conduit caps with flaps/closures ?

[gjbuilder]

I have some long run (80 foot) data conduits (1 inch) that (for now) only have a single ethernet cable in them.

This means that there's a LOT of length, and space, for mice to go die in and fill up with bugs and god knows what else.

But I plan to run more wires at some point in the future, so I can't just drill a hole in a PVC cap and run it through that.

Does there exist:

PVC caps that have rubber seals, or flanges, so that I can push more wires through in the future, but don't leave open space at the top of the conduit when it's just sitting there ? I'm thinking of a cap with a rubber top that has an "X" cut into it so you can push things through it ....

Does that exist or do I have to jury rig it ?

 

[Cyberbear]

You may be able to install 1" couplings, or 1" EMT connectors depending on which type conduit you have and simply cap the ends until needed. If you have the gray plastic electrical PVC, use appropriate fittings that accomplish the same result. Not difficult to do, just decide which is best for you.

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Perhaps stuff some duct seal in the ends? http://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Bender-1-lb-Pug-Duct-Seal/4595233

 

[Movover]

Duct seal ??


Darn it ... Fixin'Stuff Beat me to it!!

 

[redmondjp]

If you don't have duct seal, a piece of foam rubber or similar material stuffed into the end will keep the bugs out - add steel wool or piece of a brillo pad if you have a problem with mice.

 

[rockwithjason]

a rubber x flap wont keep out squat. if you want bug and air intrusion protection then use duct seal as others have suggested. if you want rodent protection then use steel wool as others have suggested. at our remote stations we have lots of problems with rat intrusion. I stuff the pipe full of steel wool and then cover with duct seal. problem solved.

 

[rlitman]

Do it the right way. Put a pull box at the end, and use proper cable clamps in the knockouts to seal it up.

 

[gjbuilder]

a rubber x flap wont keep out squat. if you want bug and air intrusion protection then use duct seal as others have suggested. if you want rodent protection then use steel wool as others have suggested. at our remote stations we have lots of problems with rat intrusion. I stuff the pipe full of steel wool and then cover with duct seal. problem solved.

I appreciate this and that sounds like a good method - but these are new conduits that have 1-2 cables in them and we will slowly add cables as time goes by ...

Sounds like kind of a mess to clean out duct seal and/or wadded up steel wool.

I'm willing to spend some money if there is an elegant solution - basically I'm looking for a conduit cap that will close tightly around the existing cables, but allow me to re-open to add more.

Does that exist ?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Do it the right way. Put a pull box at the end, and use proper cable clamps in the knockouts to seal it up.

I'd do this. Put a junction box at either end. You can run individual cables into the boxes through knockouts and cable clamps, and simply add more as required in the future.

 

[redmondjp]

Yes, but I'm not sure which sizes of pipe they are made for. Basically rubber inserts (some whole, some split in half) with smaller hole(s) in them:

http://www.emersonindustrial.com/en...tting/conduit-sealing-bush/Pages/default.aspx

 

[cdeer001]

I can't think of the proper name for them but what about looking into the companies that make those plastic caps that fit on the end of bulk tubing / hose / pipe to keep dirt out while in storage. The ones everyone pops out and throws aways when they install the pipe.

http://www.pioneerplast.com/thread-protection-cap.html

http://www.pipeendcaps.com/Pipe-Protection_4.htm

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...gclid=CNjn7vHV9c0CFZNbhgoduhcHkg&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[dave*99]

I can't think of the proper name for them but what about looking into the companies that make those plastic caps that fit on the end of bulk tubing / hose / pipe to keep dirt out while in storage. The ones everyone pops out and throws aways when they install the pipe.

http://www.pioneerplast.com/thread-protection-cap.html

http://www.pipeendcaps.com/Pipe-Protection_4.htm

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...gclid=CNjn7vHV9c0CFZNbhgoduhcHkg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Caplugs

 

[LXCam]

The duct seal isn't as messy as it sounds. When it's fresh ya you can make a little mess. But take a chunk out and let it dry out in open air for a week and it's not near as sticky. You can also search vertical strain reliefs which come in all kinds of cable configurations, but by no means are they cheap and for smaller sizes might not even be available. I used to use these often when installing feeder conductors on multistory buildings, but never bought any under a 3" size.

 

[BreeStephany]

I have some long run (80 foot) data conduits (1 inch) that (for now) only have a single ethernet cable in them.

This means that there's a LOT of length, and space, for mice to go die in and fill up with bugs and god knows what else.

But I plan to run more wires at some point in the future, so I can't just drill a hole in a PVC cap and run it through that.

Does there exist:

PVC caps that have rubber seals, or flanges, so that I can push more wires through in the future, but don't leave open space at the top of the conduit when it's just sitting there ? I'm thinking of a cap with a rubber top that has an "X" cut into it so you can push things through it ....

Does that exist or do I have to jury rig it ?

Ductseal with a bit of steel wool for the mice and a Raychem cable boot as a cap will definitely do the job. If you are having problems finding the boots, you can always use heatshrink with a ziptie on each end, but the cableboots work much better and are a bit more robust.

If you really want to go overkill on ensuring nothing gets through, get an Appleton conduit seal (explosion proof conduit seal) for each end of your conduit. They are designed to keep out flammable vapors, moisture, etc. in environments which require explosion proof environments (think gas stations, auto pits, petroleum processing, etc.)

 

[Norcal]

Ductseal with a bit of steel wool for the mice and a Raychem cable boot as a cap will definitely do the job. If you are having problems finding the boots, you can always use heatshrink with a ziptie on each end, but the cableboots work much better and are a bit more robust.

If you really want to go overkill on ensuring nothing gets through, get an Appleton conduit seal (explosion proof conduit seal) for each end of your conduit. They are designed to keep out flammable vapors, moisture, etc. in environments which require explosion proof environments (think gas stations, auto pits, petroleum processing, etc.)

And are you suggesting the OP pour the seals too? Getting the Chico out will a pain every time a cable is added, duct seal with steel wool as a backer is a cheap and simple solution and will make it easy to add or remove cables, the simple way is usually the best way.

 

[manwithtools]

Look up cord grip bodies in non-metallic versions. Look to someone like Sealcon. Also called strain relief fittings. Available in many conduit and cable combinations. Internal grommets can be changed as your needs change.

To use these, you would glue a female terminator to the end of the conduit and then thread one of these into the terminator.

BTW, I think you are over analyzing this. Leave the ends of the conduit open and not much will happen.

 

[shawhite]

This is what we use at work for fibers in the underground environment.

https://www.ptsupply.com//shop/cabl...onnectivity-plug-uv-fo-duct-jm-sim-10s057sb-2

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Do it the right way. Put a pull box at the end, and use proper cable clamps in the knockouts to seal it up.

^^^This^^^

Tommy

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Perhaps stuff some duct seal in the ends? http://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Bender-1-lb-Pug-Duct-Seal/4595233

 

[BreeStephany]

Chico is gross to deal with, but will definitely seal it up and ensure that it stays sealed. It all depends on if the OP intends to add cables in the future. I do agree with the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method of wiring... it just depends on how tight / permanent of a seal the OP wants...

And are you suggesting the OP pour the seals too? Getting the Chico out will a pain every time a cable is added, duct seal with steel wool as a backer is a cheap and simple solution and will make it easy to add or remove cables, the simple way is usually the best way.

 

[larry4406]

Push a zip lock bag fully into conduit with open end outside the conduit about 1-2". Put nozzle of spray foam into the bag, close the bag ends around the nozzle. Squirt foam while holding bag to nozzle. Creates a tight plug you can pull later.

 

[raddksn]

I like the box on each end!