How to Lay Conduits in Existent Buildings

Conduit is pipe designed for electrical wires to be run through it. Its purpose is to protect the wires from mechanical damages and keep hands away from the conductors. For this reason, conduit is required anytime a wire is run outside a wall system or on the exterior of a building. Laying conduit in an existing building requires planning an path and bending the conduit to follow the desired direction.

Measuring tape
EMT conduit
EMT bender
Conduit supports
Drill
Screws

Instructions

- 1
  Decide on a path along the outside of the wall from the source of the power to the device to which you wish to provide electricity. This path should be at least 18 inches above the ground while consisting of straight sections with corners no greater than a quarter turn. The run should have no more than one full circle of total turns to facilitate the fishing of the wires.
- 2
  Sketch the conduit's path on a piece of paper, making note of the length of the straight sections and the number of degrees of each corner.
- 3
  Lay the conduit on the ground and measure from the start of the pipe to the first corner. Mark this location with a marker and write the size of the bend on the pipe. Repeat this step to mark each of the corners in the run.
- 4
  Position the EMT bender around the pipe in the location of the first bend. Place the pipe on the ground with the bender's handle facing upwards. Push on the handle with both hands to bend the pipe to the desired angle. Repeat this step to bend the pipe at each corner. Periodically check your bends against the wall to assure your work is accurate.
- 5
  Hold the conduit against the wall in the location where you want to install it. Place a conduit clamp two feet from the start of the run and secure it to the wall with the drill and screws. Install a clamp every three feet using the same technique.

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