Electrical wirings can be rather tricky since any building needs a variety of them in order to run their systems well. So many things require wiring and while wireless systems exist, there’s no guarantee that your office or workplace uses them solely. That said, good cable management is a must.
To do this, engineers will often advise that you get an electrical conduit installed. Made from small PE pipe fittings, concrete, or some other materials, electrical conduits can shelter your wiring systems and provide additional benefits that can protect your electrical systems for many years to come.
Why electrical conduits are so important
There are many benefits to having electrical conduits. The most obvious one is that they protect the wirings from impact, moisture, and other external factors that can damage or affect the pipes. This is extremely important to any electrical system that powers machinery such as those you can find in medical or commercial establishments, which contain perishable goods.
Another benefit is that electrical conduits are easy to replace. Especially for piping systems that use PVC or PE piping, it’s possible to detach, repair, and replace the entire sections of electrical conduits without damaging or affecting large parts of the wiring system. Using electrical conduits is also a safer and faster way to maintain electrical systems.
Installation of electrical conduits is also easier since there are plenty of ways to install the system to integrate it with existing fixtures. Tubes can be bent or molded to fit with existing building architecture, or adjusted to fit existing electrical fixtures.
Finally, electrical conduits are critical to fireproofing a building. Since electrical components are often the first causes and victims of a fire, encasing your wirings in the conduit can help minimize the damage that can happen during disasters.
Types of electrical conduits
Metal
This is the most common type of material used in creating electrical conduits. Aside from being easily accessible alloyed metal can offer additional protection to the wiring inside the conduit. Certain metals are also extremely resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for installations that have chemical or liquid vapor, which can often affect other materials.
Underground
Underground conduits are ideal for wiring systems that need long-range communications between sites. Commonly seen in large installations such as factories or communications facilities, underground electronic conduits are essential for large-scale wiring systems that normal piping or tubing can’t accommodate.
Flexible
Flexible conduits are important when the wiring systems are so delicate that they need to be protected from vibrations, which can often carry along the piping lines due to mechanical or human activity. Usually a blend of alloyed metal and polymer, flexible electrical conduits are a common sight in installations that carry a lot of delicate components, such as an electronics center.
Finally, materials like PVC have been a popular choice when it comes to commercial and residential electrical conduits. Easily sourced and installed, non-metal electrical conduits are the ideal middle ground for protection and cost, which is why they’re widely used today.
