Can You Run Electrical Wire Through PVC Pipe?

Have you ever wondered Can You Run Electrical Wire Through PVC Pipe? PVC pipes are made from plastic and vinyl, known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These popular pipe types are frequently used in plumbing as a cheaper alternative to copper piping.

The electrical conduit is also made from PVC. While both standard PVC and electrical conduit PVC are created from the same type of plastic, they are not interchangeable and should not be used for the same purposes. Each should only be used for the purpose it was designed for.

an You Run Electrical Wire Through PVC Pipe?

You can’t code, but you can do it in practice. PVC electrical conduit is a conduit, while PVC pipe is a pipe. Straight portions of pipe/conduits are occasionally replaced for one another, especially for underground use where the markings on the side of the pipe/conduit cannot be checked.

Using plumbing fittings for the electrical conduit isn’t a good idea (both legally and practically). Plumbing fittings have a very tight radius of 90, whereas electrical conduit fittings have a big radius, allowing wires to be dragged through.

Conduit lengths are also bell-end, so you may avoid sharp edges inside the conduit and stripping the insulation from the cables (assuming you place them in the direction you’ll draw wire). With PVC pipe, which is mostly not bell-end, you can’t avoid it.

Pulling NM Cable Through Conduit

Rather than encased cable, such as non-metallic (NM) or Romex cable, most wire inserted in conduit is insulated wire (typically THHN or THWN). It is not standard practice to run NM cable inside conduit, and it may not be permitted in all jurisdictions.

Running NM cable within the conduit is not prohibited by the National Electrical Code (NEC). However, it is subject to conduit fill limits, like insulated wire in conduit. Because NM cable takes up more room than individual wires, exceeding the fill limit using cable is accessible.

Due to the difficulty of pulling cable through conduit due to its size and sheathing, it is often limited to relatively short lines that do not require traditional wire pulling procedures. It’s also worth noting that NM cable isn’t suitable for outdoor or damp use. Even if the cable is put in conduit, it is never permitted to run NM cable outdoors or in other damp areas.

Lubricating The Wires

Pulling wires through straight conduit sections is challenging enough, but adding a few bends and turns adds friction, making stretching more difficult. That’s when a lubricant comes in handy. Wire-pulling compound is a non-conductive lubricant that comes in a gel or a slimy, soapy form that coats both the conduit and the wires, allowing them to slide through the line with relative ease.

Apply the compound directly to them before pulling the wires into the conduit. Because the interior of the conduit will become covered along its length as you draw, use more lubricant at the beginning of the pull and less at the end. For proper application, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Pulling Wire With A Mouse

A conduit mouse, also known as a conduit piston, is a little foam cylinder that is slightly smaller than the conduit’s inner diameter. It’s used in conjunction with a shop vacuum.

Tie Pull String To Wire

Tie a solid thread to the loop on the wire flowing through the mouse, known as a pull string.

Insert Mouse Into Conduit

Place the mouse in the conduit opposite the one you’ll be pulling from. The mouse is put in first, then the string.

Conduit Shop Vac Hose

Fit the nozzle of a shop vac over the other end of the conduit and turn it on until the mouse is sucked to the other end of the pipe, then turn it off.

Mouse In Conduit

Untangle the string from the wire loop and pull the mouse out of the conduit.

Secure String

As needed, secure the string to the wires and lubricate the cables.

Conduit Wires

Feed the wires into the conduit while your spouse uses the string to pull them out the other end. Is it safe to splice a 120V electrical wire in an underground PVC pipe where it is not authorized?

Even if it isn’t inside of a conduit, it is possible to produce an excellent spice that will be buried underground. It’s done regularly to restore cables that have been cut by excavators who aren’t paying attention to where they’re digging. It’s also done on every cable connection to a pump in a standard underground well, even if the connection is immersed in water in that case.

However, the task must be done with connectors specifically designed for the job, and it must be done correctly. It may or may not be code authorized in your particular area and for the application, you’re considering.

Is It Possible To Utilize A PVC Pipe As An Electrical Conduit?

 (If you’re specifically looking for PVC that’s “white” for plumbing…) Not if you want to follow the NFPA/NEC code. An electrical raceway in “grey” PVC pipe is designated as an authorized electrical raceway by the UL (Underwriters laboratory); “white” plumbing PVC is not.

This is because “grey” electrical is UV resistant, whereas “white” plumbing is not. While either could work in a pinch, in the United States, employing white pipe as an electrical raceway will result in an electrical inspection failure.

Conclusion

Let’s conclude Can You Run Electrical Wire Through PVC Pipe? Only low voltage is used. Where are you going to run this electrical wire? The majority are run behind the drywall inside walls or through the floor joists and up into the walls and ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions