ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Got Glue?

RobbieD,
If there is one thing that I cannot stand, it's the smell of PVC Conduit solvent, it's even worse, if you've got a hangover.
Dunno how the glue-sniffers do it!.

Cleaner/primer might not be listed for use with R.Nonmetallic conduit. I know one thing though, i use more glue lately, cause the bell ends are longer.

What kind of PVC glue do you use?

We usually use this thick gray colored glue, but recently I saw my guys using some regular clear PVC cement and I asked where they got it, because I thought this wasn't right for the soft electrical pvc. They said the supply house gave it to them, so I guess it doesn't matter????

I'd like to learn if there is any technical difference between "electrical (listed) glue" and "plumbing" PVC cement.
Personally, I prefer the grey plumbing glue to the clear electrical glue, because I have more working time, and it matches the pipe color (better than the red/blue/whatever glues). Also, the plumbing glue is available in smaller containers- I don't often do enough PVC to warrant keeping a quart on the truck!

We do glue our direct burial PVC pipes, but we and the Hydro people, do NOT glue the Type II (DBII aka thin wall rigid conduit).

We've used a pvc glue made I believe by carlon.It says on the can it's "especially formulated" for rnc.It also states" not for use for presserized lines".Usually for rnc we use the "rain or shine" glue made by Oatey.It.s a thick bodied glue,blue in color. If it's an exposed job we use the clear.

We don't glue our DB II either only our rigid PVC, maybe Sandro and I are doing something wrong? Just thought thats what everybody did.

Why would it make any difference what thickness the pipe is? I can understand how it's important that the conduit stays connected together, therefore necessitating glue. But, the way some larger runs of pvc go together, I doubt that it could come apart due to ground movement, or backfilling, or concrete pours (assuming it is staked down).

More to the point though, it would seem possible that clay (as well as concrete slurry) could seep into the conduit along with the ground water, and make it hard or impossible to pull the wire out later. Maybe this is why you have to glue it together?

Glue, NAW! We use Scotch Tape. Just kidding. Has anyone had any problem with the ground heaving? Due to frost? Here in NJ I have seen pipes pull apart and the ground move up and down by an inch or so due to the frost. I have seen PVC pipe pull right out of a box because of the frost. I might even get a picture on the board. ( I just need my kid to help with the digital camera. )

Harold.....

A bigger problem I have run into is in new construction, after fresh excavation and then backfill, I have seen many, many cases where the PVC from the meterbase downward into the earth pops out of the meter base because the ground settles (many times after a rainfall) and something has to give!