Underground PVC Repair

[tkb]

I am on a job that had a 4" PVC conduit damaged by the backhoe digging for the sire lighting.

To repair the 4" PVC in the trench since I can't get the pipe to bend and I only have 3' to work with, is a PVC expansion coupling acceptable for the conduit repair?

 

[Rampage_Rick]

Usually telescopic fittings are only used for plumbing. Split-piece repairs are used for electrical since they don't have to contain any pressure.

 

[tkb]

Not a plumbing fitting.

http://www.carlonsales.com/techinfo/installationtraining/IT-ISEXPJT.pdf

 

[jumper]

Not a plumbing fitting.

http://www.carlonsales.com/techinfo/installationtraining/IT-ISEXPJT.pdf

Yep.

I know of no rule that says you cannot install an expansion fitting for another reason other than expansion.

As long as your fitting is listed for the location it is to be installed, I see no problem, other than the fitting could be a tad pricey.

 

[tkb]

Expansion couplings are easier to get than the split kits.

 

[jumper]

Expansion couplings are easier to get than the split kits.

True.

If the expansion coupling works for you, I say go for it.

Bob/iwire will now post shortly with a code section showing where I am wrong.

 

[ActionDave]

I am on a job that had a 4" PVC conduit damaged by the backhoe digging for the sire lighting.

To repair the 4" PVC in the trench since I can't get the pipe to bend and I only have 3' to work with, is a PVC expansion coupling acceptable for the conduit repair?

I've done it at least ten times. Works great.

 

[ActionDave]

True.

If the expansion coupling works for you, I say go for it.

Bob/iwire will now post shortly with a code section showing where I am wrong.

Let's get ready to rrrrrrrumble!

 

[Cow]

I've used expansion fittings on many occasions where I didn't have enough ditch open to bow the conduit into a proper coupling. If the conduit has wire in it, get the split conduit Rick posted. It works far better than the other types I've used. I always take it a step further and get some stainless hose clamps to go around it in at least 3 places to make sure it never comes apart again. The hard part is cutting the broken ends of the conduit straight without knicking the wire....

 

[iwire]

True.

If the expansion coupling works for you, I say go for it.

Bob/iwire will now post shortly with a code section showing where I am wrong.

Hey, I have ground the bump out of standard couplings so I could slid them out of the way to make room for a repair section.

 

[10fords]

Hey, I have ground the bump out of standard couplings so I could slid them out of the way to make room for a repair section.

I cut the bell end off a stick of conduit and use it as a slip coupling. The local utility co. has off the shelf slip couplers, but I don't know where they get them. I've never used one of those split piece repairs- Who makes them? Seems like they would be slick for the rare time when there is damaged conduit with undamaged wires in it.

 

[ActionDave]

I cut the bell end off a stick of conduit and use it as a slip coupling. The local utility co. has off the shelf slip couplers, but I don't know where they get them. I've never used one of those split piece repairs- Who makes them? Seems like they would be slick for the rare time when there is damaged conduit with undamaged wires in it.

Carlon for one, I'm sure there are others.

I've made my own on a table saw before. You have go up a pipe size, set the fence a tad off center, and use two whole pieces of pipe to get each half in order to make up for the material that is lost to the saw kerf.

 

[ptonsparky]

I have used both. The splits are hard to find. Jumping up a size and adding some reducers allows for staggered splicing of the conductors that were damaged. Irreversible crimp and heat shrink only.