Among the types of electrical wiring, conduit wiring is the best system of wiring. The conduit wiring is done by using a conduit, which is simply the channels or tubes that provide path and protection to the electrical wiring.
Plastic, fiber, and fired clay are used to make conduits. Metal conduits are also used widely. The conduits are mainly rigid. But for some purposes, the flexibility of the conduit is modified in accordance with the requirements. The operating period of rigid conduits is long. In comparison to that, a flexible conduit has a shorter life.
The electrical conduit provides an enclosure to avoid damages in wiring due to external factors. The conductors of the electrical network are tubed using conduit for a long-lasting, protective operation.
The conduits that are used in conduit wiring may be metallic and non-metallic.
The metallic conduits are made of thin and thick layers of steel sheets. The thin layered conduit is called a low gauge conduit and the thickly layered conduit is known as the high gauge conduit.
The non-metallic conduits are flexible and are of great use nowadays. They are mainly made up of solid PVC and other plastics.
To install conduit wiring, conduit box, cables are the basic requirements. Multiple saddles, two-way through-box, hexagonal brass bush, tee box, angle box are also used. There are three types of saddles used in conduit wiring: normal saddles which are not so good with quality, the spacing saddles with oval holes in them, and the multiple saddles.
Conduit wiring uses the stranded cables. PVC insulated cables, wires, and cords are used in conduit wiring.
Types of Conduit wiring
The types of conduit wiring depend on the methods of laying conduits. The two types of conduit wiring are as follows.
- Surface conduit wiring
- Concealed conduit wiring
Surface conduit wiring
In this type of conduit wiring, the conduits are laid on the surface of the walls or ceilings of the building. The installation of conduit wiring is done by Rawal plugs. In this method, holes are created on the site where the wiring is needed and the conductors are placed at equidistance.
Concealed conduit wiring
In this method, the conduits are rested on the walls or the ceilings of the buildings. The conduits are hidden inside the walls, ceilings, and floors with the help of plaster and painting. It gives a beautiful look, and hence it became the most popular wiring system. Concealed conduit wiring provides a stronger wiring network and safer than a surface conduit wiring system.
The installation of conduit wiring involves clean and bitumen painted conduits and other accessories as pre-requisite. Also, the conduits and all other materials used are threaded properly and screwed.
The conduits are laid in a straight manner where the draw-boxes are placed at intervals of a maximum of 10 meters.
To install conduit wiring in the roof or ceiling of a building, it should be laid before pouring of concrete to the shuttering of the ceiling. To fix the conduit recessed in the walls rigidly, staples should be done at a definite interval of distance. The conduits are terminated in switch boxes or GI PVC boxes. Then the switch box is flushed with the plaster of the wall or ceiling.
Conduit wiring advantages
The advantages of conduit wiring are
- Conduit wiring is the safest wiring method.
- The concealed conduit wiring looks beautiful as they are laid under the plaster and painting.
- Since the cables are insulated, they can avoid the risk of damages due to external factors.
- The maintenance of conduit wiring is easy and simple.
- Repairing and customizing is also possible in the conduit wiring system.
- Because of the insulation, it can be used in cold, humid places.
- Proper earthing and grounding of metallic pipes provide no risk of electric shock.
- The sustainability of the conduit wiring system is more.
- It is a popular and reliable wiring system.
Conduit wiring disadvantages
The disadvantages of conduit wiring system are
- The expenses regarding the installation of the conduit wiring are high because of the use of metallic pipes.
- It is not easy to find faults in the wiring as it is laid under the plasters.
- The installation process of conduit wiring is complex.
- Without proper grounding, metallic pipes can create an electric shock.
- The management of additional connections is a complicated thing.
Conduit wiring applications
The applications of the conduit wiring are
- The conduit wiring can be used in the garage, home and shed, or barn.
- The commercial building uses flexible metal conduits.
- The galvanized, thick conduits are used in outbuildings where conduits can be damaged.
- The under driveways use rigid metal conduits to run wires as they are the thickest and the heaviest of all.
- Service feeder installations are done using conduit wiring.
Author
Sunmoni Gohain
NIT Silchar
