What is Schedule 80 PVC Conduit？

Schedule 80 PVC conduit is a mainstay in the world of electrical installation.

Often working behind the scenes, this versatile and reliable solution plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and longevity of your wiring systems. From protecting delicate cables from physical damage to safeguarding against environmental hazards, Schedule 80 PVC conduit is an unsung hero of construction projects both big and small.

The sch 80 conduit materials are covers metal, plastic, fiber, fired clay, etc. Appearance forms include rigid pipes and corrugated pipes, and corrugated pipes are generally used for specific purposes.

What is Schedule 80 PVC Conduit?

Schedule 80 PVC conduit is a rigid PVC pipe designed to protect and route electrical wiring in a building or construction. ‘Schedule 80’ or ‘sch 80’ is the North American nominal pipe size (NPS), which has been replaced by ASTM and other standards over time.

6 Types of Schedule 40&80 PVC Conduit

Schedule 40 80 Pvc Metal Conduit

1. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

Schedule 80 Rigid Metal Conduit is a type of galvanized steel conduit with standardized wall thickness, used for protecting wiring in various applications.

1. Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC)

Schedule 80 Galvanized Rigid Conduit is a type of galvanized steel electrical conduit with standardized wall thickness, offering enhanced protection against corrosion.

1. Aluminum Conduit

Schedule 80 Aluminum Conduit is a type of aluminum electrical conduit with standardized wall thickness, offering a cost-effective and durable option for various applications.

1. Non-metallic

Schedule 40 80 Non Metallic Pvc Conduit Pipe Wholesales

1. PVC Conduit

Sch 80 PVC conduit is the most common wire conduit now. Compared with metal conduits, it has the advantages of being lightweight and lower cost, and its hardness is not weaker than metal conduits. That’s why schedule 40 & 80 conduits belong to this type.

PVC conduit has been developed for many years. So the manufacturing and process are stable, and the fittings family is almost complete. Smart designers use various innovative designs to make quick installation and removal accessories, which can greatly improve installation efficiency and save huge labor costs.

Specifically, it can be listed in the following categories,

1. Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit (RTRC)

Also known as a fiberglass conduit, its biggest advantage is lightweight. And the fiberglass conduit is also installed in placements that require high corrosion resistance of wire conduits, such as seaside buildings.

1. Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit (RNC)

It is still a rigid conduit but has no threads and is very smooth inside, which is suitable for protecting wires. The well-known Schedule 40 & 80 PVC Conduit belongs to this type;

8 Benefits of Schedule 40&80 PVC Conduit?

The benefits of Sch 80 PVC conduit are,

1. 1. Cost-Effectiveness

Schedule 80 Conduit is generally less expensive than metal conduits like steel or aluminum, making it a budget-friendly choice for many projects.

1. 2. Lightweight & Easy to Work With

PVC’s lightweight nature simplifies installation and handling, reducing labor costs and making it ideal for DIY projects. It’s also easy to cut and thread with standard tools.

1. 3. Excellent Corrosion Resistance:

PVC conduit is highly resistant to corrosion from moisture, chemicals, and even soil, ensuring long-lasting performance in demanding environments.

1. 4. Durability & Impact Strength

Despite its lightweight nature, Schedule 80 PVC offers good impact resistance, able to withstand bumps and accidental damage.

1. 5. Electrical Insulation

PVC itself acts as an insulator, providing a layer of protection against electrical shocks.

1. 6. Flame Retardant Properties

Most Schedule 80 conduits are flame retardant, reducing the risk of fire spread in case of an electrical hazard.

1. 7. Simple Installation

Sch 80 conduit can be easily joined using solvent cement, creating secure and watertight connections.

1. 8. Wide Range of Applications

Schedule 80 PVC is suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

1. 6 Benefits of Sch 40 Metal Conduit

Here are the key benefits of using Schedule 80 metal conduit (often steel or aluminum).

1. 1. Superior Strength & Durability

Sch 80 metal conduits offer significantly higher strength and durability compared to PVC, making them ideal for demanding applications where impact resistance is crucial.

1. 2. Long-Lasting Performance

Metal resists corrosion exceptionally well, especially when galvanized (coated with zinc), ensuring longevity even in harsh environments.

1. 3. Fire Resistance

Schedule 80 metal conduit offers excellent fire resistance, limiting the spread of flames and providing additional safety in case of electrical hazards.

1. 4. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding

Metal acts as a Faraday cage, effectively shielding sensitive electronic equipment from electromagnetic interference.

1. 5. Grounding Capability

Schedule 80 Metal conduits provide an inherent grounding path, enhancing electrical safety by facilitating the safe dissipation of fault currents.

1. 6. Flexibility in Installation

While heavier than PVC, sch 80 metal conduit comes in various sizes and configurations (e.g., threaded or grooved), allowing for adaptability in different installation scenarios.

So you can choose the right conduit now based on the above comparison.

Here are common Schedule 80 PVC conduit fittings and their uses:

Basic Fittings

Elbows (90° & 45°): Change the direction of conduit runs.

Couplings: Join two lengths of conduit together.

Conduit Bodies: Used to house connections within a conduit run, allowing for branching or cable terminations.

Reducers: Connect conduits of different diameters.

Specialized Fittings

Tee Fittings: Create a branch point in the conduit run.

Cross Fittings: Similar to a tee but with four branches, often used for complex wiring setups.

Wyes: Provide a junction point where one main conduit splits into two smaller ones.

Street Ell (also known as Lateral): Used to connect a horizontal run of conduit to a vertical run (common in outdoor installations).

Pull Boxes: Large boxes designed to facilitate pulling wires through the conduit system.

End Fittings:

Conduit Cap: Seals the end of a conduit run, protecting it from moisture and debris.

Hubs: Used for entering or exiting a building structure with conduit (e.g., passing through walls).

Remember: Always choose fittings that are compatible with Schedule 80 PVC conduit and use appropriate adhesives (solvent cement) for secure connections.

What is Sch 80 PVC pipe used for?

The purpose of sch 80 PVC pipes is water supply and drainage.

Some competitors do not clearly describe this point but only mention that it can be drained, which is only one-sided.

From UL’s physical performance requirements for Schedule 80 PVC pipe, we know that it can take a temperature of 140°F for better sealing by installing accessories or using glue at the connection, so there is no problem with the water supply at this temperature. The most common applications are agricultural irrigation, etc.

Another question is: what is the purpose of schedule 80 PVC conduits?

Many people don’t know the difference between pipe and conduit. In a word, the purpose of schedule 80 PVC pipe is plumbing and other pressurized systems, but the purpose of schedule 80 PVC conduit is single electrical systems.

However, the easiest way to distinguish whether it is for consumers or professionals in the electrical industry is to check the printing on the pipes. If it’s the pipe, it’s obviously for plumbing. Conversely, if printing is a conduit, it is only used for electrical systems, not for water supply and drainage.

So is it possible to install the electrical wires with sch 80 PVC pipe? The answer is NO.

From the design goals, schedule 80 PVC pipe mainly targets water supply and drainage, so the strength requirements are slightly lower, and the main consideration is the speed of water flow. So it does not have the characteristics of anti-sunlight exposure. It will be damaged quickly if used on the ground for a long time compared with sch 80 PVC conduit.

The schedule 80 PVC conduit is mainly operated to protect electrical cable wires because the wires are very fragile, so the strength of the conduit must be high enough. That’s why it has a thicker wall and stronger sunlight exposure performance. Not only can it be installed directly on the ground, but it can also be buried in the ground.

Schedule 80 PVC Conduit Application

Schedule 80 PVC conduit finds a wide range of applications due to its cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of installation:

1. Residential

Wiring electrical circuits: Commonly used for running wiring in walls, ceilings, and under floors for lighting fixtures, outlets, appliances, etc.

Outdoor installations: Suitable for underground runs, landscaping lighting, and exterior wiring due to its corrosion resistance.

Plumbing: Can be used for drain-waste-vent (DWV) systems where it meets local building codes. (for Schedule 80 PVC Pipe Only)

1. Commercial & Industrial:

Wiring Control Panels: Used in industrial settings to house and protect electrical connections within control panels.

Telecommunications: Employed for running cables in communication infrastructure.

Security Systems: Protects wiring for alarm systems, surveillance cameras, and access control systems.

1. Other Applications

Solar Installations: Conduit runs can channel wiring from solar panels to inverters and storage systems.

Agricultural Settings: Used for irrigation systems, electrical wiring in barns or greenhouses. (for Schedule 80 PVC Pipe Only)

Schedule 80 PVC’s versatility, combined with its cost-effectiveness and resistance to corrosion, makes it a popular choice across many industries and applications.