The Power & Communications Division (PCD) of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) is offering a $200 (~€166) bounty for exhumed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduit as part of an ongoing research project to demonstrate its longevity.
PPI
PPI puts bounty on exhumed HDPE conduit
The reward will go to the samples that are selected for testing. PPI is the major trade association representing all segments of the US plastic pipe industry.
Patrick Vibien, Director of Engineering for the PCD, said: “Perhaps your conduit is being removed due to replacement, re-routing, or any other reason. Specifically, we are seeking samples of HDPE conduit that have been in service for 15 years or longer. This conduit could have been buried in the ground carrying power cables of any voltage, telecommunications lines or fibre-optics. The conduit print line will indicate the year of manufacture. Any diameter or SDR is useful and a length of eight to 20 feet is sufficient. HDPE conduit is flexible, available in long lengths and in various colours – not to be confused with rigid PVC conduit, which is typically grey.”
The purpose of the PPI HDPE Conduit Sample Collection Program is to analyse the used conduit for research about long-term performance and durability.
“It is well-known,” Vibien added, “that HDPE conduit is an excellent material for housing and protecting electrical power and telecommunications cables, with benefits including long lengths without joints, high strength and installation toughness. This research effort will increase the body of knowledge about the product’s long-term durability for power and communication applications.”