atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Cable Tuggers

We have a greenlee tugger and I have only used it on larger guage copper say 500mcm never with anything low voltage.

The heaters for the pvc you can get the big one and it works good, keep rotating the pipe or you risk burning it. I never used air to keep the pipe from colapsing, just take your time and when I get it layed out in the bend I want a wet rag to help cool it down, keep going over it to keep it's shape till it's solid again.

Vance:

I think if you asked for a sweep elbow, you might have better luck with them. They are very common with most larger supply houses.

I never used air to keep the pipe from collapsing

"Collapse" is probably not the right term. I've had it kink or not maintain it's diameter where the bend is. If you heat it properly that is a real problem. I've heard of some people packing the conduit with sand before heating but that makes it a real PITA to get it hot.

Unless I'm bending small stuff like 1/2 to 1" I automatically pressurize the conduit before heating. All you need is about 10psi. Greenlee makes a plug kit for the purpose and I use a flat tank equipped with a self venting pressure regulator and gauge.

Actually they claim that just plugging the length then the air expanding while heating is sufficient but I've never seen that to be true.

-Hal

OK next time I go by the Graybar counter I'll ask in person vs over the phone. Typically, the guys at the counter who their stuff much more than the inside sales people.

If not, Ebay has them - https://cgi.ebay.com/4-PVC-90-degre...e-80_W0QQitemZ310102019618QQcmdZViewItem

I keep sending emails over to the guy doing the PVC work ... as in ... hint hint!!! ... you know when we finally get there to pull the fiber/copper it will have standard 90s, no innerduct, and no junctions - .

You using sched. 80?

-Hal

That's what they told me. Isn't schedule 80 what they want? Thicker wall, stronger. At least schedule 80 for the corners I would think.

Edit: Oh frack! - - the inner diameter is a lot smaller on schedule 80 ... 3.33" ... so much for putting in 4 1.25" innerducts (tight) ... do I hear 3??

Their pathway runs under paved driveways that giant trucks drive over - you'd think even if they use concrete/encasement that they would want a strong PVC I guess.

Hal, I've heard the plug trick works too and I have tried it but never with good results, always had a few wrinkles in it. Although I will tape the ends of larger diameter pvc, it seems to help hold the heat in a little longer to get a nice smooth bend. Don't have to hurry to make sure you get it bent before it hardens. Never tried sand either. I would think that would be more of a hassle than it's worth.

I asked them 40 vs 80 question in a new thread since I already got the answer on using a tugger, and the subject had changed.