Primer is important but if you are not having to manhandle and distort the coupled portions in trying to "cut a big hog in the ass" you could get by without it.

 

Primer is for plumbers.

 

That is why they get paid more and work steadier. They do it right.

 

Always just glue at my company, never had any issues with pulls afterwards. Mostly basic runs, 3/4, 1", 2" and 4", they try to trench out runs with long sweeps instead of sharp bends. Glue, stick, repeat, the labour savings are pretty insane. Maybe primer is best practice but never seen a big issue with glue alone. Taking the time to primer seems like it would interrupt the flow of rapid piping, if you hustle with just glue and the trench already cut you can run 200' in like 3-4 minutes.

 

Why is it that only in the electrical industry we find it necessary to shortcut the manufacturer's specs?

 

Since it's not holding water in like plumbing, the PVC conduit system is a lot more forgiving I'd imagine.

That glue holds well and I can't imagine water getting through even without a primer.

 

I have been there and when someone predigs the trench they want to fill it up as fast as possible behind you and I've seen the pipe come apart..not always but a few times. Don't you or your bosses estimate the proper way to install to the specs. I can save a lot of time installing emt if I only thread the locknuts a couple of turns...it'll probably work just fine.

 

Never.

 

Why does RIVETER always comment on things he has never done? Primer is for plumbing and plumbing alone.

 

Where have you been? No wonder you are always beating your head against a wall.:thumbsup:

 

It's solvent cement. It has ingredients that break down the PVC and create the "weld". Primer is used on ABS.

 

PROCEDURE FOR SOLVENT WELDING JOINTS • Use solvent cement and primer prior to expiration date marked on container. • Above 32°F ambient temperature, joints may be as- sembled without the use of primer, provided adequate penetration and softening of the pipe/fitting surface can be achieved with solvent cement alone. Primer is used to penetrate and soften the surfaces so that they will fuse together under a wide variety of condi- tions. The penetration or softening can be checked by drag- ging the edge of a knife or sharp object over the coated sur- face. If a few thousandths of an inch of the primed surface can be scratched or scraped away, proper penetration has occurred. Varying weather conditions affect priming and cementing action and may require more time or repeated applications to either or both surfaces

So I guess it not a short cut to lose the primer.

 

The only time you ever need primer is for the PVC pipe runs to pool lights. Because they'll be filled with water obviously. That's it. Anything more than that is just a waste of time.

 

I disagree. Apply solvent cement on both ends, stick it together and twist.

 

Good god, I have never in my life seem so much arguing over purple primer.

In my company we always use primer before the cement.

 

POCO's here require it. They get upset when we ask if that section of the specs was written by a plumber. :laughing:

 

Never seen primer used on PVC except for plumbers pipe. Heard of an electrician that would, but he would scuff the ends with emery cloth first. He didn't work on trenching/digging projects much.

 

Primer on pvc is clown shoes

 

They're coming back.

 

I've installed many miles of PVC and supervised 100s of miles of installed PVC. Never once has anyone mentioned using primer for electrical conduits.
None of the guys and I have never seen it in a spec book 1600 section.

 

Since it's not holding water in like plumbing, the PVC conduit system is a lot more forgiving I'd imagine. That glue holds well and I can't imagine water getting through even without a primer.

Nah, water never gets in PVC conduit!!! Lol funny

 

Doubtful that it gets in through a proper solvent weld joint.

 

I thought the water and mud in the trench was all the primer we needed. :laughing:

 

There was one guy around here that posted he never even used glue for PVC above grade.
Come to think of it, he might be onto something?

 

There was one guy around here that posted he never even used glue for PVC above grade. Come to think of it, he might be onto something?

The straps should be enough. Never glue box adapters.

 

Primer optional....glue on both sides and a 360° spin a must.

 

I have glued more PVC than anyone on the planet and primer is an absolutely unimportant messy waste of time on conduit.

2 to 4 inch water mains, yeah. I'm going to use it to prep the slick surface of plumbing PVC.

Our local POCO requires it on their installations (they don't install conduit). Whoever writes their specs (as usual) has never spent a day in the field. They read on the internet (or on advertising from the primer manufacturer)that primer makes a better connection so they require it.

I've seen the pipe come apart..not always but a few times.

Operator error.

1) There are only a couple thousandths of an inch between a good and bad joint. Experience tells you what to do. If the joint grabs right now, it won't pull apart. If you can still twist it after a few seconds, you need to do something about it.

2) Make sure your couplings are not stressed upon backfill. If you have a coupling hanging over a big dip in a trench and you dump several hundred pounds of dirt on it from a loader, duh.

 

Always use primer here.....
Our estimating program figures primer and glue automatically, so it's in the bill of material for purchase.

Primer I s required in every spec I've ever read.
If I choose not use it, I could be forced to tear out the work and 're-do or if a failure occurs, I have no leg to stand.

 

Are you a plumber?

I could furnish a house with the spec books I have been through and I have never seen primer in the 1600 sections.

 

Dont prime. However on a side note why is everyone around here in such a damn hurry with everything? Slow and steady wins the race. I try not to short cut, cheat, or constantly be in a rush. Thats how mistakes happen. Which are far more costly. Slow the hell down. Back to primer.. i dont do it cuz i was taught we didn't need to because its not plumbing. The only electrical pvc conduit ive seen with primer on it was done by hacks cuz they didn't know better

 

I don't use primer on PVC (unless its pipe to pool lights) i feel it's a waste of time.

But,
primer will only make a better connection. It kind of is the "right" thing to do

So by no means would i call them hacks for using primer. Just because it isn't your method doesn't mean its wrong.

 

I love when the HO already ran the conduit for me and used hard 90s meant for plumbing .

 

I would not use that conduit.

 

When you can pull wire through a sanitary tee fitting, you have reached true master level status [emoji1]

That's easy, they even come not only directional, but have a built in assessable splice location.

 

If you think that is funny you should log on to the plumbers forum and see what they say about us.

 

If you think that is funny you should log on to the plumbers forum and see what they say about us.

I tried and was quickly called a pipe-fitter hacking troll. They gave me the ban boot.

 

Sorry, I should have warned you. If you want, try again and give them my user name as well as yours and they will give you an honorary TROLL pass and let you in.