A conduit is a tube-like material that is used to protect wires. Manual benders or electric benders are needed to prepare conduit sections at the onset of an installation project. The information below outlines how benders work. Use these tips to accustom yourself to forming a wide range of electric conduit benders.

Benders

Benders are used to form rigid piping, PVC tubing, and electrical tubing. The size of the conduit that is being formed has a bearing on the bender model that is needed to prepare conduit sections. The most basic type of bender is a manual tool. A manual bender contains a handle and a shoe. The groove within the bending shoe provides support to the conduit as it is being formed.

PVC tubing requires the use of an electric bender that produces heat. As the heat comes into contact with the PVC, the plastic coating begins to melt. The melted plastic becomes pliable, allowing the tube formations to be executed properly.

Benders that contain a ratcheting mechanism increase the force that is applied to a conduit. Thicker conduit sections may require the use of this mechanism. Some bender tools contain markings, and these markings indicate the degree to which a piece of conduit is bent. A bender operator can increase the precision of the bends they make by using a marked bender tool.

Scrap Conduit Pieces

One way to acquire plenty of practice bending conduits is by using scrap conduit pieces. If you are an apprentice or are formally training under a licensed contractor, you may have the ability to use scrap materials that are not needed once an electrical installation is complete. The use of scrap materials will prevent you from needing to waste new conduit sections that will be needed for upcoming projects.

Personal Equipment

Before you purchase a brand new pair of benders, rent a pair. Having access to a pair of rental benders will help you learn how a particular model works. A rental facility may feature steel and aluminum benders. Steel benders are heavier than aluminum benders.

If you will be performing a lot of bending applications, rent a pair of lightweight benders that can easily be moved around worksites. Benders should be properly stored with the other essentials that you need for electrical installation jobs. At the end of each project, clean your benders off. Store the benders inside a toolbox or another container that you have designated for your electrical equipment.