Electrical conduit definition is, it is a durable tube or enclosure where

electrical wires are enclosed for protection from damage. Sometimes, these
are also called wire ways or raceways. Electrical conduit is very essential
where the electric wiring is exposed so that it protects the wires & individuals
who may approach near the electric wires. The material used to make this
conduit is plastic or metal and may be bendable or stiff. The electrical conduit
diagram is shown below.

PVC Conduit:
Available in varying wall thicknesses and threaded, PVC is light and
commonly used for applications requiring non-metal electrical conduit.
PVC conduit is not recommended for use in direct sunlight due to poor
UV stability. It is relatively easy to heat and field bend with the use of a
hotbox conduit bender, but must be mounted to allow for expansion
and contraction due to a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and
may deform after installation in environments that are too hot.
Traditionally PVC has been an inexpensive conduit, however, in
recent years it has become more expensive and harder to source, due
to ongoing supply chain issues.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN
ELECTRICAL CONDUIT
National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines, local codes, and
engineering specifications most often dictate which conduit to consider
for use in a project. Although size and type are key aspects, there
are many characteristics to consider when choosing an electrical
conduit, including:

• Cable fault
 • Toxicity
• Weight
• Durability
• Temperature range
• Support spans
• Burn-through
• Coefficient of friction
• Conductivity
• Distance between expansion joints
• Material cost
• Field handling
• Memory
• Labor cost
The correct conduit should:

• Be durable and long-lasting

• Be fire-resistant as dictated by environment/application
• Allow for cables to easily be pulled to areas that may be
inaccessible in the future, and unaffected by any pulling lubricants
with limited or no burn-through
• Be cost-effective.
Types of Electrical Conduit
There are different types of electrical conduits that are commonly used in
residential and other commercial buildings. They are;

• Electrical Metallic Tubing.

• Rigid Metal Conduit.
• Intermediate Metal Conduit.
• Flexible Metal Conduit.
 • Liquid-tight Flexible Metal.
• Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing.
• Rigid PVC Conduit.

• HOME
• ABOUT
• PRODUCTS
• AWARD
• CERTIFICATION
• CATALOGUE
• CONTACT US
•
• 0
Home P.V.C. & Plastic Conduit Accessories
P.V.C. & Plastic Conduit
Accessories

Circular Box 1 Way

Circular Box 2 Way Angle

Circular Box 2 Way

Circular Box 3 Way

Circular Box 4 Way

Circular Box U
Circular Box Y

Circular Box H
 Loop In Box

Extension Ring
 Circular Lid

Space Bar Saddle

 Coupler

P.V.C. Normal Bend

 Adaptable Box

Adaptor for Flexible Conduit

Circular Lid 85mm

Coupler White
Deep Trunking Box

End Cap
Female Adaptor With Bush

Loop In Box Extension

MCB Box with Din Rail 1-2 Pole

MCB Box with Din Rail 3-4 Pole

P.V.C. Conduit Pipe

P.V.C. Flexible Pipe

P.V.C. Trunking

Rectangular Lid
SCH-40 Adaptor

SCH-40 Coupler
 Square Lid

Surface Mounting Box

Switch Socket Box

Trunking Box
 Water Proof Switch Socket Cover
Ref. https://www.electrofocus.com/pvc-plastic-conduit.php

4.5.1 - Plastic and metal conduits

A system of conduits into which unsheathed cables can be drawn has long been a standard method for
electrical installations. The Regulations applying to conduit systems may be summarised as follows:

1. - All conduits and fittings must comply with the relevant British Standards.

2. - Plastic conduits must not be used where the ambient temperature or the temperature of the
enclosed cables will exceed 60°C. Cables with thermo-setting insulation are permitted to run very hot,
and must be suitably down-rated when installed in plastic conduit. To prevent the spread of fire, plastic
conduits (and plastic trunking) must comply with ignitability characteristic 'P' of ES 476 Part 5.

3. - Conduit systems must be designed and erected so as to exclude moisture, dust and dirt. This means
that they must be completely closed, with box lids fitted. To ensure that condensed moisture does not
accumulate, small drainage holes must be provided at the lowest parts of the system.

4. - Proper precautions must be taken against the effects of corrosion (see {4.2.5}), as well as against the
effects of flora (plant growths) and fauna (animals). Protection from rusting of steel conduit involves the
use of galvanised (zinc coated) tubing, and against electrolytic corrosion the prevention of contact
between dissimilar metals eg steel and aluminium. Any additional protective conductor must be run
inside the conduit or its reactance is likely to be so high that it becomes useless if intended to reduce
fault loop impedance.

5. - A conduit system must be completely erected before cables are drawn in. It must be free of burrs or
other defects which could damage cables whilst being inserted.

6. - The bends in the system must be such that the cables drawn in will comply with the minimum
bending radius requirements {4.4.2}.

7. - The conduit must be installed so that fire cannot spread through it, or through holes cut in
floors or walls to allow it to pass. This subject of fire spread will be considered in greater detail
in {4.5.2}
8. - Allowance must be made, in the form of expansion loops, for the thermal expansion of long runs of
metal or plastic conduit. Remember that plastic expands and contracts more than steel.

9. - Use flexible joints when crossing building expansion joints

Table 4.12 - Maximum spacing of supports for conduits

Conduit diameter Rigid metal (m)

(mm) Horizontal Vertical H

Up to 16 0.75 1.0

16 to 25 1.75 2.0

25 to 40 2.0 2.25

Over 40 2.25 2.5

Return to top of page