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I'm running 3/4" Schedule 80 PVC conduit above ground for some backyard electrical. There is a section where I need to go up a retaining wall to a receptacle box, and then back down to continue the run.

It's complicated to do straight runs here and I really think the best way for me to do this is to use flexible liquid-tight conduit at the receptacle box, but I can't figure out how to connect the straight sch 80 PVC pipe with the flexible liquidtight conduit. All the connectors I'm finding online show a compression bushing for the liquidtight and external threads with locknut for outlet box (which I can use for the box). But I'm looking to do conduit<->conduit.

Addendum: The conduit body + liquidtight coupler looks like it would solve my issue? (at minute 3:00) https://youtu.be/QcxWw_M6uVE?t=180

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    If I follow what you want to do you will probably need a threaded coupling to screw the connector in.
    – Ed Beal
    Oct 4, 2020 at 16:54
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    Why restrict yourself to straight runs? PVC can be heat bent (or you can buy sweeps pre-made.) Liquidtight is extremely expensive and possibly the worst conduit I've ever met for pulling through.
    – Ecnerwal
    Oct 4, 2020 at 17:01
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    @EdBeal your comment improved my web search and I found this pvcfittingsonline.com/…
    – dabi
    Oct 4, 2020 at 19:21
  • @dabi -- the link you found is to the plumbing flavor; the electrical version of that is a thing, but may or may not be compatible with the male threads on LFNC connectors Oct 4, 2020 at 22:31
  • The male thread on the lfnc is a standard pipe thread but if a inspector sees white not grey he will probably flag it.
    – Ed Beal
    Oct 5, 2020 at 13:40

1 Answer 1

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Don't use flexible conduit for your application.

PVC is very easy to bend. I use an electric heat gun like the kind you use for stripping paint. The great thing about bending it is those bends remain water-tight and save you money on couplers.

If you decide to do a conduit-coupler-conduit connection you don't need a threaded connection with gaskets. You need a PVC coupling. You can connect them together by PVC-welding (it's like gluing), the same way PVC plumbing pipes are connected. Notice the small amount of goo that dropped out of the connection when I welded this PVC conduit to the fitting for the box it goes into. Check YouTube for videos on how to do this; it's really easy. Don't get the stuff on your hands (that's why I'm wearing a latex glove in the photo) and don't inhale it.

tools I used to bend PVC conduit

conduit PVC-welded to outlet box

picture showing pvc conduits coupled together

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    Note that LFNC is NOT rated for use with PVC couplers! Oct 4, 2020 at 19:04

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