you ever been in a facility where everything is rigid pipe? I worked at an agricultural facility once where structural supports, gas lines, water lines, and electrical conduit were all over the place and it would occasionally get quite confusing which was what.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Originally posted by bphgravity:
Also, color is a great indicator for identification.

Have you ever been in a facility where everything is rigid pipe? I worked at an agricultural facility once where structural supports, gas lines, water lines, and electrical conduit were all over the place and it would occasionally get quite confusing which was what.
Click to expand...
This is where painting the pipework of different systems different colors comes in really handy. I worked in a chemical plant once that had at least 30 different piping color codes. It looked like a rainbow maze when you looked up at the ceiling. It did make life much easier, though.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Grey electrical conduit has a higher temperature rating than white PVC water pipe. Therefore, you cannot use white PVC pipe as a sleeve around grey PVC that passes through a concrete floor or foundation.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Color coding does not always work:

1. One out of 3 black men and a smaller fraction of white men have red-orange-yellow-green color blindness. One of my problems with finding work is that there is at least 1 colorblind electrician running around Cleveland, Ohio.

2. A lot of white florklift truck drivers cannot see a solid yellow or solid orange extension cord. They can see a cord that has contrasting stripes. This might have something to do with how coral snakes are h#!!atiously poisonous and garter snakes can only give you tetanus of gangrene.

In a related matter, the only way that I can get an extension cord that is oil and water resistant and has industrial thickness insulation is to make one from components. The cord only comes in black and I have to put yellow, orange, red, or blue tape rings on it depending on what the voltage is.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

I think mc5w is probably right about electrical conduit having a higher temp. I would expect the glue to be made for a higher temp. also.

I also think Bryan has a good point. You shouldn't use plumbing pipe for electrical just because someone will think it is plumbing pipe. I would hate to be responsible for someone cutting into a feeder with a hacksaw because I used plumbing pipe.

Steve
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Electrojet, I will step out & say pvc glue is pvc glue & you won't have an issue between plumbing & electrical pvc. Plumbers will have to test theirs for leaks anyway. Ron
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

The differences in glue can be identified by checking the can.
I know the glue for ENT is a special type.
Sch 40; I'd have to check.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

If you take a propane torch and do the thing that the code book say's not to do which is bend the stuff using the torch, which I always use regardless, you will find that the white stuff does not take to bending as well as the grey. This leads me to conclude the white has a different makeup than the grey, whether or not they contain the same chemical compounds. P.S. In my area if you were to use any white pvc fitting or white pvc you are not going to pass any inspection by the local ahj's.
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

mc5w
Therefore, you cannot use white PVC pipe as a sleeve around grey PVC that passes through a concrete floor or foundation.
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I don't recall a code section that specifies the material that is to be used as a sleeve. Can you cite it please? Thanks.
Don
 
Re: Grey PVC for direct burial wet locations

Originally posted by mc5w:
Grey electrical conduit has a higher temperature rating than white PVC water pipe. Therefore, you cannot use white PVC pipe as a sleeve around grey PVC that passes through a concrete floor or foundation.
Click to expand...
So you would say I can not run gray PVC through a wood stud because the stud does not have a temp rating? :roll:

Really, do us a favor, if you are going to tell us something provide at least a little bit of reference to back it up. :mad:

[ June 09, 2005, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
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