Snake to floor pocket connection?

[ncourtright]

Over the last year our church has been slowly updating our AV system. Within the next three weeks are going to install the new 32x8 snake for our new stage. We have dropped in our 6 floor pockets and will be building a network of PVC pipe to carry the snake below the stage.


Can someone explain what I should do where the PVC meets the floor pockets? My first thought was drill a hold in the floor pocket and directly connect the PVC. However the lower section of the floor box is only 3 sided. It seems designed to accept wires through the open side and not directly.


If this is the case, should my PVC simply stop near the floor pocket with any excess wire hanging below the stage? I plan to have 4 – 6 extra feet of wire at the floor pocket in order to do my solder work on top of the stage.


The PVC pipe is going to protect my snake, but I feel a little sloppy leaving the ends open with the slack just hanging there. Any suggestions?


Thanks,
Nick

[tedanderson]

You could always put a PVC reducer adapter at the end.. using it in reverse so that you can convert your 2-inch pipe into a 4 or 6-inch pipe at the last 12 inches leading to the pocket. That will give you a neat and clean place to store the excess.

The reducer is easier to find for plumbing grade piping but it will still fit electrical conduit being that both forms of PVC piping follows the "Schedule 40" standard.

[Msteve121]

You may want to consider just securing the wires with zip ties to the bottom of the stage instead or going through the hassle of using pvc.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by Msteve121

You may want to consider just securing the wires with zip ties to the bottom of the stage instead or going through the hassle of using pvc.

Unless you ever have to replace a line, add lines, etc. It is often a choice of less effort and expense now versus greater flexibility and long term options.

[Gracetech]

What type of floor pocket do you have?

crt

[pdc]

Tell us about your stage. Is it being used as an air return? You might be better off with plenum wire alone. Typically you run ENT conduit (not PVC) to the boxes, use compression fittings in the knock-outs, etc.

[ncourtright]

The snake is in and the pockets were soldered yesterday! It's working out great. We created a PVC network to run the snake to each pocket. It took more time stripping back the outside case and separating the wires into the 6 runs than it did to pull the wire through the PVC. We ended up just looping the slack (about 6’) at the end of the PVC pipe. The wires are zipped tied to the lower side of the pocket so the wire weight is not hanging from the solder point. I’ll have to get some pictures. Thanks for everyone’s input.
Nick