General
triple nickel
What does triple nickel mean?
Electrician slang for the Greenlee 555, the powered conduit bender that's been the go-to tool for bending EMT, IMC and rigid conduit on commercial jobs since the late '60s. Three fives = triple nickel. Also called the sidewinder or whirlygig depending on the crew.
"Pull the triple nickel out of the truck — we've got a stack of 90s to bang out before lunch."
Origin
From the model number: Greenlee 555, introduced 1968 and never really dethroned.
Frequently asked questions
What is a triple nickel?
It's the Greenlee 555, the industry-standard powered conduit bender used by electricians.
Why is it called a triple nickel?
The nickname comes from the tool's model number, the Greenlee 555 — three fives, or three "nickels."
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