To ensure your electrical systems last long, you must invest in durable and high-quality materials. One of the best ways to organise your wiring is with a conduit system. These protect your cable from damage and maintain their functionality for a long time. 

A Metal conduit is great at strengthening cable systems and providing excellent protection. If you plan on getting a new conduit system, here are a few things to remember about metal cable conduits. 

Where Are Metal Cable Conduits Used?

Metal cable conduits are typically used for organisation and creating a functional electrical network. However, these systems have several other uses as well. 

Here are some ways you can use metal cable conduits. 

• Meet Codes and Regulations: In most cases, conduits are a requirement according to building safety standards and codes.  Following these regulations for new constructions is crucial, but even if you’re replacing worn-out old conduits, you need to meet the standard.
• Versatility In Design: You can keep all your wiring safe with a conduit. This means you can easily manoeuvre them in any configuration or install them in any location to meet your electrical needs.   
• Protect Wiring From Damage: One of the main reasons many electricians prefer a cable conduit is because they provide all-around protection to your cabling. These conduits can offer protection against moisture, fire, chemicals, impact and other such hazards. While most wires and cables have some form of insulation, a conduit can add to that protective layer. 
• Eliminate Interference: Cable conduits are a great way to reduce electromagnetic interference to help cables and wiring perform better. 
• Keep Wiring Organised: If you have a ton of wires and cables that are hard to make, add them in a conduit to keep things organised. Disorganised wiring can also harm the outer sheathing of your components, so using a conduit here is crucial. In addition, a manageable space makes it easy to simplify installation, move around, and conduct maintenance. 

How Do Metal Conduits Work?

Metal electrical conduits are plastic or metal tube structures holding essential electrical wires and cabling. These systems are often called trunking as well. 

The conduit’s design can be rigid or flexible depending on where it’s installed. The purpose of a conduit is to protect wires from any hazards. You can also use them in unfinished or exposed indoor and outdoor settings. 

To fit various installations and demands, cable conduits come in various sizes, shapes, materials and styles. The most common material for the conduit is a metallic style. But you can also find conduits in plastic, fibre and fired clay. 

These structures are best for protection as they have a thick outer layer that protects your wiring. 

With so many options, many electricians classify cable conduits according to their wall thickness, the type of material used and the mechanical stiffness. This makes it easy to recognise which conduit is needed. 

All cable conduits should meet the national electricity requirements before installation to ensure the material works best for your wiring system. Most cable conduit materials are chosen for their corrosion resistance, mechanical protection and overall cost of the installation process. This cost includes the labour and material prices.  

A great thing about cable conduits is that they reduce the need for an electrical box or similar equipment. If you go for a metal conduit, you can carry out the function of a grounding wire without needing a separate component. 

What Are The Best Metal Cable Conduits?

To find all the best metal conduits in one place, check out Meteor Electrical. We carry a wide range of options in varying sizes and finishes to fit every kind of installation. 

Whether you want a rigid or flexible system, Meteor has something for every consumer. With so many options, here are some of Meteor's best metal cable conduits.

1. 25mm Galvanised Steel Conduit

If you’re looking for a durable and rigid system, this 25mm galvanised steel conduit is a great option. With a tough galvanised finish, this conduit provides extra support and protection to your electrical wiring. This quality ensures you keep using your wiring for a long time. 

All parts of the conduit maintain a uniform wall thickness to protect all sections of the wire. With a smooth finish, you can easily pull wires through without catching them on the edges. 

1.  Deligo PVC Flexible Conduit

Despite the flexible nature of this conduit, the Deligo PVC tubing provides excellent support to your cabling. Apart from the metal coating, the PVC sheathing is fire-resistant, making it an ideal option for residential and industrial installations. This conduit system is incredibly versatile, working in dynamic and static applications. 

Despite its mechanical strength, the conduit maintains flexibility for easier installation. The Galvanised steel exterior gives the conduit superior protective qualities. This extends the lifespan of your tubing without the need for extra maintenance. 

If you’re looking for more metal cable conduits, visit Meteor today. Here you will also find several conduit fitting options to provide your system with additional support. These fittings are a great way to make installation even more accessible. 

What Are The Different Types Of Metal Cable Conduits?

Metal cable conduits come in various styles and materials built for specific demands. You can find a wide range of sizes in both rigid and flexible structures. 

Electrical Metal Conduit (EMT)

An electrical metal conduit is your best option if you want to install a rigid conduit system. This component has a thin wall structure of galvanised steel, commonly used as a non-flexible option. 

Even though this conduit comes under the rigid category, you can bend its shape with a conduit bender tool to fit any installation. 

The lightweight material is malleable enough to contort into any desired shape. Due to its manufacturing, electrical steel conduits can be applied in many locations. 

However, if an area experiences several physical damages, you should not use this material as it will get damaged easily and ruin your wiring system. 

You can use EMT conduits as an exposed or concealed wall installation. You can also use them on floors and ceilings. The metal material allows them to be embedded into concrete or buried in the ground. 

EMTs are ideal for indoor residential and light commercial installation. If you’re installing them outdoors, you must assemble them with watertight fittings. Electrical metal conduits are connected with clamp-style fittings that slide onto the tubing. This configuration is secured with a set screw and locked into your desired area. 

Even though EMTs provide decent protection for inside cables, they should not be used in hazardous locations (such as power plants) where they might experience severe damage. 

Additionally, EMT conduits are unsuitable for wet areas or places with corrosive fumes and vapours. If you want to use EMTs in such locations, you must use corrosive-resistant tubing and gasket clamps. 

Some electricians avoid using electrical metal conduits in critical areas because the set screws in the clamps tend to loosen over time. To prevent this loosening, a torque wrench will provide the correct tension to the screws to help them last longer. 

Flexible Metal Conduit (FMT)

FMT conduits have a spiral shape, making it easy to bend the conduit and simplifying installation. With this shape, you can add FMTs to walls and other structures. 

Flexible metal tubing is commonly used in exposed areas with a short run. For example, you would usually place them in water heaters. These conduits are often called liquid-tight metal conduits, depending on the outer sheath. 

The liquid-tight version has a plastic outer sheath which makes it watertight. LFMCs are best used for outdoor wiring purposes for air conditioning units and other such equipment. 

Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)

Intermediate conduits are similar to the rid metal option, but they’re lighter and thinner by almost a third of the weight. These systems act as a middle ground between EMT and RMC. 

Made from rigid steel, intermediate metal conduits have a corrosion-resistant coating which is threaded or non-threaded. 

These also have a large diameter inside with a smooth surface, making it easier to pull wring than the rigid model. Nowadays, IMCs have largely replaced RMCs in residential and commercial construction projects. 

Rigid Metal Conduit

As the name suggests, these conduits offer the most protection as they are made from a tough and thick exterior.  These are typically used for structural piping in homes to connect to utility service lines. 

RMCs are often joined with a threaded connection to keep them together. Coated with either aluminium or stainless steel, these conduits offer excellent protection against punctures, cuts and other impacts. Apart from these two, you can also choose from other coatings depending on your needs. 

When making this choice, remember where you’ll install the RMC. If you’re using it for outdoor use, choose the coating accordingly. One thing to note about RMCs is that they are expensive and difficult to bend. Despite these drawbacks, they are an excellent option for an external cable conduit system. 

How To Choose The Right Cable Conduit?

Choosing the correct type of conduit for your project depends on various factors. Here are some factors to help you choose the right cable conduit. 

Installation Requirments 

Think of how you’ll place the conduit. Are you going to bend it, bury it underground or put it inside a concrete block? 

Consider these points when choosing a suitable conduit. You need to ensure that the chosen conduit is rated for these locations. 

The Cost

When it comes to any construction material, you need to factor in the cost. Weigh the benefits of every conduit type with your budget. 

In some cases, building regulations might ask you to choose a specific type of conduit which can get pricey. Still, you can make do with variations to keep your budget low.

Potential Hazards

Consider what type of hazards could come into contact with your cable conduit. Your conduit should always offer protection from corrosion, moisture, impact, flames, chemicals and sunlight.  

Variety

If you have multiple uses for a conduit system, look for something that can work in multiple settings. 

For instance, construction involving exposed indoor wiring might work well with a standard electric non-metallic conduit, but areas with many bends and long runways might need a flexible option. If you’re running communication cables, a specialised fibre optic conduit is your best bet. 

Assembly Time

Time is money, so investing in conduit with a manageable assembly time is important. Some conduits are much easier to work with and can speed up installation. For example, electric metallic conduits are easier to bend and pull wiring through. 

However, you shouldn’t opt for manageable conduits to reduce assembly time. Find the right conduit and weigh its benefits to find the right one for you. 

What Type Of Wiring Is Run Through Cable Conduits?

Since cable conduits are designed to store wiring, they can support any kind of cabling. However, they usually work best with THWN or THHN wires. THWN wires have thermoplastic insulation and provide resistance to heat and water. 

On the other hand, THHN wires also have thermoplastic insulation, providing much higher heat resistance. These often have a nylon coating as well. These wires make up various popularly used cables, which are ideal for storing in a conduit system. 

If you opt for non-metallic cable, you’ll need to place a grounding wire, but metal conduits can also be used in their place. Modern installations typically require a ground wire, but older fittings can get away with using a conduit to ground the raceway.  

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https://www.meteorelectrical.com/blog/cable-conduit.html

https://www.meteorelectrical.com/blog/external-cable-conduit.html

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https://www.meteorelectrical.com/blog/underground-cable-conduit.html

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