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

Counterman at the supply house asked me if I glued PVC conduit when installing it under- ground. My answer was yes, to which he said two electrical contractors had just told him that you do not glue PVC conduit when installing it underground. Have I always just done it wrong or what?

Keep on gluing. 2002 352.48

"all joints shall be made by approved method"

I would doubt that no glue is an approved method

We glue our PVC. I would never think of not glueing. However, any conduit installed underground is going to get a lot of water inside, glued or not, due to condensation. This is why the NEC defines underground conduit as a wet location.

the glue will help keep the water out of the conduit too....

I think that those two contractors must of done a bit of glue sniffing in their day!LOL

The best part about gluing is that you have some hope of getting the water out.

Think about this; what if not glueing allows the condensation to drain out?

I know of a guy that didn't glue the pipes in a duct bank that got concrete encased. They don't stay together very well in that scenario!

You "glue guys" probably cut threads in rigid too -- I just put them sticks together with rubber Fernco's...

Len

This will sound strange to you guys I know.Our outfit does plumbing also,we alwaysduct tape a can of cleaner/primer to a can of glue for running pvc drains/waterlines.I know there will be giggles about this, but I,out of habit use the cleaner for pvc conduit also.