Molly Ayala
Electrical conduit is a metal or plastic tube that houses electrical wires or cables. It can be rigid or flexible and is used to protect wires in a range of settings, including exposed or unfinished indoor areas, as well as outdoors. Electrical conduit is an integral part of modern infrastructure, from data centres to underground subways. It is also used to protect wires or cables that are outdoors or exposed. Conduits can be made of different materials, including metal and plastic, and come in various types, such as rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), electrical metallic tubing (EMT), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit. RMC is typically composed of heavyweight galvanized steel and is one of the most heavy-duty types of conduit. IMC is a steel tubing that is lighter than RMC and is rated for outdoor use. EMT is a thin-walled conduit typically made of coated steel, while PVC conduit is a plastic pipe that is lightweight and commonly used for non-metal electrical conduit applications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To protect electrical wires or cables |
| Types | Rigid or flexible |
| Materials | Metal (aluminium, steel, galvanized steel) or plastic (PVC) |
| Uses | Exposed or unfinished indoor areas, outdoor settings, concrete, underground |
| Benefits | Protection from impact, corrosion, gases, vapours, moisture, fire, electromagnetic interference |
| Considerations | Weight, corrosion resistance, cable fault resistance, fire resistance, cost, availability |
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What You'll Learn
Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
Conduit is a vital component in protecting electrical wiring in a building or structure. It is a raceway that houses electrical wires and cables, protecting them from damage and the elements. Conduit comes in rigid and flexible forms and can be made from metal or other materials.
RMC is specified by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and is permitted for use in direct encasement or burial in concrete, which is common in commercial and industrial applications. RMC can be cut, bent, and threaded on-site to fit the required specifications. It is often used in commercial applications and is a good choice for straight runs of wire or cable through an attic, garage, basement, or crawl space. RMC provides excellent protection against nicks, cuts, and punctures to wiring.
When compared to other conduits, RMC has thicker walls, making it a reliable option for structural piping that houses the wiring for a home's connection to utility service lines. RMC is joined with threaded connections, and its use may require couplings, connectors, and specific grounding practices to ensure safety and performance standards are met.
While RMC offers superior protection, it is one of the more expensive electrical conduits in terms of materials and labour.
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Intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
Electrical conduit is a metal or plastic pipe through which electrical wires are run. It is used to protect the wires and is available in rigid or flexible forms. Conduit is used in exposed locations (such as along the exterior surface of a wall) as well as in unfinished areas (like basements, crawl spaces, and attics), and in surface-mounted installations outdoors.
IMC provides excellent protection for electrical wiring. It shields against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduces exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). It also provides a superior electrical path to the ground, which is recognized as an equipment grounding conductor by the National Electrical Code (NEC).
When choosing an electrical conduit type, it is important to consider weight, corrosion resistance, cable fault resistance, fire resistance, cost, and availability. IMC offers a good balance of these factors and is a popular choice for many applications.
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Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
Electrical conduit is a metal or plastic pipe through which electrical wires are run. It is used to protect wires and cables in exposed locations, unfinished areas, and surface-mounted installations outdoors.
EMT is approved for use in concrete but is not permitted to be installed where it may be subject to physical damage. It is not able to offer the same level of protection as GRC (Galvanised Rigid Conduit), which is the thickest type of conduit and offers the most protection. EMT is also available in aluminium.
When choosing an electrical conduit type, key considerations include weight, corrosion resistance, cable fault resistance, fire resistance, cost, and availability. Metallic configurations generally have a plastic coating to prevent water penetration.
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Galvanized rigid conduit (GRC)
GRC is made from steel and is approved for both indoor and outdoor applications. It is typically used in industrial and commercial applications and has been an industry standard for a long time. GRC is the thickest type of conduit and offers the most protection. It is also known for its superior strength, formability, and corrosion protection.
GRC is often compared to Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), which is also made of galvanized steel. EMT is thin-walled and unthreaded and is typically used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. EMT is more commonly used than GRC due to its lower cost and ease of installation. However, it does not offer the same level of protection as GRC.
When choosing an electrical conduit type, key considerations include weight, corrosion resistance, cable fault resistance, fire resistance, cost, and availability. It is important to ensure that the correct conduit system is installed to keep power running efficiently and safely.
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Flexible metal conduit
Electrical conduit is a raceway used to house and protect electrical wires within a building or structure. It is available in rigid and flexible forms and can be made from metal or other materials.
Some specific types of flexible metal conduit include:
- Alflex™ Type RWA Reduced Wall Aluminum Flexible Metal Conduit
- Alflex™ Type SWA Standard Wall Aluminum Flexible Metal Conduit
- Data-Flex® Flexible Metal Conduit
- Galflex® Type RWS Reduced Wall Steel Flexible Metal Conduit
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical conduit is a tube or pipe that holds electrical wires or cables. It can be made of metal or plastic and comes in rigid or flexible forms.
Electrical conduits are used to protect electrical wires or cables in a range of settings, including exposed or unfinished indoor areas, as well as outdoors. They also make wiring changes simpler and safer, as existing conductors can be withdrawn and new ones installed with minimal disruption.
Some types of metal electrical conduits include Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC), and Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT). RMC is typically made of galvanized steel and is one of the most heavy-duty options. IMC is also made of steel but is slightly lighter and more economical than RMC. EMT is commonly made of coated steel or aluminum and is the most economical and lightweight option.
Some types of non-metal electrical conduits include Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) conduit, Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing (ENT), and liquid-tight flexible electrical conduit made of polyamide. PVC is the most popular type of non-metallic conduit due to its light weight and low cost. ENT is flexible plastic tubing designed for use inside residential walls or concrete block structures. Polyamide conduit is resistant to oil, benzine, acid, solvents, and flames.
Electrical lines may be in metal conduit or non-metal conduit. It depends on the specific application and requirements. Metal conduits offer more protection but are heavier and more expensive. Non-metal conduits are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and usually more affordable.
