PVC Electrical Conduit 101: Bending Test & Collapse Test

Q: What is the purpose of a bending test?

A bending test determines the ability of a conduit to withstand flexing or deformation during installation without cracking or failing. It assesses the material’s ductility, structural resilience, and suitability for routing around corners or obstacles.

Q: What are the rules for bending conduit?

Rules vary by conduit type and local codes but generally include:Maintain minimum bend radius based on conduit size and type.Do not exceed the number of bends per run (typically no more than 360° between pull points per NEC).Avoid kinking or flattening the conduit.Use tested products and follow manufacturer recommendations for field bending.

Q: What is the purpose of conduit bend?

Conduit bends allow for smooth changes in direction without stressing cables. Properly bent conduit ensures:Easier wire pullingReduced risk of insulation damageClean routing in confined or structured spaces

Q: How to bend a rigid PVC conduit?

To bend a rigid PVC conduit, there are two commonly used methods:Heat Bending: Use a heat gun to evenly heat conduit where you want the bend, once the conduit becomes soft and flexible, bend it gently, and hold it in place until it cools and hardens.Use a Bending Tool: Insert a bending spring inside the conduit, bend it into required angle, this can help prevent kinking, This is often done at room temperature.

Q: Why is the bend test important?

The bend test ensures conduits can be bent safely without breaking, and confirms conduit performance in cold, hot, or tight installations. It also helps prevent installation errors, damaged conductors, and failed inspections.

Q: What is conduit collapse test?

It’s a test that assesses whether a conduit can maintain its internal diameter and shape after being exposed to elevated temperatures and mechanical stress. It’s critical for ensuring the conduit remains functional and safe in heat-prone environments.

Q: What is conduit collapse test procedure?

The general procedure involves:Bending the conduit to a prescribed angle.Securing it to a rigid frame using straps.Conditioning the setup at high temperature (e.g., 60–90°C) for 24 hours.Checking clearance with a standard gauge, which must pass through under its own weight. This simulates real conditions where heat could cause conduit deformation.

Q: What is the purpose of a conduit collapse test?

The collapse test can help to verify that the conduit will not deform or restrict wire space due to heat, and its structural integrity is maintained after thermal exposure. Make sure the product complies with application-specific performance standards.

Juni 30, 2025

In electrical infrastructures, PVC electrical conduit plays a vital role in protecting wiring systems from mechanical damage, moisture, chemicals, and environmental factors. But beyond basic material properties, the mechanical performance of a conduit, particularly its ability to maintain integrity under physical stress is crucial to safety and durability in the field.

Bending and collapse tests are two important tests among the many mechanical tests. These two tests reflect the conduit’s behavior under two of the most critical real-world conditions:

Der bending test assesses how well the conduit resists cracking or deformation when flexed, a common requirement during installation, especially in cold weather or tight spaces.
Der collapse test evaluates a conduit’s resistance to deformation or inward buckling when exposed to high temperatures and pressure, such as when encased in concrete or buried under heavy soil loads.

These tests are not only key performance indicators but also serve as predictive benchmarks for installation safety and long-term service reliability. Poor performance in either can lead to premature conduit failure, compromised wire protection, or costly rework in the field.

This article explores how bending and collapse tests are defined and applied across different types of PVC conduits, including:

Hart-PVC-Rohr
Corrugated Flexible Conduit

It also compares how major international standards implement or omit these tests, such as UL, CSA, IEC 61386, and AS/NZS.

Whether you’re an electrical engineer, specifier, or contractor, understanding these two test types provides essential insight into conduit performance and code compliance.

Bending Test of PVC Conduit

In electrical installations, PVC conduit systems must not only protect wiring but also maintain flexibility and mechanical performance across various conditions. Among the essential evaluations is the bending test, which helps determine whether a conduit can perform as intended during handling, installation, and throughout its service life.

What Is a Bending Test?

A bending test is a mechanical test used to assess the ductility, flexibility, and deformation resistance of PVC conduit under bending stress. The main purpose is to ensure that the conduit can withstand handling during installation, particularly when navigating around obstacles or fitting into complex layouts without cracking or collapsing.

Bending Test Purpose

Installation practicality: Determines whether the conduit can be bent without tools (for flexible types) or whether it holds up during mechanical bending (for rigid types).

Material integrity: Ensures no fractures, splits, or deformations occur that could compromise insulation or wire pulling.

Code compliance: Aligns the product with regional or international standards to ensure it meets safety and reliability benchmarks.

Bending Test for Rigid PVC Conduits

Rigid PVC conduits, including Schedule 40/80 and other rigid PVC electrical conduit specified, may evaluated for bendability per different standards, and there are may have no bending requirements for some rigid PVC conduits.

IEC 61386-21

The IEC 61386-21 standard establishes detailed test methods for evaluating the bendability and mechanical behavior of non-metallic rigid conduits, such as PVC conduit, under simulated installation conditions. Specifically, Section 10.4.102 outlines the bending test procedure for conduit sizes 16, 20, and 25, which are among the most commonly installed in light and medium duty applications.

Prüfgerät:

The test uses a specialized bending jig as illustrated in Figure 103 of IEC 61386-21.

Test Conditions:

The sample is pre-conditioned for at least 2 hours at a low declared temperature (based on the conduit’s classification, typically between –5°C to –25°C) in a temperature-controlled chamber.

Within 12 ±2 seconds of removal from the chamber, the sample is mounted and bent to a 90° angle (±5°) using the apparatus.

The bending must occur smoothly, and the conduit should naturally hold the bent shape upon release.

Pass/Fail Criteria:

After the bend:

No visible cracks must appear on the conduit surface under normal or corrected vision.
The bending aid must be removable easily and without damaging the conduit.
A gauge (as defined in IEC Figure 102) must pass through the entire length of the bent sample under its own weight, confirming that the internal diameter has not collapsed or distorted.

AS/NZS 2053.2

In Australia and New Zealand, the bending capability of rigid PVC conduits is addressed under AS/NZS 2053.2, which outlines performance requirements for conduits subject to mechanical stresses during installation. This test is especially relevant for conduits less than 32 mm in diameter that are classified for very light, light, or medium mechanical stress.

Note: Conduits that are 32 mm or larger, or rated as heavy duty or very heavy duty, are excluded from this bending test. These are typically not expected to be field-bent and should instead use prefabricated elbows or mechanical bends.

Apparatus:

A bending device conforming to Figure 102 as shown in the AS/NZS 2053.2 (similar to IEC Figure 103), featuring:

A central former with defined radius.

Two bending rollers to apply symmetrical force.

A clamp to hold the conduit lightly in position.

A bending aid:

Typically a square-section coiled spring, free from burrs.

Must have an outer diameter 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm smaller than the conduit’s minimum internal diameter.

Alternatively, a manufacturer-approved aid may be used.

Testmethode

Insert the bending aid into the conduit sample.

Position the conduit into the bending device, securing it gently with the clamp.

Bend the conduit by rotating the rollers around the central former to create a 180° sweep, so that the conduit holds a 90° bend upon release.

Carefully remove the bending aid without damaging the conduit.

Annahmekriterien:

The conduit must exhibit no cracks when visually inspected under normal or corrected vision without magnification.
The bending aid should be removable without force or damage.
While internal clearance or gauge testing is not specifically mentioned in this standard (unlike IEC), the absence of cracking or deformation is critical.

UL 651 / CSA C22.2 No.211.2

Notably, UL and CSA standards for rigid PVC conduits do not require a bending test. This is because:

UL 651 conduits (such as Schedule 40/80) are not designed to be bent in the field.

Installers are expected to use prefabricated elbows or heat-bending tools in controlled conditions.

Flexibility testing is deemed unnecessary due to the rigidity and intended handling methods of the product.

Bending Test for Flexible PVC Conduits

Unlike rigid systems, flexible PVC conduits, such as Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) and corrugated conduit, are expected to be bent manually during installation. Therefore, bending tests are critical to determine usability, durability, and resistance to fracture in both hot and cold conditions.

CSA C22.2 No. 227.1 / UL 1653

The CSA C22.2 No.227.1 / UL 1653 standard applies to ENT used in the U.S. and Canada.

Condition:

The ENT should be conditioned at least 24 hours in room temperature (23±2℃) before testing.

Erfordernis:

ENT must maintain a circular internal shape with no more than 15% distortion.

Testverfahren:

Each ENT size is cut into a 750 mm (30 in.) length.

The sample is bent 90° around a mandrel with a radius corresponding to its trade size, as specified in Table 2 of the standard.

After bending:

A rigid sphere, per the size listed in Table 3 of the standard, must pass freely through the entire inner bore of the bent ENT.

The test confirms that the internal diameter has not collapsed or been distorted beyond 15% of its nominal value.

Cold Bend

ENT is often installed in environments where cold weather is a factor. To simulate such conditions, the cold bend test assesses the conduit’s low-temperature flexibility and impact resistance.

Test Conditions:

Six samples of each trade size are conditioned for 4 hours at –20 ±1°C (–4 ±1.8°F).

While still at that temperature, each sample is bent 360° around the appropriate mandrel (same radius as in Table 2).

Bestehenskriterien:

No visible cracks, chips, or ruptures are permitted in any of the samples during or after bending.

AS/NZS 2053.5

The AS/NZS 2053.5 standard outlines performance requirements for corrugated and flexible PVC conduits used in electrical installations across Australia and New Zealand, including bending test.

Apparatus Requirements:

A bending apparatus capable of holding the conduit vertically and rotating it for side-to-side bending.
A gauge to verify that the internal diameter remains unobstructed.
A conditioning chamber that can maintain:

Standard test temperature of 20 ±1°C, and the lowest installation temperature specified by the conduit manufacturer (typically down to –5°C or lower), with a tolerance of ±2°C.

Bending Procedure:

At Room Temperature (20°C):

Conditioning: Samples and apparatus are stabilized at 20 ±1°C for 2 hours.

Manual Bending Sequence (performed 4 times):

Bend the conduit left ~90°, hold for 1 minute.

Return to vertical, hold for 1 minute.

Bend right ~90°, hold for 1 minute.

Return to vertical, hold for 1 minute.

On the final repetition, stop at the third step (bent right) and maintain for 5 minutes.

Angle Repositioning: Rotate the bending apparatus so that straight conduit sections sit at 45° to vertical.

Gauge Test: Allow the specified gauge to pass through the conduit under its own weight without external force or velocity.

At Lowest Installation Temperature:

Repeat the exact same bending and gauge procedure as above, but after conditioning at the manufacturer’s minimum installation temperature (e.g., –5°C to –20°C) for 2 hours.

Akzeptanzkriterien

A sample passes if:

No visible cracks are observed under normal or corrected vision without magnification.

The gauge passes freely through the entire conduit under its own weight, confirming the internal geometry is preserved after bending.

IEC 61386-23

IEC 61386-23 does not provide bending requirements for flexible conduit, but provide flexing test methods, which serves a similar purpose to bending tests, evaluating conduit durability under deformation.

Summary

Here are 8 commons electrical code bending test comparing chart as below,

Standard	Leitungstyp	Test Type	Temp Conditions	Key Method	Pass Criteria
IEC 61386-21	Rigid PVC (≤25 mm)	Static Bending	Declared low temp (e.g. -5°C)	Bend 90° using jig (Fig. 103); remove bending aid	No cracks; bending aid removable; gauge passes through conduit
AS/NZS 2053.2	Rigid PVC (<32 mm)	Manual Bending (x4)	20°C and lowest install temp	Hand-bend left/right; hold; gauge test at 45°	No cracks; gauge passes freely
UL 651 / CSA 211.2	Rigid PVC (Sch 40/80)	Not Required	N/A	N/A	N/A
UL 1653 / CSA 227.1	ENT (Flexible)	Static Bending + Cold	Room temp and -20°C	Bend 90° or 360° around mandrel; sphere clearance check	No more than 15% internal distortion; no cracks; sphere passes after cold bend
AS/NZS 2053.5	Corrugated/Flexible PVC	Manual Bending (x4)	20°C and lowest install temp	Bend left/right; hold; final 5-min hold; gauge test	No cracks; gauge passes freely
IEC 61386-23	Flexible PVC	Not applicable	N/A	N/A	N/A

Collapse Test of PVC Conduit

What Is a Collapse Test?

A collapse test, also referred to as a heat deformation or thermal collapse test that evaluates the ability of a PVC electrical conduit to maintain its circular cross-sectional shape when exposed to elevated temperatures under mechanical pressure. This is particularly important for rigid conduits installed in high-temperature environments, such as attics, rooftops, or near industrial heat sources.

Purpose and Importance

Thermische Stabilität: PVC materials tend to soften under heat. Collapse testing ensures the conduit retains its mechanical integrity under such conditions.

Mechanical Safety: A deformed conduit could restrict wire pulling, reduce current-carrying capacity due to insulation contact, or violate minimum bend radius constraints.

Application Suitability: Identifies which conduits are suitable for in-wall, ceiling, or outdoor installations where elevated temperatures are expected.

Collapse Test for Rigid PVC Conduits

IEC 61386-1 / -21

Under IEC 61386-1, the collapse test for rigid PVC conduits is known as the “heat deformation test under pressure”. It simulates the combination of thermal exposure and mechanical load to verify the conduit’s ability to resist ovalization or flattening.

Test Procedure

Bending and Mounting: Prior to testing, each conduit sample is mechanically bent following the procedure outlined in the standard, and the bent sample is mounted onto a rigid support structure using four evenly spaced straps.
Thermal Conditioning: The entire setup (support and conduit) is placed in a heating cabinet at the declared maximum application temperature (typically between 60°C to 90°C) for 24 hours ± 15 minutes, with a tolerance of ±2°C.
Gauge Clearance Test: After conditioning, the support is rotated so the conduit’s straight portions are at approximately 45° to the vertical axis, with one end pointing upward and the other downward.

A standardized gauge must pass through the conduit under its own weight, without any additional force or speed.

Kriterien für Bestehen/Nichtbestehen

A conduit passes the IEC collapse test if:

The gauge passes completely through the conduit without obstruction, confirming that the internal diameter has not collapsed or become distorted due to thermal softening.

There are no cracks or mechanical failures visible after the test.

AS/NZS 2053.1 / .2

The collapse test in AS/NZS 2053 evaluates whether a rigid PVC conduit can maintain its internal cross-sectional geometry when subjected to thermal conditions after being bent, replicating the real-life scenario where a field-bent conduit is installed in warm environments, such as under roofs or in concrete slabs.

This test is mandatory for:

Conduits with diameters less than 32 mm
Rated as very light, light, or medium mechanical stress

Heavy-duty and very heavy-duty conduits, or those with diameters ≥32 mm, are exempt from this test because they are not intended to be field-bent.

Apparatus

A bending device matching the conduit’s classification (see AS/NZS 2053.2 Figure 102).

A rigid support with four straps, to hold the bent conduit in place during thermal exposure.

A conditioning chamber capable of maintaining the conduit’s maximum service temperature ±2°C (usually 60–90°C).

A gauge (from AS/NZS 2053.2 Figure 103) to verify the internal diameter.

Test Procedure

The test procedure is similar to collapse test that outlined in the IEC 61386-21.

Bending Stage (at Room Temperature)
Gradually bend the test piece 90° using the designated bending apparatus. This step mimics practical bending during installation.
Mounting
Secure the bent conduit onto the rigid support using four clamps. Ensure the bend is well-supported and symmetrical.
Thermal Conditioning
Place the entire assembly into a temperature chamber set to the conduit’s maximum declared installation temperature. Maintain this temperature for 24 hours ±15 minutes.
Post-Heating Verification
After heating, orient the support so that the straight sections of the conduit are approximately 45° from vertical. Then, insert the appropriate gauge through the bent section of the conduit under its own weight and without any added speed.

Akzeptanzkriterien

The sample passes if the gauge passes freely through the conduit after heat exposure, confirming that no collapse or deformation has occurred.

The test ensures that the internal diameter remains unobstructed and that wire pulling remains feasible after installation in elevated temperature environments.