Conduit Bending Calculator
A must-have tool for electricians. Calculate the correct measurements for common conduit bends like offsets and saddles, saving time and material on the job site.
Bend Setup
Select the type of bend and enter the required dimensions (in inches).
The Electrician's Art: Bending Conduit
Running electrical conduit is like solving a 3D puzzle. Electricians must route rigid metal or plastic tubing neatly around obstacles, up walls, and across ceilings. This requires making precise bends. Miscalculated bends result in wasted conduit, a messy appearance, and lost time. This calculator provides the key measurements for the most common types of bends, turning a complex task into a simple, repeatable process.
Key Bends and Formulas
- Offset Bend: Used to shift the conduit to run parallel to its original path to get around a small obstruction. The key is the distance between the two opposing bends, calculated as: `Distance = Depth of Offset × Multiplier`. The 'Multiplier' is a constant based on the angle of bend (e.g., 2.0 for 30°).
- 3-Point Saddle Bend: Used to go over a round obstacle like another pipe. It consists of a center bend (at twice the angle of the side bends) and two side bends.
- 4-Point Saddle Bend: Used to go over a square or rectangular obstacle. It's essentially two offsets back-to-back.
- Shrinkage: When you bend conduit, the total length "shrinks" slightly. This calculator provides an estimate for this shrinkage, which must be added to your initial measurement.