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HEAVY-WALL CONDUIT

Description: Heavy-wall, or rigid, conduit comes in the same diameters as thin-wall, but is made of galvanized metal. Walls are also twice as thick, and it is threaded at the ends.

Buying information: Heavy-wall can be installed where it is exposed to the elements, in danger of physical abuse, and underground. For example, it could be buried in a lawn. Another possible use is to carry wire between the main house and an addition or garage.

It can also be used inside walls on new construction. Once in place, and assuming there is space, new wires can be pulled in easily to increase electrical capacity.

Rigid conduit is secured to boxes with pairs of nuts.

How-to hints: Rigid conduit should be cut with a pipe cutter -- it is too laborious a job with a hacksaw. To bend it, use an electrical bender. A variety of fittings are available for rigid conduit to allow it to make turns.

Rigid conduit is difficult to work with because it must be cut to fit precisely between boxes -- just long enough to screw into the boxes. This takes great accuracy and experience and should be left to a professional.

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