What Is A Conduit Body?

A conduit body is a connecting component for two pieces of conduits. When electricians run wires along a surface, they use conduits to conceal the wires and prevent damage. A conduit is a pipe that forms a channel or raceway for electrical wires. The raceway protects the wire from moisture, humidity, heat, corrosion and other physical damage. Conduit bodies allow electricians to change the direction of the raceway travels.

The conduit body acts as a joint, allowing the raceway to bend and project in a different direction. An electrician feeds wire through a hole on one end and out of another. Each type features a removable cover that allows the electrician to more easily access and feed electrical wires. A gasket between the cover and the body prevents moisture from entering.

HANYSEN has 5 types of conduit bodies. Primary differences between types include the material and shape.

Metal conduit bodies comprise a metallic material and include connection points for metal conduits. These bodies' holes are either threaded or unthreaded hubs. Threaded hubs allow the electrician to screw the conduit into the body. Unthreaded bodies feature a set screw that tightens to hold the conduit to the body.

There are also polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit bodies for PVC conduits. PVC conduit bodies require glue to bind the conduit to the body. 

Regardless of material, each conduit body falls into a category depending on two factors — its shape and the location of its removable plate. 

Conduit body type descriptions include one or two letters. The first letter describes its shape. The letter L indicates an L shape, while T and C each describe corresponding shapes. 

The second letter describes the direction the wire exits relative to its entry point. There are five common conduit body types:

• LR

• LL

• LB

• T

• C