The Greenlee 555: The Electrical Contractor All-Star
The Greenlee 555 Triple Nickel Bender not only shares a name with the renowned "Triple Nickels" of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion activated at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, on November 25, 1944, but it also embodies their spirit of strength and ingenuity. Just like the brave soldiers of the battalion, this bender stands tall as a symbol of excellence and reliability in its own field.
These pipe benders emerged as the preferred choice for professionals in the electrical industry who prioritize accurate and efficient conduit bending and time-saving shoe options. The Greenlee 555 benders embody the renowned Triple Nickel legacy and have established themselves as a go-to solution for demanding electrical tasks.
In this article, we dive into three notable models:
The Greenlee 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit
The Greenlee 555RSC Electric Classic Bender with 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group
The Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes
The 555 Series conduit benders offer unmatched portability, durability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of ownership.
Watch this short video on the Triple Nickel bending conduit at a 90-degree angle to better understand what machine we discuss in this article.
With this dynamic combination, you have the ultimate bending solution to quickly and precisely conquer any conduit bending task. Let's take a look at the remarkable features that make the Greenlee Triple Nickel Bender a force to be reckoned with in conduit bending.
55 Years of Excellence: History of the Triple Nickel
The Greenlee Classic 555 Triple Nickel benders have a rich history that spans decades. Bending conduit is an essential task for electricians, and Greenlee has been at the forefront of providing reliable bending tools and equipment. While many electricians' tools have evolved significantly, bending tools have remained relatively unchanged.
Introduced in 1968, the Greenlee 555 bender, also known as the "Triple Nickel," quickly became the go-to bender in the electrical industry. It utilizes accessory shoe groups to bend various types of conduit, including EMT, IMC, rigid, and PVC-coated rigid materials. Over the years, the Greenlee 555 bender has undergone improvements while maintaining its core design and functionality.
Portability and ease of use have been the focus of advancements in larger benders. Greenlee has worked to make its bending equipment more portable and user-friendly, allowing for more effortless movement and operation on job sites.
Electric benders have become increasingly popular for high-volume bending requirements.
An emerging trend is the growing use of PVC-coated rigid pipes, particularly in corrosive environments. Greenlee offers specialized shoes that can be used on the 555C machine to make bends on PVC-coated pipe while ensuring the integrity of the PVC coating.
What is the Greenlee 555 Bender?
A Greenlee 555 Bender machine is a powerful and versatile machine designed with precision and efficiency for bending electrical conduits like metal pipes or tubes. It is commonly used in the electrical, construction, and manufacturing industries for various applications that require the installation of conduit systems.
Learn how the Triple Nickel bends 90-degree conduit through this video.
A 555 bender is an electrically-powered device that reshapes pipes or tubes to specific angles or curves. It is essential for creating bends in conduits to navigate around obstacles, make turns, or fit into designated spaces within a building or infrastructure. Bending conduit allows for the safe and organized routing of electrical wires, cables, or plumbing systems.
The Greenlee 555 Bender machine offers advanced features and capabilities that make it highly suitable for demanding pipe-bending tasks. It can bend various conduits, including Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC), and rigid conduits made of steel or aluminum.
Benders like the Greenlee 555 are used in specific jobs and industries for several reasons:
- Precision and Accuracy: Benders are designed to achieve precise angles and curves in conduits, ensuring proper alignment and fit for electrical or plumbing systems. This accuracy is crucial to maintaining the installed components' integrity and functionality.
- Efficiency and Time Savings: Using a bender significantly reduces the time and effort required to create bends manually. It allows electricians and contractors to complete projects more efficiently, minimizing labor costs and increasing overall productivity.
- Consistency and Uniformity: Benders provide consistent and uniform bends throughout the conduit, ensuring a professional and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This consistency is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the conduit and ensuring proper wire or cable routing.
- Compliance with Standards and Codes: Specific standards and codes govern conduit bending in the electrical and construction industries. A bender helps professionals adhere to these regulations, ensuring safe and compliant installations.
- Versatility and Adaptability: Benders like the Greenlee 555 offer a range of bending capabilities, accommodating various conduit sizes and materials. This versatility allows for flexibility in handling different projects and requirements.
- Safety and Risk Reduction: By utilizing a bender, the risk of manual errors, such as kinks, crimps, or inconsistent bends, is minimized. This enhances safety by reducing the likelihood of conduit damage, potential short circuits, or compromised performance.
Greenlee 555 Bender machines and other benders are indispensable electrical, construction, and manufacturing tools. They provide the precision, efficiency, and adaptability necessary for bending conduits to meet specific project requirements, ensuring safe and reliable electrical or plumbing installations.
Greenlee 555 Model Differences: Exploring the Variations
The key differences between the Greenlee Classic 555 Triple Nickel Benders are:
Greenlee 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit without Bending Accessories:
- The core power unit of the Classic 555 Triple Nickel Bender system
- It does not include bending accessories
- Offers flexibility for customization with various accessory shoe groups
- Cost-effective option if you already own accessories
Greenlee 555RSC Electric Classic Bender with 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group:
- Specializes in bending rigid conduit
- Equipped with the 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group
- Middle-of-the-road pricing option with accessories
Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes:
- Explicitly designed for bending Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
- Equipped with 1/2"-2" EMT Shoe Group
- Most expensive option of the three machines with accessories
These Greenlee Classic 555 Triple Nickel Benders offer professionals in the electrical industry versatile solutions for bending conduit. The Greenlee 555C serves as the core power unit, the Greenlee 555RSC excels in bending rigid conduits, and the Greenlee 555ESC specializes in EMT bending.
Greenlee 555 Models Overview
The Greenlee 555 Models are a series of high-quality electric benders designed for various pipe bending applications. Including the 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit, 555RSC Electric Classic Bender with 28008 Rigid Shoe Group, and 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes offer exceptional performance and adaptability. They deliver reliable results consistently and quickly, from conduit pipes to rigid conduits and EMT pipes.
The Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes is a powerful machine for bending EMT pipes. Equipped with single EMT shoes, it ensures seamless bending for pipes of various sizes. Experience reliable performance with the Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender.
Greenlee 555ESC Includes
- (1) 555 Classic Bender
- (1) 1/2"-2" EMT Shoe Group
- (1) Roller Support
- (1) Case
Greenlee 555ESC Specifications
Centerline Bend Radius | 1/2” - 4-5/16”, 3/4” - 5-1/2”, 1” - 7”, 1-1/4” - 8-13/16”, 1-1/2” - 8-3/8”, 2” – 9-1/4” |
Conduit Type | EMT Conduit |
Conduit Size | 1/2" to 2" EMT |
Standard | C/US UL Listed |
Marking | (-) 10 deg to 190 deg |
Application | Conduit Bending |
Greenlee 555RSC Includes
- (1) 555C Series Bender
- (1) 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group
- Greenlee 555RSC Features
- The 555C Classic Series features simple relay controls for easy field repairs and a compact handle design to prevent interference with conduit when bending.
- Bend 1/2" – 2" Rigid, IMC, EMT & PVC Coated Rigid
- Shoe groups available for a different combination
- The optional PVC-coated rigid conduit shoe group can be used on all 555 series benders.
- Less lifting reduces operator fatigue.
Greenlee 555RSC Specifications
Capacity | 1/2" - 2" Rigid (1/2" - 2" IMC with IMC Roller Support) |
Power | 120 VAC; 20 amp GFCI-protected |
Weight | 320 lbs |
Height | 44" (1118 mm) |
Width | 28.5" (724 mm) |
Depth | 28-1/2" (724 mm) |
Operating Temperature | -5°F to 120°F (-20°C to 49°C) |
Relative Humidity | 0-98% |
Centerline Bend Radius | 1/2” - 4-1/4”, 3/4” - 5-7/16”, 1” - 6-15/16”, 1-1/4” - 8-3/4”, 1-1/2” - 8-1/4”, 2” – 9” |
Conduit Type | Rigid Conduit |
Jae Lee, the director of product management at Greenlee based in Rockford, Illinois, provided valuable insights regarding the distinction between bending IMC and EMT conduit and clarified that “The only differences are the required force to bend and the dimension. These factors can significantly impact the quality of the bend. It is highly recommended to use electrical or hydraulic benders to bend larger-size EMT or IMC conduit, which will eliminate the required force issue.”
The Greenlee 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit is a multifaceted machine designed for conduit pipe bending. With advanced features and reliable performance, it offers convenience and precision without additional accessories. Trusted by professionals in the electrical and construction industries, the Greenlee 555C ensures efficient and accurate bending operations.
Greenlee 555C Features:
The 555C Classic Series features simple relay controls for easy field repairs and a compact handle design to prevent interference with conduit when bending.
- Bender only without shoes.
- The optional PVC-coated rigid conduit shoe group can be used on all 555 series benders.
Greenlee 555C Specifications
Power Source | 120 VAC; 20 amp GFCI-protected receptacle |
Conduit Size | 1/2" to 2" Rigid, EMT, IMC, PVC coated Rigid |
Accessory | 37279 40 MIL PVC Coated Rigid1/2'' - 2'' Shoe Group (Sold Separately) To Use With the 555 Series Benders |
Weight | 260 lbs. (118 kg) |
Height | 44" (1118 mm) |
Width | 28.5" (724 mm) |
Depth | 28-1/2" (724 mm) |
Operating Temperature | -5°F to 120°F (-20°C to 49°C) |
Relative Humidity | 0-98% |
Standard | C/US UL Listed |
Operator's Manual |
Pro-Tip
If you want less scrap, improved fabrication productivity, and less rework, check out Greenlee’s BendWorks Software. This software provides Error checking, Material optimization, Waste Reduction, Bill of Material Accuracy, Quality Control and Assurance, and Automated Calculations for Bending Operators, and it is Fully Integrated with Autodesk Revit and Revit MEP.
Enhance Your Greenlee 555: Must-Have Accessories for Optimal Performance
The first accessory in our lineup is the Greenlee 23803 EMT 1/2" to 2" Shoe Group for 555C and Roller Support. This comprehensive package includes
- Shoe Group
- Roller Support
- Convenient carrying case
By utilizing a single shoe, the Greenlee 23803 offers the following benefits:
- Bending 1/2" to 2" conduit becomes a breeze
- The streamlined setup process with no loose pieces
- Time-saving solution
- Reduced need for lifting, minimizing operator fatigue
Greenlee 23803 is compatible with the following electric conduit benders:
- Greenlee 555CX
- Greenlee 555DX
- Greenlee 555C
It also has an impressive bend radius of 1/2" to 9" to accommodate various conduit sizes.
Moving on, we have the Greenlee 28008 Rigid Shoe Group 1/2" - 2" (555 Series). This package includes:
- Rigid Shoe Group
-
Similar to its predecessor, the Greenlee 28008 offers the following advantages:
- Hassle-free setup with no loose pieces
- Effortless bending of 1/2" to 2" conduit
- Reduced need for lifting, minimizing operator fatigue
-
The Greenlee 28008 is compatible with the following electric conduit benders:
- Greenlee 555CX
- Greenlee 555DX
- Greenlee 555C
And it also has a bend radius range of 1/2" to 9" to accommodate different conduit sizes.
Lastly, we present the groundbreaking Greenlee SG4 Shotgun Shoe for 555 Benders. This innovative accessory includes:
- Shotgun Shoe
The Greenlee SG4 offers the following exceptional features:
- Ability to bend up to four pieces of conduit simultaneously
- Increased productivity and time savings
- Has the availability to handle eight different conduit types, including Rigid (1/2", 3/4", 1"), IMC (1/2", 3/4", 1"), and EMT (3/4", 1")
- Lightweight and easily transportable
The Greenlee SG4 is compatible with the following electric conduit benders:
- Greenlee 555C
- Greenlee 555CX
- Greenlee 555DX
Incorporating these optional accessories into your Greenlee 555 bender setup provides the following benefits:
- Streamlined setups
- Reduced operator fatigue
- Increased productivity
- Enhanced versatility
Greenlee provides the solutions you need if you require seamless bending of different conduit sizes or seek to expedite the process by handling multiple pieces simultaneously. Invest in these accessories and elevate your conduit bending tasks to a new level of efficiency and convenience.
Bending the Future: How Greenlee 555 Benders Shape Real-World Conduit Installations
The Greenlee Classic 555 Triple Nickel Benders, including the Greenlee 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit without Bending Accessories, Greenlee 555RSC Electric Classic Bender with 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group, and Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes, offers a range of capabilities that cater to specific bending requirements.
Check out this Greenlee Q&A video discussing multiple benders, including the Triple Nickel.
Let's explore the real-world examples of these benders' capabilities:
Greenlee 555C Classic Electric Bender Power Unit without Bending Accessories:
-
Customizable: With the Greenlee 555C power unit, professionals can tailor their bending setup by choosing from various accessory shoe groups.
- Example Application: Depending on the project requirements, they can attach a shoe group designed explicitly for bending conduit types like Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), rigid conduit, or Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC).
Greenlee 555RSC Electric Classic Bender with 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group:
-
Precision bending of rigid conduits: The 28008 1/2" - 2" Rigid Shoe Group, combined with the Greenlee 555RSC bender, allows professionals to achieve accurate and repeatable bends on rigid conduits. This capability is essential for applications requiring rigid materials, such as installations in industrial settings or commercial buildings where rigid conduits are commonly used for durability and protection.
- Example Application: The Greenlee 555RSC with the 28008 Rigid Shoe Group proves valuable in electrical projects involving large-scale infrastructure, where precise bending of rigid conduits from 1/2" to 2" is necessary to route electrical wiring and ensure efficient electrical distribution.
Greenlee 555ESC Electric Classic Bender with Single EMT Shoes:
-
Efficient bending of Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT): The Greenlee 555ESC, equipped with Single EMT Shoes, offers dedicated shoe groups for bending EMT conduit sizes. This capability ensures consistent and accurate bends on EMT conduits, commonly used in residential and commercial electrical installations, due to their flexibility and ease of installation.
- Example Application: In residential construction projects, where EMT conduits are often employed to route electrical wires within walls and ceilings, the Greenlee 555ESC with Single EMT Shoes enables electricians to achieve precise bends required for corners, offsets, and other configurations while maintaining the integrity of the conduit.
These real-world examples illustrate how the Greenlee Classic 555 Triple Nickel Benders cater to specific bending needs, allowing professionals to accomplish precise bends on different conduit types. Whether customizing the bending setup, handling rigid conduit installations, or working with EMT conduits, these benders provide the capabilities necessary to ensure accurate and efficient conduit routing in various construction and electrical projects.
The Triple Nickel Success
Wrapping up the comprehensive exploration of the Greenlee Triple Nickel Bender series, it is evident that these benders stand as a symbol of strength and ingenuity, delivering precise and efficient conduit-bending solutions to professionals in the electrical industry.
Renowned for their reliability, this series has become the favored powerhouse for those prioritizing accuracy in their bending tasks.
Throughout our discussion, we delved into the Greenlee Triple Nickel Bender series, namely the Greenlee 555C, 555RSC, and 555ESC, tailored to meet specific bending requirements.
The Greenlee 555C is a versatile power unit, effortlessly handling various conduit types. Meanwhile, the 555RSC takes the spotlight when bending rigid conduits, showcasing its accuracy and reliability. For those focusing on Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), the 555ESC, with its specialized shoe groups, is an optimized solution.
Optional accessories are available for the Greenlee Triple Nickel Benders to optimize performance further. These accessories streamline the bending process, alleviate operator fatigue, and boost productivity, allowing professionals to achieve optimal results.
By investing in the Greenlee Triple Nickel Bender series and incorporating these optional accessories, professionals can unlock the full potential of their bending operations.
With unwavering strength, precision, and reliability, these benders ensure superior conduit bending results, instilling the confidence and efficiency required for successful electrical projects.
Greenlee 555 Classic Benders Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest conduit a 555 bender can bend?
With a comprehensive array of shoes, the 555 can bend any type of conduit from 1/2" through 2".
How many 90-degree bends are allowed in a conduit run?
No conduit section shall contain more than two 90-degree bends or equivalent between pull points.
What is a key advantage of bending RMC, IMC, and EMT with the Greenlee 555 series?
One significant advantage of having the Greenlee 555 bender in your arsenal is that it requires only two shoes to bend all types of conduit, including Rigid, IMC, and EMT.
Can the Greenlee 555 bender handle stainless steel conduit?
Yes, the Greenlee 555 bender can successfully bend stainless steel conduit when equipped with a suitable shoe.
Can the Greenlee 555 bender handle multiple bends in a single conduit?
The Greenlee 555 bender can handle multiple bends in a single conduit, enabling the creation of complex configurations and bends to meet the requirements of various electrical installations.
What challenges may arise when bending conduit with the Greenlee 555 bender in tight spaces or corners?
Bending conduits in tight spaces or corners can be challenging due to limited clearance for the bender and conduit. To overcome this, it is essential to properly position the bender, use bending guides or spacers for support, and consider employing offset or kick bends to accommodate restricted space.