Conduits are passages or courses that can be applied to any area. It can be the conduit for the railway or the pond conduit but explicitly talking about the electrical conduits, it is the pathway where all the wires or cables are placed together. They are covered and protected from any environmental interference.
When a house is built, the first task of an electrician is to decide the electrical conduit he/she will go with. It makes the electrical process less overwhelming and feasible. In this article, we’ll let you go through different types of electrical conduits and where you can use them. So, let’s dive into it without any further ado.
Understanding Electrical Conduit
An electrical conduit is a tube or other enclosure through which electrical wires are run. It is typically made of metal or plastic and is used to protect the cables and provide a safe installation of the electrical wire.
Electrical conduits are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to route electrical cables and wires and protect them from damage. They can be installed either underground or above ground, and are typically buried in the walls, floors, or ceilings of buildings. Conduits are available in a variety of materials and sizes and can be either rigid or flexible depending on the specific application.
Types of Electrical Conduits
When it comes to electrical conduits, you can choose several options following your plan. Here are the two types of electrical conduits.
1. Metal Conduits:
Metal conduits are a type of electrical raceway used to protect and route electrical wiring. They are typically made of metal, such as steel or aluminum. They are used in commercial & industrial buildings to provide a safe and secure path for electrical cables and wires.
Metal conduits are typically installed on the surface of walls or ceilings or can be embedded in the concrete or other construction materials. They are available in various sizes and shapes, including rigid conduits, flexible conduits, and metallic electrical tubing (EMT). Metal conduits are a durable and reliable option for electrical wiring in various settings.
2. Non-Metal Conduits:
Non-metal conduits, also known as non-metallic conduits or plastic conduits, are a type of electrical raceway used to protect and route electrical wiring. They are typically made of a non-conductive material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and are used in both residential and commercial buildings to provide a safe and secure path for electrical cables and wires.
Non-metal conduits are typically less expensive and easier to install than metal conduits, and they are also resistant to corrosion and rust. However, they are not as durable as metal conduits and may not be suitable for use in certain high-traffic or high-stress environments.
Non-metal conduits are available in a range of sizes and shapes, including rigid pipes, flexible conduits, and electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT).
Types of Metal Conduits
Metal conduits have several types. You can go for the one that suits your needs: Here are these:
1. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC):
RMC is a type of metal electrical conduit that is made from thin-walled, high-strength steel or aluminum. It is called “rigid” because it is a solid, non-flexible conduit that does not easily bend or compress.
RMC is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial & industrial buildings, and it is often used in outdoor or underground applications where the conduit is exposed to the elements. It is also commonly used in wet locations, such as bathrooms and outdoor lighting installations.
RMC is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers.
2. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT):
EMT is a type of metal electrical conduit that is made from thin-walled, galvanized steel or aluminum. It is called “electrical metallic tubing” because it is designed specifically for electrical wiring and is not suitable for other types of piping or tubing.
EMT is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial and residential buildings, and it is often used in outdoor or underground applications where the conduit is exposed to the elements. EMT is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter.
It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers. EMT is a lightweight and flexible conduit that is easy to install but not as strong or durable as other metal conduits, such as RMC.
3. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC):
IMC is a type of metal electrical conduit that is similar to rigid metal conduit (RMC) but is lighter in weight and easier to install. IMC is made from thin-walled, galvanized steel and is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial & industrial buildings.
It is often used in outdoor or underground applications where the conduit is exposed to the elements and is also commonly used in wet locations.
IMC is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers. IMC is stronger and more durable than electrical metallic tubing (EMT) but is not as strong as RMC.
4. Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC):
FMC is a type of metal electrical conduit that is made from a spiral-wound strip of metal, such as steel or aluminum. It is called “flexible” because it can bend and flex to fit around corners and obstacles, making it ideal for use in tight spaces or where the conduit needs to make frequent turns.
FMC is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial & industrial buildings, and it is often used in outdoor or underground applications where the conduit is exposed to the elements. It is also commonly used in damp locations, such as bathrooms and outdoor lighting installations.
FMC is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers. FMC is a durable and reliable option for electrical wiring. Still, it is less strong and rigid than other types of metal conduits, such as rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC).
5. Liquid-Tight Flexible Metal (LFMC):
LFMC is a type of metal electrical conduit that is similar to flexible metal conduit (FMC), but it is coated or lined with a waterproof material to make it resistant to liquids and moisture. LFMC protects and routes electrical wiring in damp locations, such as bathrooms, outdoor lighting installations, and other areas where the conduit is likely to come into contact with water or other liquids.
It is made from a spiral-wound strip of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and can bend and flex to fit around corners and obstacles. LFMC is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers.
LFMC is a durable and reliable option for electrical wiring in damp locations. Still, it is less strong and rigid than other metal conduits, such as rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC).
Types of Non-Metal Conduits
Non-metal conduits are divided into two types. You can opt for the one that suits your needs.
1. (RNC) Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit:
RNC is a non-metal electrical conduit made from a strong, non-conductive material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene). It is called “rigid” because it is a solid, non-flexible conduit that does not easily bend or compress.
RNC is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial and residential buildings, and it is often used in outdoor or underground applications where the conduit is exposed to the elements. It is also commonly used in damp locations, such as bathrooms and outdoor lighting installations.
RNC is available in a range of sizes, with the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers. RNC is a lightweight and easy-to-install option for electrical wiring. Still, metal conduits are stronger and more durable than it is, such as rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC).
2. (ENT) Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing:
ENT is a non-metal electrical conduit made from a flexible, non-conductive material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene). It is called “electrical nonmetallic tubing” because it is designed specifically for electrical wiring and is not suitable for other types of piping or tubing. ENT is used to protect and route electrical wiring in commercial and residential buildings, and it is often used in indoor applications where the conduit is not exposed to the elements. It is also commonly used in damp locations, such as bathrooms and outdoor lighting installations.
ENT is available in various sizes, the most common being 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, 1 1/2 inch, & 2-inch diameter. It is typically installed using couplings and fittings and is secured to the building structure using straps or hangers. ENT is a lightweight and easy-to-install option for electrical wiring. Still, metal conduits are stronger and more durable than it is, such as rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC).
Conclusion
The electrical conduit’s nature depends upon the environment and the requirements. You or the electrician must make a well-researched decision as it’ll affect the further functioning. We have listed and explained the types of electrical conduits above, but if you still have some queries, you can ask us in the comments below!
