Building Three Bend Saddle for Electrical Conduit
What do you mean by saddle?
When building electrical conduit, three bend saddles are helpful for getting over perpendicular obstacles. Although many electricians will bend a three-point saddle with a 45° center bend, it is preferable to bend that center at only 22° because the total amount of bend required decreases from 90° to only 45°. The region where the maximum bend stress occurs differs significantly between 3 point and 4 point bend tests. In tests with three bend points, it is located beneath the loading nose; in tests with four bend points, it is dispersed over a larger area between the loading points.
True or False: A three-bend saddle is a saddle consisting of a center bend and two side bends with the center bend having twice the angle of the side bends.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
True. A three-bend saddle is a saddle consisting of a center bend and two side bends with the center bend having twice the angle of the side bends.
When working with electrical conduit, it is important to understand the concept of a saddle. In this context, a saddle refers to a bending technique used to navigate obstacles such as corners or perpendicular structures. A three bend saddle specifically consists of a center bend and two side bends. The key characteristic of this type of saddle is that the center bend has twice the angle of the side bends.
For electricians, creating a three-bend saddle with precision is essential for efficiently routing electrical conduit around obstacles. By carefully bending the center at an angle of 22° instead of the more commonly used 45°, the total amount of bend required is reduced from 90° to 45°. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures the structural integrity of the conduit.
It is worth noting that the placement of maximum bend stress varies between tests involving three bend points and four bend points. In the case of three bend points, the stress is concentrated beneath the loading nose. On the other hand, tests with four bend points distribute the stress over a larger area between the loading points.
Understanding the principles of saddle bending is crucial for electricians to maintain the safety and efficiency of electrical conduit installations. By utilizing techniques such as the three bend saddle, professionals can navigate complex routing challenges with precision and skill.