Imperial Conduit Problem? Imperial Dies?

[GarryJ]

Evening.

I was wondering if anyone knew or has sourced Imperial metal conduit Dies?

I have a job coming up in an old mansion house where there is existing imperial conduit drops down to a consumer unit location above a ceiling which is accessible through a large hatch right at the DB. The customer however wants to raise the ceiling and I am going to need to fit new board etc which is not a problem. However there are 5 existing imperial conduits come down through the ceiling above which I am going to need to very carefully cut them at a higher location and try to run a new thread on them further up where I can bring them into a large galv joint box and get appropriate lockrings etc etc for them to remain a good earthing system with the single core pvc cables within them.
Unfortunately I would have liked to lift the floor above and take the pipes back to the next box and re jig and rewire it all from there but this is not possible due to massive newly tiled floor bathroom above.

I am aware of the imperial to metric adaptors however I need to cut the pipes further up and then re thread. Anyone any other ideas? I could obviously put earth clamps round each of the 5 pipes at a nice clean location but this would look a bit scabby I think

Cheers in advance for any thoughts

 

[Dave OCD]

Just cut them as neatly as you can and 'bond' them Garry.

 

[davesparks]

How are you going to get the cables out of the pipe to cut the pipe?

 

[Dave OCD]

That's a good question too.

 

[Toneyz]

There is a manufacturer of conduit that I think does up by Alan key it apparently has full B.S approval just a thought

 

[westward10]

There is a manufacturer of conduit that I think does up by Alan key it apparently has full B.S approval just a thought

Electric Centre had this in their catalogue at one time but now it has disappeared maybe it didn't catch on.

 

[Toneyz]

Conlok conduit systems that's the name google it. Used them knock on conduit adaptors as posted above IMO I would not rely on it for earth continuity. Although conduit has to be electrically sound is it being used as the C.P.C.

 

[westward10]

I have tried threading in situ conduit without success. The force needed to thread it can shear off the upper termination and even trying to hold it with pipe grips just spins it.

 

[LankyWill]

Please video yourself attempting to thread and cut the conduit in situ, if you can manage it you will become a legend throughout history.

 

[davesparks]

There is a manufacturer of conduit that I think does up by Alan key it apparently has full B.S approval just a thought

They don't manufacture it in imperial sizes though. And it's utter rubbish, it was used locally in a new entertainment venue. We did the first show in the venue and those conlok fittings were already failing in places where they'd had a little tap.

 

[Wilko]

You have 5 metal conduits coming through the ceiling and you want cut them and re thread then in situ, well I wish you all the luck in the world Garry, without a picture it's difficult to advise but personally I think your idea is a non starter. What circuits are in these conduits?

Also my thought, I'm imagining all kinds of collateral damage cutting, removing, threading and installing while working up a ladder 4m ... hopefully I just need my happy pills.
Maybe leave in situ and adapt at the CU? Then you can adapt/bond/clamp or whatever in the privacy of your own home.

 

[KennyKen]

The only time I've threaded conduit in situe was with an small arm electric threader and a full tub of lanolin. Make sure the cuts straight. Was a pain the the --- when the cuts slightly off.

 

[Allan Hogg]

Hi, I see the conduits are in an old mansion. In this case the conduits could be gas threaded and strangely enough 3/8 gas threaded conduit is the same size as 16mm so your metric dies may do the job. I did have sets of gas dies and imperial dies when I was an apprentice in the 50s. to connect to old conduits.

 

[Pete999]

How are you going to get the cables out of the pipe to cut the pipe?

The OP I believe did say when asked if he could pull the wires back, he mentioned that the floor above was tiled, so pulling the cables back is a no no, this leads me to what davesparks has asked. someone else asked if the OP would film his attempts to do what he has suggested, hope it's posted on the forum.