What is the primary function of a conduit hickey?

A conduit hickey is specifically designed to aid in the bending of conduit pipes, which is essential for creating the necessary shapes and angles required for electrical installations and other applications. Bending conduit allows for efficient routing around obstacles, improving the overall layout and functionality of an electrical system. The tool facilitates precise bends, maintaining the integrity of the conduit while ensuring that it conforms to the required specifications.

In the context of conduit installation, the hickey provides a mechanical advantage that simplifies the bending process, allowing even those with limited experience to achieve accurate bends without putting undue stress on the conduit material. This is crucial in maximizing safety and ensuring proper electrical installations, as improper bending could lead to conduit failure or difficulties when pulling wires through.

Other options identify functions that are not performed by a conduit hickey. For instance, flattening a conduit pipe, measuring conduit lengths, or cutting conduit pipe would require different tools and techniques specifically designed for those purposes.