Electrical conduit
Fittings
Fittings
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Despite the similarity to pipes used in [plumbing](/wiki/Plumbing "Plumbing"), purpose\-designed electrical [fittings](/wiki/wikt:Fitting "Fitting") are used to connect conduit.

**Box connectors** join conduit to a [junction box](/wiki/Junction_box "Junction box") or other electrical box. A typical box connector is inserted into a knockout in a junction box, with the threaded end then being secured with a ring (called a **lock nut**) from within the box, as a [bolt](/wiki/Screw "Screw") would be secured by a nut. The other end of the fitting usually has a [screw](/wiki/Screw "Screw") or compression ring which is tightened down onto the inserted conduit. Fittings for non\-threaded conduits are either secured with set screws or with a compression nut that encircles the conduit. Fittings for general purpose use with metal conduits may be made of die\-cast zinc, but where stronger fittings are needed, they are made of copper\-free aluminum or cast iron.

**Couplings** connect two pieces of conduit together.

Sometimes the fittings are considered sufficiently conductive to *bond* (electrically unite) the metal conduit to a metal junction box (thus sharing the box's ground connection); other times, **grounding bushings** are used which have [bonding jumpers](/wiki/Bonding_jumper "Bonding jumper") from the bushing to a grounding screw on the box.Cauldwell 2002:109\.

Unlike water piping, if the conduit is to be watertight, the idea is to keep water *out*, not in. In this case, [gaskets](/wiki/Gasket "Gasket") are used with special fittings, such as the [weatherhead](/wiki/Weatherhead "Weatherhead") leading from the overhead [electrical](/wiki/Electric "Electric") [mains](/wiki/Electricity_transmission "Electricity transmission") to the [electric meter](/wiki/Electric_meter "Electric meter").

Flexible metal conduit usually uses fittings with a clamp on the outside of the box, just like bare cables would.

### Conduit bodies

A **conduit body** can be used to provide pulling access in a run of conduit, to allow more bends to be made in a particular section of conduit, to conserve space where a full size bend radius would be impractical or impossible, or to split a conduit path into multiple directions. Conductors may *not* be spliced inside a conduit body, unless it is specifically listed for such use.

Conduit bodies differ from [junction boxes](/wiki/Junction_box "Junction box") in that they are not required to be individually supported, which can make them very useful in certain practical applications. Conduit bodies are commonly referred to as **condulets**, a term trademarked by Cooper Crouse\-Hinds company, a division of [Cooper Industries](/wiki/Cooper_Industries "Cooper Industries").

Conduit bodies come in various types, moisture ratings, and materials, including galvanized steel, aluminum, and PVC. Depending on the material, they use different mechanical methods for securing conduit. Among the types are:

* L\-shaped bodies ("Ells") include the LB, LL, and LR, where the inlet is in line with the access cover and the outlet is on the back, left and right, respectively. In addition to providing access to wires for pulling, "L" fittings allow a 90 degree turn in conduit where there is insufficient space for a full\-radius 90 degree sweep (curved conduit section).
* T\-shaped bodies ("Tees") feature an inlet in line with the access cover and outlets to both the cover's left and right.
* C\-shaped bodies ("Cees") have identical openings above and below the access cover, and are used to pull conductors in a straight runs as they make no turn between inlet and outlet.
* "Service Ell" bodies (SLBs), shorter ells with inlets flush with the access cover, are frequently used where a circuit passes through an exterior wall from outside to inside.

What is the purpose of couplings in conduit connections?