Conduit
Bending Theory
The different types of conduit bends, as well as the factors involved in accurately
calculating bends are discussed in this section.
The pages for Offset Bends and Segment
Bends each contain bending calculators. The user can enter sample dimensions for
the type of bend, and the calculator will give the desired measurements. I will add
other calculators as I develop them.
These calculators are tested on Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and Netscape Navigator
4.05, and may not work with other browsers.
The Right Triangle and the Trigonometric Functions
There are several trigonometric functions that electricians need to know to be able to
understand and make the calculations necessary for bending conduit.
Figure 1 is a drawing of a typical right triangle used to give
a graphic display of the trigonometric functions used to calculate the angles and lengths
used to fabricate conduit bends.
Ø represents the angle used to bend a piece of conduit, or the
angle to be calculated if the lengths of two of the sides are known.
The Hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle of the
triangle.
The Opposite side is the side opposite the angle
Ø.
The Adjacent side is the side adjacent to the angle
Ø.
Figure 1 shows the 6 trigonometric functions commonly used by
electricians. Trigonometric functions are used to calculate the relationships of the
sides and angles of a right triangle.
 |
The
Sine, or
Sin
of the angle Ø is the length of the side
Opposite
the angle Ø divided by the length of the
Hypotenuse. The
Cosine, or
Cos of the angle
Ø
is the length of the side Adjacent to the angle
Ø
divided by the length of the Hypotenuse.
The Tangent, of
Tan of the angle
Ø
is the length of the side Opposite the angle
Ø
divided by the length of the side Adjacent to the angle
Ø.
The Cotangent, or
Cot of the angle
Ø
is the length of the side of the triangle
Adjacent to the angle
Ø
divided by the length of the side Opposite the angle Ø.
The Secant, or
Sec of the angle
Ø
is the length of the Hypotenuse of the triangle divided by the
length of the side Adjacent to the angle
Ø.
The Cosecant, or
Csc of the angle
Ø
is the length of the Hypotenuse of the triangle divided by the
length of the side Opposite the angle
Ø. |
