Conduit and fitting product attributes

Conduit fittings are sold in huge numbers of near-identical SKUs, and the differences that matter are rarely in the title. A 3/4 in connector for EMT, rigid, IMC or liquidtight flexible conduit may share a body style and look the same in a thumbnail, but each mates only with its own raceway. Combination and reducing fittings add a second trade size, which suppliers often bury in the description or drop entirely.

Location ratings cause the next set of problems. Raintight, concrete-tight and wet location are separate markings with separate meanings, yet supplier sheets use them loosely and sometimes interchangeably. Material and finish get merged into one phrase, so a zinc die-cast part and a PVC-coated steel part land in the same filter bucket. Thread form matters as well: a tapered NPT hub and a straight NPSM thread do not seal the same way.

A usable record keeps raceway type, trade size in both inch and metric designator form, termination on each end, location rating and material as separate governed fields. With those in place a buyer can match a fitting to the conduit on site, and a reviewer can check each value against the manufacturer's catalog page or listing mark.

The conduit & fittings attribute template

18 candidate fields in 5 groups, ordered the way a record gets built: identify the item, capture its specifications, then record fit and the evidence behind any claim. 11 are marked Core: without them the item cannot be identified or filtered. Example values show the expected format only; they do not describe a real SKU.

Identity

Which exact item, variant and pack this record describes.

Check before use: Preserve leading zeros and punctuation, validate against the manufacturer record, and check the GTIN check digit and packaging level before linking.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Manufacturer Part Number manufacturer_part_number	Identifier	Core	CF-075-LT
GTIN-14 / UPC gtin_14_upc	Identifier	Core	10812345000754

Technical specifications

Measured or rated values that must travel with their unit and test conditions.

Check before use: Store the number and unit separately. Convert only when the source unit and test conditions are known.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Trade Size (Metric Designator) trade_size_metric_designator	Controlled list · in	Core	3/4 in (21)
Second Trade Size / Reducing Size second_trade_size_reducing_size	Controlled list · in	Core	1 in EMT to 3/4 in FMC
Nominal Length / Coil Length nominal_length_coil_length	Number · ft	Core	10
Temperature Rating temperature_rating	Text · °C	Buyer decision	-30 °C to 80 °C

Selection attributes

The type, material and option choices buyers filter and compare on.

Check before use: Map supplier wording to a governed vocabulary only after checking the source text and which variant it applies to.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Fitting / Raceway Type fitting_raceway_type	Controlled list	Core	Liquidtight straight connector
Body Material body_material	Controlled list	Core	Steel
Finish / Coating finish_coating	Controlled list	Core	Electro-galvanized (zinc)
Termination Method (End 1 / End 2) termination_method_end_1_end_2	Controlled list	Core	Compression x male threaded
Body Style / Configuration body_style_configuration	Controlled list	Core	Type LB
Insulated Throat insulated_throat	Controlled list	Buyer decision	Insulated (nylon)

Fit & compatibility

What the item mounts to, mates with, replaces or works alongside.

Check before use: Keep model and series qualifiers. A similar-looking part is not a verified fit until a source says so.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
For Conduit Type for_conduit_type	Controlled list	Core	LFMC
Thread Type thread_type	Controlled list	Buyer decision	NPT (tapered)

Evidence & compliance

Listings, standards, classifications and origin claims that need a document behind them.

Check before use: Link the manufacturer document or label with its edition or date. Never copy a certification from a neighboring SKU.

Attribute	Type	Priority	Example format
Location Rating (UL 514B marking) location_rating_ul_514b_marking	Controlled list	Buyer decision	Wet Locations
Product Standard(s) & UL File Number product_standard_s_ul_file_number	Text	Channel / evidence	UL 514B; NEMA FB 1
Hazardous Location Rating hazardous_location_rating	Controlled list	Channel / evidence	Class I, Div 1, Groups B, C, D
Country of Origin / Domestic Content country_of_origin_domestic_content	Controlled list	Channel / evidence	United States

Normalize supplier values

The same value arrives in many spellings. Map each raw string to one governed value, and keep the raw text beside it so a reviewer can see what the supplier actually wrote.

Often missing from supplier files

These fields are commonly absent from price lists and basic feeds, even though the information usually exists in a datasheet, label or installation manual. Treat an empty value as a request for evidence, not as permission to fill it from a similar model.

• Location Rating (UL 514B marking)
• Insulated Throat
• Second Trade Size (combination and reducing fittings)
• Thread Type (NPT / NPSM / NPSL)
• Body Material split from Finish

Questions the record must answer

Buyers and counter-sales reps choosing conduit & fittings ask questions like these. Each one needs a specific field, sourced for the exact variant.

• Does this connector fit liquidtight flexible conduit or only EMT?
• Is this fitting marked for wet locations, or only concrete-tight?
• Does it come with an insulated throat, or do I need a separate bushing?
• What are the two trade sizes on this reducing coupling?

From supplier file to record

1. Resolve identity first. Link the supplier SKU, manufacturer part number and packaging identifiers without merging distinct variants or pack sizes.
2. Extract with the source attached. Pull values from rows, tables and datasheets, keeping the raw text, unit and page or row reference.
3. Map to your classification. Assign the ETIM, ECLASS, UNSPSC or internal class your company licenses, and keep the supplier's original terms.
4. Review, sync and watch. Hold conflicts and safety-related values for a category expert, write approved values to ERP or PIM, and recheck when the supplier sends a new file.

For the full method, see how to build a category attribute template and the category catalog gap audit.

FAQ