Middle Atlantic 5518FO Non-Metallic Fiberready External Elbow Fitting
Overview
The Middle Atlantic 5518FO is a non-metallic, fiberready external elbow fitting designed for the 5500-series bend-radius raceway system. This full-capacity external elbow lets fiber and low-voltage cabling change direction at wall or floor transitions without exceeding the minimum bend radius — a critical constraint when routing fiber that kinks permanently under tight bends. The 5518FO ships in ivory to match standard commercial interior trim and carries TAA Compliant status, making it appropriate for federal and government-funded installations where country-of-origin sourcing requirements apply.
Compatibility
The 5518FO is engineered specifically for the Middle Atlantic 5500-series non-metallic raceway system — the full-capacity bend-radius line. It mates with 5500-series straight runs, couplers, and cover components. Do not attempt to fit this elbow to the 700-series or 1500-series raceways — those product families use different channel widths and clip profiles. Verify your installed raceway series before ordering. This fitting is suited for cable management runs carrying fiber optic cable, Cat6A, or bundled low-voltage wiring in commercial interior environments.
Installation Notes
As an external elbow, the 5518FO mounts on the outside of a wall or corner transition — it does not require cutting into the wall surface. Secure the elbow to the adjoining straight raceway sections using the standard 5500-series clip-and-cover retention method; no supplemental adhesive or fasteners are required beyond what the raceway system provides. When routing fiber, observe the cable manufacturer's minimum bend radius inside the elbow channel — the full-capacity profile is designed to accommodate it, but overtensioning or overfilling the channel beyond rated fill capacity will negate the benefit. Color is ivory; if your installation uses a different 5500-series color variant, confirm finish match before ordering.
