The 90º Bend

The 'Stub-up', or 90º  bend is usually the first bend that an electrician learns.   A 90º bend simply consists of one 90º bend at a desired distance from one end of a length of conduit.

Using Hand Benders

A 'deduction' is required to lay out and fabricate a 90º bend in a piece of conduit.   Most hand benders used for small EMT and rigid conduit have a standard deduction and a bending mark or arrow printed on the bender.  Many benders refer to this as the 'B' Mark.  Most hand benders also use a standard deduction of bending small conduit.   Check the table below for common standard deductions.

Standard Deductions

Lay out bend

The steps for  making a 90º bend 8" from the end of a piece of 1/2" conduit are:

1. Place a mark on the conduit at the desired distance from the end of the conduit, minus the deduction for the bender.  To make an 8" bend mark the conduit at 3" from the end.  Refer to Figure 1.
2. Place the conduit in the bender with this mark aligned with the 'B' mark on the bender.   This mark is usually an arrow about 1-1/2" from the front of the bender.
3. Place the bender on the floor, being careful not to let the conduit slip in the bender.
4. Place your foot on the back of the bender and make the bend.  Make sure that you keep good pressure on the bender with you foot when making the bend.   The bend will not be even, and the accuracy may be off if the proper foot pressure is not applied.
5. Use a rule and a level or square to make sure that the bend is accurate in length, and that the angle of the bend is a true 90 degrees.

Bend conduit