Types of Electrical Conduits and Their Uses

July 25, 2018

Inside an industrial warehouse, rounded metal conduits are lending electrical systems mechanical strength. The situation is different inside an office complex. Not quite as robust as the rigid metal tubing, plastic conduits are dropping down from a false ceiling. Straight to the matter at hand, then, for there are clearly several different types of electrical conduit on the market. Follow along as we describe them in some detail.

Electrical Metal Conduiting

Typically made from galvanized steel, rigid metal conduits have been around for decades. The die threaded and machine bent tubing is available in different diameters, which then leads the tech towards a sizing table so that he can calculate the maximum number of allowable conductors. Rigid and tough, weatherproof and enduring, steel and aluminium tubing are entirely impact resistant. Expect to see this system in warehouses, on outdoor walls, and in heavy industrial applications.

Spotting PVC Tubing

It's not hard to find the plastic tubing. It looks a lot like the metal tubing described above, but it's not nearly as mechanically tough. However, white-walled PVC pipes are easier to install, plus they function well underground. Many extra parts are available, including plain-end elbows, junction boxes, and T-Joint couplers. This time around, the tubes and fittings are designed for in-ground usage, outdoor applications, places where mechanical stress isn't present, and even above ceilings. Catch sight of this system back at an office or a moderately sized commercial structure.

Flexible Metal Conduit

Here's a family of cable routing that's clearly been manufactured to fit a specific range of applications. The tubing is metal, but it can bend and flex because of a specially fabricated interlocking design. In use, we'd see the conduits carrying electrical wires to awkwardly placed routing channels. More specifically, however, flexible metal conduits are used when a rigid coupler can't function in a vibration-prone setting. On motor junction boxes and generator frames, for instance, a rigid metal conduit would terminate prematurely, only to be replaced by a flexible linkage, one that will withstand the vibrations emanating from the equipment frame.

The tip of the iceberg has been uncovered. That's a colourful way of saying there are more options available. There are heavy and light-duty metal conduits, plus systems that withstand certain environmental challenges. For a lighter, more weatherproof fitting, the electrical wiring might swap steel for aluminium. It's the same for PVC tubing. Some plastics are tougher than others. Moreover, when used outside, a plastic that's UV-resistant presents an obvious benefit. For the planning engineer, there's much to consider before the final electrical conduiting solution can be selected.

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