Electrical contractors need a way to determine when thermal expansion in PVC conduit exceeds 1/4 inch to comply with NEC 352.44, but there is no practical method to measure or predict this in the field.

The NEC code requires an expansion fitting when thermal expansion exceeds 1/4 inch, but electricians have no easy way to calculate or measure thermal expansion on-site, leading to guesswork or potential non-compliance.

Severity

2Mild

Willingness to Pay

implied

Added

May 13, 2026

Implied Software Gaps

A tool to calculate thermal expansion for PVC conduit in the field

App Concept

ConduitCalc Pro

ConduitCalc Pro is a mobile app that instantly calculates thermal expansion for PVC conduit based on material, length, and temperature range. It provides a simple pass/fail against NEC 352.44 and recommends the proper expansion fitting type and placement, eliminating guesswork and ensuring code compliance.

Key Features

Input conduit material, length, and expected temperature differential
Automatically calculates expansion and compares to 1/4 inch threshold
Recommends expansion fitting type and spacing
Offline-capable with built-in NEC code reference

Target Users: Electricians and electrical contractors in commercial and industrial construction

Revenue Model: $14.99 one-time purchase for iOS/Android, with optional $4.99 annual update for code changes

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