Conduit Bodies & Condulets

How to Choose Conduit Bodies and Condulets for Electrical Raceway Runs

Conduit bodies and condulets provide access to conductors along a raceway, especially where the route changes direction or an intermediate pulling point is needed. Selecting the right fitting requires more than matching the conduit diameter. The body configuration determines where the raceway connects and how the cover can be accessed. Hub design determines which conduit system it accepts, while conductor size and installation conditions affect whether the fitting can be used. Before ordering, check the conduit route, raceway type, trade size, and required access clearance.

Quick Conduit Body Selection Guide

• Raceway turning through a wall: Consider an LB body with an accessible cover.
• 90-degree turn with side-access constraints: Compare LL and LR configurations.
• Straight run needing pull access: Start with a Type C conduit body.
• Three-way raceway intersection: Check a Type T body and its conductor limitations.
• Large feeder conductors: Verify an appropriately listed oversized body or use a suitably sized pull box.

LB vs. LL vs. LR vs. C vs. T Conduit Bodies: Choosing the Correct Configuration

Conduit body letters identify different hub and access-opening arrangements. Two bodies may have the same trade size but serve different raceway layouts.

• Type LB: A 90-degree body with an access opening on the back, commonly used where a surface-mounted raceway turns through a wall.
• Type LL: A 90-degree configuration with its access opening positioned on the left side relative to the specified body orientation.
• Type LR: A corresponding right-side access configuration for a different layout.
• Type C: A straight-through body that provides access without changing the raceway direction.
• Type T: A three-hub body that accommodates a three-way raceway route.

Consider a 1-inch conduit running vertically up an equipment-room wall before turning horizontally. An LB may provide a convenient accessible opening if its hub arrangement matches the planned route.

Where a beam or adjacent equipment restricts cover access, an LL or LR configuration may be more appropriate. The exact arrangement must be confirmed using the manufacturer's dimensional drawing.

Selection rule: Mark the conduit entry, exit, and required cover position on the installation drawing before choosing the body letter. Do not select LL or LR based only on whether the conduit appears to turn left or right from one viewing angle.

EMT Set-Screw vs. Threaded and Combination Conduit Bodies

Matching the body configuration is only half the selection process. The hubs must also be suitable for the installed raceway.

EMT set-screw conduit bodies use mechanical screws to secure compatible electrical metallic tubing. For example, the Morris 14152 Type LB conduit body is designed for 1-inch EMT and uses set-screw connections.

Threaded conduit bodies serve compatible threaded raceway systems, commonly rigid metal conduit (RMC) and intermediate metal conduit (IMC). Combination bodies may be listed for more than one raceway connection method, but their permitted uses vary by model.

A 1-inch threaded rigid conduit body should not automatically be substituted for a 1-inch EMT set-screw body. Their nominal trade sizes may match while their connection methods differ.

For projects requiring standard tubing connections, review EMT fittings and connectors. For additional raceway connection hardware and adapters, compare the appropriate electrical fittings.

Selection rule: Identify the wiring method first, then confirm the exact hub type and trade size. A fitting's physical appearance does not establish compatibility with a different conduit system.

Conduit Body Sizing: Trade Size, Bend Limits, and Pulling Space

The trade size printed on a conduit body identifies its nominal raceway connection size, not the complete internal dimensions available for pulling conductors.

Electrical raceway systems also have limits on the total degree of bends permitted between pull points. For example, NEC 358.26 generally limits EMT to the equivalent of four quarter bends, or 360 degrees, between pull points. Comparable requirements appear in the NEC articles for rigid metal conduit, IMC, and rigid PVC conduit.

Consider a raceway containing three 90-degree bends and two additional 45-degree bends. The total is 360 degrees. Adding another bend without an appropriate pull point would exceed the usual permitted bend limit.

A conduit body can provide an intermediate pull point when properly selected and accessible. However, the 360-degree limit is a maximum rather than a recommended design target. Long runs with heavily loaded conduits may require additional pulling access to reduce installation difficulty.

The number and size of conductors must also comply with the applicable raceway-fill requirements. Increasing the body size does not automatically permit additional conductors inside the connected conduit.

Selection rule: Check conductor fill, bend totals, and pulling access before finalizing the raceway layout. Avoid treating a conduit body as a universal solution for every difficult pull.

Mogul Conduit Bodies and NEC Requirements for Large Conductors

Large conductors require additional bending and pulling space. NEC 314.28 establishes sizing rules for applicable boxes and conduit bodies containing conductors 4 AWG or larger.

For straight pulls, the general requirement is a minimum dimension equal to eight times the trade size of the largest raceway. Angle and U-pulls follow different dimensional rules, generally beginning with a six-times-raceway calculation and additional allowances where applicable.

For example, a conventional straight pull involving 4 AWG-or-larger conductors in a 2-inch raceway generally requires a 16-inch dimension in the direction of the pull, unless an applicable provision permits another arrangement.

Some listed conduit bodies can use smaller dimensions under NEC 314.28(A)(3) when they have been evaluated and permanently marked for the permitted conductor quantity and size.

Mogul conduit bodies provide larger internal space than many compact designs. Lumera lists the Orbit LBM300 3-inch Mogul LB conduit body for rigid conduit applications. Its suitability for a particular conductor arrangement must still be verified from the manufacturer's specifications and markings.

If the required conductors cannot be accommodated by an approved body, use an appropriately sized enclosure from junction boxes and pull boxes.

Selection rule: For 4 AWG and larger conductors, verify the applicable NEC dimensions or the specific product's listed conductor limitations before ordering.

Can You Make Electrical Splices Inside a Conduit Body?

Conduit bodies can contain conductor splices and taps, but only when the specific fitting meets the applicable requirements. The presence of a removable cover does not automatically make it a suitable splice enclosure.

Under NEC 314.16(C)(2), conduit bodies containing splices, taps, or devices must be durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with their internal volume. The installation must also satisfy the applicable conductor-fill calculation requirements.

For example, a small LB body with an unmarked internal volume cannot be treated as a junction box simply because several wire connectors physically fit inside it.

Where splices are permitted, confirm the required conductor free length, connection method, and remaining usable volume. Use electrical wire connectors identified for the conductor material, size, and quantity.

If the body lacks the necessary volume marking or cannot accommodate the required conductors, select a properly sized junction box instead.

Conduit Body Covers and Gaskets: Included vs. Sold Separately

Conduit bodies require suitable covers, but the purchasing arrangement varies by manufacturer and product series. Some fittings are sold as individual bodies, while others include the cover and gasket.

For example, Lumera lists the Dottie LB200CG 2-inch threaded LB conduit body as a model supplied with a cover and gasket.

Other products are sold without those components or require replacement covers purchased separately. Do not assume either arrangement applies to every item in the collection.

Before ordering, verify:

• Included components: Whether the body includes a cover, gasket, and fastening hardware.
• Body series: Compatibility with the replacement cover profile.
• Cover dimensions: The correct opening shape and attachment method.
• Gasket requirements: Whether the installation calls for a specific sealing component.
• Environmental rating: The protection provided by the complete installed assembly.

Covers from different manufacturers or product series are not automatically interchangeable, even when the conduit trade size matches. A replacement cover should be selected using the complete body catalog number.

Selection rule: Check the included components on the exact SKU and order any missing cover or gasket before installation.

Outdoor Conduit Bodies: Aluminum, Iron, and Wet-Location Protection

Conduit body material affects durability and environmental suitability, but material alone does not establish the fitting's location rating.

Die-cast aluminum bodies are common in general electrical raceway installations. Malleable iron models provide another option where their mechanical properties and protective finish suit the project. Specialized nonmetallic bodies may be used with compatible nonmetallic raceways when approved for the installation.

Consider an exposed conduit run on an exterior building wall. The body, hubs, cover, and gasket must form an assembly suitable for the site's moisture exposure. Adding a gasket does not automatically make an otherwise unsuitable fitting acceptable in a wet location.

Some conduit body series are listed as raintight when installed with the specified cover and gasket. Others have different environmental limitations.

When the conduit terminates at an outdoor enclosure, select compatible weatherproof electrical boxes and connection hardware.

Corrosive environments and classified hazardous locations require additional evaluation. Ordinary weather-resistant conduit bodies should not be treated as explosionproof or suitable for every industrial atmosphere.

Selection rule: Verify the environmental approval of the complete fitting assembly, including the hub connections and cover.

Conduit Body Installation: Accessibility, Bonding, and Raceway Support

A conduit body provides useful access only when its cover can be reached and removed after installation. NEC 314.29 generally requires the contained wiring to remain accessible without removing building construction.

For example, an LB installed behind permanent wall finishes may become inaccessible even though its cover was reachable during rough-in. Confirm the final access location before securing the raceway.

Metal conduit systems also require appropriate electrical continuity and bonding. A conduit body does not eliminate the need to verify fitting connections and the equipment grounding path.

Where conductor protection or supplemental bonding components are required, review suitable conduit and grounding bushings.

Raceways must also be supported according to their specific wiring-method requirements. Select appropriate conduit straps and supports based on trade size, mounting conditions, and applicable spacing rules.

Electrical installation work should be performed by qualified personnel following the manufacturer's instructions and the locally adopted electrical code.

Ordering Conduit Bodies and Condulets for Electrical Projects

For larger installations, organize conduit bodies by raceway run instead of purchasing them solely by trade size. A project with twenty conduit access points may require several body configurations and connection methods.

Prepare a material schedule containing:

• LB, LL, LR, C, T, or other required body style
• Conduit type and trade size
• Set-screw, threaded, or approved combination hub
• Material and environmental requirements
• Conductor quantity, size, and pulling arrangement
• Cover, gasket, and mounting hardware requirements
• Manufacturer part number and quantity

Eligible business buyers can review Lumera Electric's trade account options for project purchasing.

For larger quantities or projects using several conduit body styles, request a project quote with the raceway schedule, required part numbers, and installation specifications.

Conduit Bodies & Condulets FAQs

What is the difference between LB, LL, and LR conduit bodies?

LB, LL, and LR conduit bodies all provide a 90-degree raceway path, but their cover and hub arrangements differ. LB has a back-access configuration, while LL and LR provide different side-access orientations. The correct choice depends on the direction of the conduit run and where the removable cover must remain accessible. Confirm the manufacturer's diagram before ordering.

What is the difference between Type C and Type T conduit bodies?

A Type C conduit body provides straight-through conductor access using two opposing hubs. A Type T body adds a third hub for a branching raceway path. The T configuration does not automatically authorize conductor splices inside the fitting. If splices are required, the body must have the necessary manufacturer volume marking and satisfy the applicable NEC fill requirements.

Can conduit bodies be used as junction boxes?

Yes, but only when the specific conduit body meets the applicable requirements. NEC 314.16(C)(2) permits splices, taps, and devices in conduit bodies that are durably marked with their volume and satisfy the required fill calculation. An unmarked body cannot be used for ordinary splices simply because it has enough apparent space.

Do conduit bodies come with covers and gaskets?

Some conduit bodies include a cover and gasket, while others are supplied as individual bodies or require separately purchased accessories. The arrangement depends on the manufacturer's series and exact part number. Check the product listing and installation instructions before ordering. When purchasing a replacement cover, match the body series, opening profile, and specified gasket.

Can a conduit body be installed outdoors?

Yes, when the exact conduit body and complete installation are approved for the outdoor conditions. A compatible cover and gasket may be required to achieve the stated environmental rating. Not every aluminum or set-screw model is suitable for wet locations. Verify the product listing, conduit connection method, and sealing requirements before installation.

Can a standard LB conduit body handle 4 AWG or larger conductors?

Only when its dimensions or applicable listing and markings permit the conductor arrangement. NEC 314.28 establishes additional sizing requirements for applicable installations using 4 AWG and larger conductors. Some listed bodies qualify under the smaller-dimension provisions, while others do not. For difficult feeder pulls, an appropriately sized mogul body or pull box may be required.