Unsticking Two Electrical Conduits?

[W. Watson]

Is there some way to to separate two PVC condcuits that are glued together?
One is stuck vertically into the ground, and the coupler is about 8" above
ground. Heating didn't quite work. The upper conduit is about 3" long. The
diameters of the conduits are 1.5".

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

"It is important to realize that in physics today,
we have no knowledge of what energy is ... It is
an abstract thing ..." -- Richard Feynman

 

[DaveM]

Is there some way to to separate two PVC condcuits that are glued together?
One is stuck vertically into the ground, and the coupler is about 8" above
ground. Heating didn't quite work. The upper conduit is about 3" long. The
diameters of the conduits are 1.5".

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

"It is important to realize that in physics today,
we have no knowledge of what energy is ... It is
an abstract thing ..." -- Richard Feynman

Yes, Watson, there *IS* a way to separate those conduits. Run, don't walk, to
your nearest hardware store and buy the cheapest hacksaw they haven and return
forthwith to the conduit location. Proceed to saw the conduit through with the
hacksaw, being *VERY* careful not to disturb the contents of the conduit,
particularly if they are energized.
Seriously... PVC conduit is glued with a solvent glue, which means that the
original two pieces of conduit are now effectively and hopelessly welded
together. The usual means of separating the conduit is by sawing it apart.
If you want to mate them back together after you've worked your magic on the
contents, just make sure that you get a coupler of the same size and material
while you're at the hardware store. And a length of conduit to reconnect the
ends. And a small can of PVC cement. Solvent cleaner is highly recommended,
but not absolutely necessary if the conduit surfaces are clean.

Cheers!!!
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)

Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.

 

[PeterD]

Is there some way to to separate two PVC condcuits that are glued together?
One is stuck vertically into the ground, and the coupler is about 8" above
ground. Heating didn't quite work. The upper conduit is about 3" long. The
diameters of the conduits are 1.5".

If they are glued together, then (unless it was done poorly) it is
pernament!

 

[James Sweet]

Is there some way to to separate two PVC condcuits that are glued
together? One is stuck vertically into the ground, and the coupler is
about 8" above ground. Heating didn't quite work. The upper conduit is
about 3" long. The diameters of the conduits are 1.5".

Not really, that glue welds the plastic. You have to cut it off to
separate it.

 

[W. Watson]

Fortunately, my local h/w store had a conduit magic wand that would do the
trick. However, they were out of stock. Apparently, some guy who was buying
something called the London Bridge had bought them.

With a little more thinking and strategizing, I found a place to cut that
got me around the problem. However, while I was struggling with a way to
separate them, I did make progress with heat and peeling one pipe away from
the other. Just too awkward to continue.

However, I ran into the opposite problem last night. Putting two 45 degree
bends for 1.5" conduit together. Sanding didn't help. A visit to the h/w
didn't help either. I had a limited choice, since I had cut one of the
bends. Soap? I'm going to cross my fingers and hope the glue will act as a
lubricant. If not, I'm out $12 and some more time.

Yes, Watson, there *IS* a way to separate those conduits. Run, don't walk, to
your nearest hardware store and buy the cheapest hacksaw they haven and return
forthwith to the conduit location. Proceed to saw the conduit through with the
hacksaw, being *VERY* careful not to disturb the contents of the conduit,
particularly if they are energized.
Seriously... PVC conduit is glued with a solvent glue, which means that the
original two pieces of conduit are now effectively and hopelessly welded
together. The usual means of separating the conduit is by sawing it apart.
If you want to mate them back together after you've worked your magic on the
contents, just make sure that you get a coupler of the same size and material
while you're at the hardware store. And a length of conduit to reconnect the
ends. And a small can of PVC cement. Solvent cleaner is highly recommended,
but not absolutely necessary if the conduit surfaces are clean.

Cheers!!!

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

"It is important to realize that in physics today,
we have no knowledge of what energy is ... It is
an abstract thing ..." -- Richard Feynman

 

[Homer J Simpson]

However, I ran into the opposite problem last night. Putting two 45 degree
bends for 1.5" conduit together.

You need to use a few inches of conduit to connect them. Be aware that there
is a code limit on the total 'degrees of bending' in a given run - you may
need an elbow with a screw cover. You also may find it an SOB to pull
through too many bends.


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[Jerry Peters]

Fortunately, my local h/w store had a conduit magic wand that would do the
trick. However, they were out of stock. Apparently, some guy who was buying
something called the London Bridge had bought them.

With a little more thinking and strategizing, I found a place to cut that
got me around the problem. However, while I was struggling with a way to
separate them, I did make progress with heat and peeling one pipe away from
the other. Just too awkward to continue.

However, I ran into the opposite problem last night. Putting two 45 degree
bends for 1.5" conduit together. Sanding didn't help. A visit to the h/w
didn't help either. I had a limited choice, since I had cut one of the
bends. Soap? I'm going to cross my fingers and hope the glue will act as a
lubricant. If not, I'm out $12 and some more time.

Not a lubricant, the glue softens the surface of the conduit and
coupling. The fit is deliberately made tight because of this effect.

Jerry