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What is a Conduit System? Understanding the Basics

Electrical wires are often exposed to wear or weather where they are installed. The US National Electrical Code (NEC) lists protective options. Conduit systems have been developed to durably protect wiring in industrial and commercial applications. What is a conduit system, which kinds of electrical conduit are available, and what will help you choose an effective solution?

At Anamet Electrical, we’re proud to offer a wide range of electrical conduit systems, including flexible plastic conduit, metal conduit and more. We also provide assembly and cut length options for rapid installation of conduit. What is a conduit system? Here is some information to help you.

What is a Conduit System?

Since electricity developed as an industrial and household power option, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) provided guidance about safe equipment and installation. Bare wire was unsafe, so rigid and flexible tube was invented to protect wiring. World War II naval and aircraft applications for electric power demanded lighter weight, flexible protection for wiring. ANACONDA factories met the demand for liquid tight conduit and shielding conduit, producing at least 2 million feet per month.

After the war, ANACONDA SEALTITE® was the first liquid tight, flexible metal conduit approved for commercial use. Although there are a variety of flexible and rigid tube options for protecting wire where it must be installed, since 1952 SEALTITE® has been installed worldwide to protect electrical wiring. Liquid tight fittings were developed for end to end protection.

A conduit system is liquid tight fittings on liquid tight conduit, keeping water and dust away from wiring.

Three main conduit system options are available from ANAMET Electrical:

  • Liquid tight, flexible, metal conduit and liquid tight fittings
  • Liquid tight, flexible, non-metallic conduit and liquid tight fittings
  • Food Grade liquid tight, flexible, metal conduit and liquid tight fittings

ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit is available in Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) listed and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved options. All SEALTITE® fittings are Canadian and US UL listed.

In our conduit system, conduit is tested (with fittings installed) to consistently provide a liquid tight seal. For a safety inspector, the UL and CSA symbols show that an independent authority inspects production and marking of these products.

  • Conduit and fittings conform to standards that make conduit and fittings interchangeable.
  • Trade sizes are consistent so that conduit and fittings fit junction boxes and knockout holes.
  • Threaded fasteners compress seals for long term sealing of wiring runs.
  • Threaded fasteners allow terminations to be tightened to UL and CSA torque requirements.
  • Threaded fasteners allow connections to be opened for inspection, maintenance or upgrade.

ANAMET Electrical Support for Conduit Cutting and Fitting Installation

Benefits of Using Electrical Conduit Systems

There are several advantages in using a SEALTITE electrical conduit system:

  • Protection: The design and testing of ANACONDA SEALTITE® with SEALTITE® fittings make protection consistent.
    • Conduit and fittings protect wiring to the highest NEC level allowed for flexible conduit, Class I Division 2 Hazardous Locations.
    • The primary purpose of conduit is wiring protection and SEALTITE® products reliably protect wiring worldwide.
  • Organization:
    • ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit is available in a variety of colors, meeting UL and CSA safety requirements.
    • Conduit is available in larger Trade sizes that allow later upgrade of wiring.
    • Threaded fittings allow junctions to be opened for inspection and maintenance.
    • Some SEALTITE® fittings are available in compact 45-degree elbow, 90-degree elbow or straight configurations.
    • The swept bore of SEALTITE® elbow fittings avoids difficulties in snaking wire through the fittings.
  • Flexibility: If you need reliable options, ANACONDA SEALTITE® offers reliable solutions.
    • UL listed ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit with straight fittings are approved for Direct Burial and in concrete, allowing for transition from exposed conduit to trench placement.
    • The bend radius of SEALTITE® conduit allows for wiring to be routed around obstacles or to be buried with confidence that wiring will be protected from earth movement, crushing force or water intrusion.
    • SEALTITE® fittings are Halogen Free and when installed on Type ZHUA (Zero Halogen, UL listed) conduit, the system is suitable for confined spaces where toxic Halogen gas must be avoided.
    • UL listed ANACONDA SEALTITE® is approved for installation under raised floors, supporting electrical safety in data network and server installations. Type CW (computer wiring) is blue to denote information technology wiring runs.
    • Type HTUA conduit is UL listed and CSA approved for extreme temperature conditions.
    • SEALTITE® fittings in 45-degree and 90-degre elbow configurations enable wiring to be connected to junction boxes with inherent strain relief. Wiring and conduit may have a drip loop by a junction box to prevent liquid intrusion to the box exposed to rain or water spray.
  • Compliance: Industrial and commercial applications demand stringent safety standards.
    • Building codes in the USA and Canada demand approved conduit and fittings. ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit systems are tested and approved for installation.
    • National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and FDA requirements call for Food Grade conduit and fittings to protect wiring from frequent washdown and decontamination. ANACONDA SEALTITE® Food Grade conduit systems are available in a variety of options for food non-contact and splash rated conditions.

Tips for Selecting and Installing Electrical Conduit

When using an electrical conduit system, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind:

  • Trade Size: Make sure to select the right size conduit for your wire.
    • Match junction box knockout hole size with the conduit and fittings that meet the diameter of the wiring and cable bundle being installed.
    • Refer to the NEC standard for fill volume so wires do not fill more than 30% of the conduit volume (See NFPA 70 2023 NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 depending on the number of conducting wires in the conduit) for easier bending and maintenance of the electrical system.
    • Allow room inside conduit, especially for wiring in trenches or in Direct Burial so that putting wiring in installed conduit does not hinder project completion.
  • Select Conduit for Bending: If conduit is subject to frequent bending, consider using Type CNP non-metallic conduit. It has a great reputation for bouncing back from impact and standing up to frequent bending and flexing. Type CNP has been installed in factories worldwide to protect machine and sensor wiring on the factory floor.
  • Secure Connections: Make sure the conduit and fittings are clean and dry before assembly. Tighten fittings to UL and CSA torque requirements. This approach ensures a liquid and dust tight connection.
  • Inspection: Make sure the conduit and fittings meet local safety regulations.
    • UL listed and CSA approved conduit and fittings enable safety inspector confidence while approving electrical installations.
    • Food Grade conduit and fittings are frequently used in food and pharmaceutical factories, so safety inspectors look for the NSF marking.

Trust Anamet Electrical for Your Conduit Needs

ANAMET Electrical offers a range of reliable electrical conduit systems to meet your needs. Where you need flexible non-metallic conduit, liquid tight flexible metal conduit or other flexible wiring protection solutions, we can meet your needs. Our team is experienced and knowledgeable in flexible wiring protection.

Contact us today to learn more about available options. We can help you safely and flexibly protect your electrical wiring.

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