Underground Cable Conduit

Nowadays, most wiring installations happen underground as they keep things organised and clean above ground. Since you can’t easily access cables underground, you must ensure they are placed correctly. The best way to do this is by putting them in cable conduits. 

Underground cable conduit systems have a tough exterior that protects wiring from impact and other hazards. Before you install these conduits, here are some essential things to remember about underground conduits.

Which Conduits Are Placed Underground?

Not all conduit systems are built the same, as each has its benefits and disadvantages. While many conduits work well indoors, they might not fit outdoor external cables well. Here’s a look at some of the best external cable conduits. 

Electric Metallic Conduits

An electrical metal conduit is your best option if you want a flexible conduit system. Even though EMTs are ideal for indoor residential and light commercial installation, they work well outdoors too. 

If you’re using this conduit with external cables, assemble them with watertight fittings. 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. 

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.    

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 a great option for an external cable conduit system. 

PVC Conduits

The PVC conduit is a great choice if you’re looking for a lightweight, flexible option. PVC conduits are a non-metallic conduit system that works well in outdoor installation. This system is corrosion-resistant and easy to use. 

PVC conduits can be installed above ground or underground, and the flexibility makes it easy to manoeuvre in angled or curved pathways. However, this conduit will not work well in areas with heavy impacts or high temperatures. 

What Is The Best Underground Cable Conduit?

As we’ve mentioned before, outdoor cable conduits come in varying options, sizes and styles. While the choice makes it easy to find your ideal conduit, it can also make it difficult to narrow it down. If you’re looking for high-quality cable conduit systems, visit Meteor Electrical. 

At Meteor, you can browse through a wide variety of cable management systems, including plastic, metal and flexible cable conduits. These options are available in numerous sizes to fit any specification. 

If you want a lighter cable management system, go for plastic trunking. Our galvanised conduits have a tough exterior that maintains the integrity of your wiring and keeps it safe from multiple hazards. This ensures that you keep using your cable for a long time. 

Depending on your needs, you can choose between a 20mm or 25mm length. With the galvanised electrical conduit, you get a uniform wall thickness, so all parts of the wiring system remain safe. 

The continuous weld and free inner surface in a galvanised steel conduit ensure ample protection in the long run. The hot-dipped coating provides a tough exterior and anti-corrosion properties. 

We offer highly durable plastic trunking from Cablecraft to ensure quality in every installation. These conduits come from Cablecraft’s Betaflex range which offers more flexibility with your cable management. 

Designed with corrugated polypropylene material, Cablecraft’s conduits are easy to manoeuvre and fit into any location. 

This material is halogen-free and self-extinguishing for added benefits to reduce any chance of electrical fires. Because of this high-grade construction, Cablecraft’s conduits are ideal for commercial and industrial spaces. 

How To Choose The Best Underground Cable Conduit?

With so many options, you must create a list of factors to help you find the right conduit. Here are some important factors to consider when choosing an outdoor conduit.      

Environment And Location

Think about the specific environmental condition where you will place your outdoor conduit. Consider factors such as sunlight, moisture, temperature changes and potential physical exertions. Pick a conduit that protects against all these hazards and is durable in any outdoor environment.  

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.

The Installation Process

With any construction project, you want to ensure smooth and easy installation. With outdoor conduit, the ease of installation depends on your type. 

Rigid and tough conduits require expertise and more effort, whereas flexible conduits such as PVC are easier to place. Remember to consider the installation time and availability of skilled labour before choosing a conduit. 

Durability And Material

Since your conduits stay outdoors, they need better resistance and durability to any potential hazards. Each type of conduit brings its’ own set of benefits. 

Metallic conduits such as RMT or EMT offer robust protection, while flexible conduits are excellent at providing corrosion resistance. Choose a conduit material that endures harsh outdoor conditions and provides protection. 

What Is The Ideal Burial Depth For Underground Conduits?

Size is important for underground conduits because it affects how deep you dig. Burial depth is also important for deciding the type of wiring you’ll run through the conduit. 

Since these systems come in various sizes, they can be installed at varying depths. Here are some options to consider when installing an underground cable conduit. 

15cm Depth

If you have heavy clay soil or rocky surface or tree roots that make digging difficult, a 15cm depth is ideal. This size minimises digging and provides sufficient support for buried cabling. 

A galvanised rigid metal conduit will work well with this burial depth. Make sure to choose insulated wiring that is rated for wet locations. 

30cm Depth

30cm is an ideal burial depth for small back garden electrical projects. This length is deep enough to protect your wiring from any hazards. A 30cm depth will not take up too much space and make digging more time-consuming. 

Make sure to install a conduit where the cable moves from aboveground to underground, as this will prevent physical damage. 

45cm Depth

This burial depth gives you more flexibility with your installation. You can run any type of circuit for various electrical projects and even run energy to detached buildings. 

You can keep adding wires to this system because of the deeper burial length. Since there’s more flexibility here, you can’t go wrong with PVC conduits. As with the other depths, ensure the wiring is rated for wet locations. 

What Are The Best To Use Conduit For Cabling?

Cable conduits are great for storing wiring and cables, but they can do so much more than that. Here are some great ways to make use of 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.
• 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. While most wires and cables have some form of insulation, a conduit can add to that protective layer. These conduits can offer protection against moisture, fire, chemicals, impact and other such hazards. 
• 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. 

What Is The Difference Between Cable Trunking And Conduits?

Metal trunking keeps all your cable in one place; conduits act as connectors for specific wires to power appliances. Most trunking is behind the walls of a building, while the conduit will provide electricity directly to the appliances. 

Even though these two methods of electrical cable protection and concealment act similarly, each has advantages and disadvantages depending on a particular application. 

Conduit systems are ideal for external and damp environments as they can be submerged in water, and metal conduits minimise electromagnetic interference. A conduit protects conductors from hazardous substances such as chemicals and moisture.  

Additionally, they work well for wiring systems that undergo multiple changes, as conduits allow alterations and removal of wiring systems. Trunking keeps your cables and wiring systems safe and organised. 

The most critical application for trunking comes under cable management. Trunking systems also have multiple applications, and they are ideal for distributing high currents in equipment, buildings, and switching yards. 

If a building has multiple electrical cables in operation, this building will benefit significantly from trunking systems. 

See similar blogs:

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

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

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

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