Steel conduit in tight spaces

[JosephandAmber]

I need to run a length of steel conduit. One end it will connect into a standard 25mm BESA box, on the other end, it will go into a sharp elbow. The conduit has to thread through a hole in the floor that is very close to the wall. If I thread the conduit through the hole and then place either the BESA box or the elbow on, it stops me from being able to turn the remainder 360 to screw in the other end.

Is there a trick I don't know about when in situations like this?

 

[LewisM]

Nipple in the BESA Box then a running coupler.

 

[ipf]

Running coupling.

 

[JosephandAmber]

Amazing. I've never had to do a running coupler until now. Just looked on youtube and see exactly what you mean. Thanks!

 

[Pete999]

I need to run a length of steel conduit. One end it will connect into a standard 25mm BESA box, on the other end, it will go into a sharp elbow. The conduit has to thread through a hole in the floor that is very close to the wall. If I thread the conduit through the hole and then place either the BESA box or the elbow on, it stops me from being able to turn the remainder 360 to screw in the other end.

Is there a trick I don't know about when in situations like this?

Use a running coupler (Google will help) to complicated to explain for me, not any good at drawing etc, try Google or You tube, sure you will find something to show you how it's done, good luck.

 

[7029 dave]

Amazing. I've never had to do a running coupler until now. Just looked on youtube and see exactly what you mean. Thanks!

Well there you go, first time for everything.

 

[Pete999]

Well there you go, first time for everything.

You're welcome, , ,

 

[7029 dave]

Always made my own nipple, just kept threading until got fed up and made a few in no time.

 

[freddo]

Always made my own nipple, just kept threading until got fed up and made a few in no time.

Dead easy with an electric threader!

 

[telectrix]

Dead easy with an electric threader!

wimp machine! three words.

 

[Pete999]

Dead easy with an electric threader!

Softie three words

 

[davesparks]

How long is the conduit? If its long enough it'll have enough flexibility to pull it away from the wall enough to screw a box onto it.

 

[telectrix]

any apprentice woth his salt has done hundreds by hand with only his sweat as lubricant. man up.

 

[freddo]

Softie three words

Now I've used it for a while, I wouldn't be without it. Hand threader still used for threading stupidly close to a bend.

 

[JosephandAmber]

Out of interest, anyone want to enlighten me as to what a 300mm nipple would ever be used for? Metpro 25mm Screwed 300mm long nipple - https://www.edwardes.co.uk/products/metpro-25mm-screwed-300mm-long-nipple

 

[davesparks]

Out of interest, anyone want to enlighten me as to what a 300mm nipple would ever be used for? Metpro 25mm Screwed 300mm long nipple - https://www.edwardes.co.uk/products/metpro-25mm-screwed-300mm-long-nipple

You cut it down to the length required when you need a bit of pipe which is too short to physically fit in a vice an thread both ends of.
Such as when going through a single skin wall.

 

[freddo]

Usually cut down to the size you need, useful when you need a short piece between female sockets that are too short to thread. Must be painted like all exposed threads.
Edit: I was well slow.

 

[JosephandAmber]

One more question for you guys.

When joining conduit to an external waterproof socket is it okay to use standard couplers or should I really use flanged couplers? I'm just thinking about ensuring the best waterproof seal possible. I see some flanged couplers come with rubber washers and some with lead.

 

[KennyKen]

I think you’ve answered your own question. Flanged couplers on external applications

 

[davesparks]

Normally flanged couplers shouldn't have rubber washers as that will hinder the earth continuity.

If you mean joining a steel conduit to a plastic external socket then I guess replacing the soft metal seal of a flanged coupler with a rubber one is the best plan.

 

[freddo]

Barton Conduit list 2 flanged couplers, one supplied with a lead washer, the other with a neoprene washer. I've only ever seen the ones with a lead washer though.

 

[JosephandAmber]

Good points re earth continuity. In my case, I'm attaching to plastic outdoor sockets. still, very hard to come by flanged couplers with rubber washers.

I do also find it weird how you can't find rubber gaskets for tees or inspection elbows. You'd think they are equally prone to water ingress as a BESA box, for which gaskets are easily available.

 

[freddo]

Unfortunately electrical installation components are available in only a limited range of styles and sizes, many less common items are very difficult to get hold of. If you go to America you can get anything you want from the local DIY store. Most of the items in that link look far superior to the junk we have available here.

 

[ipf]

I do also find it weird how you can't find rubber gaskets for tees or inspection elbows. You'd think they are equally prone to water ingress as a BESA box, for which gaskets are easily available.

Get some box gaskets and cut them to suit.
Good scissors and a bit of practice.
I always use box tees and angles anyway with natural bending, very occasionally elbows, due to lack of room.

 

[JosephandAmber]

Unfortunately electrical installation components are available in only a limited range of styles and sizes, many less common items are very difficult to get hold of. If you go to America you can get anything you want from the local DIY store. Most of the items in that link look far superior to the junk we have available here.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Conduit-Fittings/Galvanized-Steel/N-5yc1vZbohkZ1z0ugnq?experienceName=default&Nao=48&Ns=None&storeSelection=2408,2414,2409,2407,2404

Wow! I can't understand why we don't have the same range available in Europe/UK. Some very handy bits there.

 

[davesparks]

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Electrical-Boxes-Conduit-Fittings-Conduit-Fittings/Galvanized-Steel/N-5yc1vZbohkZ1z0ugnq?experienceName=default&Nao=48&Ns=None&storeSelection=2408,2414,2409,2407,2404

Wow! I can't understand why we don't have the same range available in Europe/UK. Some very handy bits there.

Which bits do you think would be useful in the UK?
I can't see much there that either there isn't an equivalent available here or is of much use here.

There are some fittings which used to be common in the UK but don't seem to be widely available any more, if at all. I often want tangent boxes for surface work.

 

[pc1966]

Which bits do you think would be useful in the UK?
I can't see much there that either there isn't an equivalent available here or is of much use here.

There are some fittings which used to be common in the UK but don't seem to be widely available any more, if at all. I often want tangent boxes for surface work.

I don't think I have seen an offset nipple (at least in conduit).

Is this the sort of tangent box you mean?

Galvanized Tangent Tee Box 20mm CBT320G | J Harries Ltd

jharries.co.uk

 

[davesparks]

I don't think I have seen an offset nipple (at least in conduit).

Is this the sort of tangent box you mean?

Galvanized Tangent Tee Box 20mm CBT320G | J Harries Ltd

jharries.co.uk

That's exactly the boxes I've tried to get before, it seems my wholesaler need to look a little harder next time!