VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA
| tower conduit
I haven't seen this talked about before, and we are in a position where the answer might save us some time. We have a tower where everything we mount has to be white (so as to match the water tower coloring), including the conduit. Normally I would just throw some typical old PVC or ducting up there, but I do not want to hand paint 100ft + of conduit. I thought maybe I could just use plumbing PVC (already white) and I wanted to make sure it was UV rated. So I got to reading and apparently no PVC is UV rated unless it is painted with a latex based paint, is this true or am I good just sticking some plumbing pvc on the side of this thing?
Thanks- |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| i dunno.
an easy way to paint the conduit is just like the climbers do the towers, a glove and just wipe it on. paint it before you put it up and then just use a rattle can to touch up the connectors.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14
| reply to VariableARK
No clue on the PVC question, but here is some paint and a mit. Have fun. 
»www.tessco.com/products/headerPr···hField=1 |
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viperm
Carpe Diem
Premium
join:2002-07-09
Winchester, CA
| reply to VariableARK
It seen any PVC that is UV rated that is inexpensive if it even exists.
Persnoally I would not do anythink but EMT conduit and paint it just for the plain fact it looks proffestional will hold up. The Electrical (grey) pvc and water white PVC do not hold up well in heat or cold thats why it is meant to be burried.
I think by code you have to use EMT on the outside up a building, ower or any structure?
You would need to look at your local codes. Besides using EMT your more shielded from any other EMI or other noise..
--
ComTrain Certified Tower Climber. American Tower Certified approved contractor. Wireless consultants. |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA
1 edit | What fittings would I use to seal the steel conduit? The screw down type certainly is not water tight. |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14 | For EMT ?
What size of EMT are you wanting to run? Do you want it stubbed into a conduit box or do you just want a weatherhead?
Do you buy from Graybar? |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA
| I could get it from Graybar, but I would prefer lowes/home depot as we are trying to get this work done atm.
I need to run 6 runs of the copper shielded flooded superior essex and 1 run of lmr400 and probably ground wire. So I was thinking 1.5" or 2". |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14
| reply to VariableARK
OK, well once we figure out what you want to do, I'll whip you up a parts list, but it will be graybar part numbers if that is ok, as that is who I have in my bag of tricks. If I can get manufacturer part numbers I will put those in as well so you can x-reference to something at Lowes or Home-D.
How are you strapping it down as you go up the tower?
Let me re-phrase that: How do you plan to mount the cable down or the conduit down to the tower as you go up the tower?
A lot of cellular companies will use various methods of mounting cable to a tower (regular communication tower or water tower, etc) and then just paint their cables. It pretty much is SOP on a lot of installs.
--
"No job is so important, and no service is so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform our work safely."
-- AT&T, Your World, Destroyed.
--Safety One Tower Rescue Certified
--LLigetfa:"Wimax is like teenage sex. Everyone talks about doing it." |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14
| reply to VariableARK
Reference this:
»Stand offs for a water tower question...
I think I outlined the details on how to get cable up a tank or tower. Maybe I should revise it and have it added to the FAQ. It seems like this question or similar is asked at least once a year.
I think you are asking for a similar situation, but you maybe want the cable INSIDE the conduit. I have a parts list already developed for water tanks and towers, so it is no big deal for me to get it to you, I just need to know the way you really want to get it done.
--
"No job is so important, and no service is so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform our work safely."
-- AT&T, Your World, Destroyed.
--Safety One Tower Rescue Certified
--LLigetfa:"Wimax is like teenage sex. Everyone talks about doing it." |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA | I was going to put it inside the conduit, for the mounting I am using unistrut and bolts, simply enough, hard to explain without pictures though. |
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viperm
Carpe Diem
Premium
join:2002-07-09
Winchester, CA
| reply to VariableARK
They make weatherproof compression couplers for EMT outdoors they have like a little oring in side to keep the water out 
Cant rememebr what the are called exactly but Graybar or lowes would be able to get you a part number. Thats how we do it at least (well our electrical guy does it for us )
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ComTrain Certified Tower Climber. American Tower Certified approved contractor. Wireless consultants. |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14
| reply to VariableARK
Sounds good. What kind of entrance are you wanting? I would do either a nema 3r at the top, or a weatherhead. At the bottom, if you are running a short distance to a cabinet I would put on some non metallic and go with that. If you are dropping down into a metal or other type of cabinet, i still would put in some nm to allow some flex for thermal expansion. Same goes for the top if you decide to run into a cabinet of some sort.
--
"No job is so important, and no service is so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform our work safely."
-- AT&T, Your World, Destroyed.
--Safety One Tower Rescue Certified
--LLigetfa:"Wimax is like teenage sex. Everyone talks about doing it." |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to VariableARK
Plumbing pipe is a no-go. 1) It's a code violation, 2) Plumbing PVC is normally NOT UV resistant.
Electrical PVC must be sunlight resistant. If you must use PVC, use schedule 80.
EMT with compression couplings would be better.
IMC or RMC with threaded couplings would be the best. I would suggest aluminum due to the weight. Both are very heavy in steel.
I spray mine on the ground the day before and just paint the joints and scratches as I go.
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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keefe007
Premium
join:2004-02-24
Germantown, WI
2 edits | reply to VariableARK
You might be able to find Sealtight or "liquid tight flexible metal conduit" in white instead of the traditional gray. I know for sure that you can find white PVC flexible conduit/interduct. |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs: | Forgot all about that. Yes, you can get LFMC in white (as well as many other colors).
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA
| reply to AMD Phreak
I just checked the diameter, 1.5" is tight, so I am going to go with 2". May as well do emt. So the compression couplers are waterproof?- I did not know that. It is running to a small nema4 enclosure on the top and then a larger nema4 enclosure (actual pop) on the bottom, it is a straight vertical run. I assume just make sure I get compression fittings for the box entries as well and the thing will be watertight? |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14 | There are special hubs you use to transition from LTNM to box. I will get you part numbers when I get in the office. |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to VariableARK
Just make sure your couplings and connectors are listed as "Rain Tight".
Pluggable conduit sealing bodies are also available (and expensive) to keep water out of your equipment.
If you are using EMT on the verticals, you might want to consider LFMC on the tray. I'd transition from EMT to LFMC with straight pull bodies.
If you are running in to 2" knockouts, use a Crouse Hinds ST-6 or T&B H200TB. Either will work (2" threaded hub).
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA | Why transition at all? Is there a reason not to run EMT all the way from box to box? What do you mean by tray? I take it the T&B H200TB is a box termination for the lfmc not for emt? |
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AMD Phreak
Premium
join:2003-12-14
| reply to VariableARK
I see Graybar lists Steel city in the catalog but there are other mfgs, part description is metallic straight liquid tight connector. Nunya listed what is called a Myers Watertight Hub.
He also referenced I think, what is called an LB, for the lower portion just as you sweep off the tower and transition into the flex. You could do it either way I suppose; go right from EMT to LTNM or use the LB and transition that way.
What ever you do make sure you use clamps and #6 ground wire to bond across each joint on the EMT on the way up to ensure 100% electrical continuity for grounding purposes. Also at the top where you enter the box bond the conduit to the box there.
You need to bond the bottom of the conduit just before you sweep off the tower, this will be the only bond you have on the conduit at the base.
--
"No job is so important, and no service is so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform our work safely."
-- AT&T, Your World, Destroyed.
--Safety One Tower Rescue Certified
--LLigetfa:"Wimax is like teenage sex. Everyone talks about doing it." |
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