Why Use Electrical Conduit?
Why use conduit?
Electrical shock is painful and can be injurious. Electrical conduit prevents contact with wiring and possible injury.
What is electrical conduit?
Electrical conduit is rigid or flexible tubing that protects electrical wiring. ANAMET Electrical, Inc. makes flexible electrical conduit conforming to “raceway of circular cross section made of helically wound, formed, interlocked metal strip” and “raceway of circular cross section having an outer liquid tight, non-metallic, sunlight resistant jacket over an inner metal flexible core.” These two definitions developed in the last 120 years in the NFPA 70®: National Electrical Code®.
What are the advantages of electrical conduit?
There are many ways to suffer injury or loss from poorly managed electricity. However, electrical conduit prevents contact between electrical wires and conductive or flammable material. Electrical conduit ensures a safe ground path for electricity and an armored route for electrical wiring and audio, video, telephone and internet cable.
When buying a home or building an addition, an inspector usually examines construction to see if it is “up to Code,” so shortfalls or deviations from the safety code are known to the buyer and seller. This is because fire can be started by overcurrent demand and poorly installed, worn or aged wiring, when wiring overheats or causes a spark. Even if an older home previously passed an inspection, new standards may require new wiring or safety systems. Often, conduit is not replaced because new wires can be pulled through existing conduit to upgrade the electrical system. Large diameter electrical conduit provides options for future upgrade.
Electrical conduit changes with technology and safety knowledge. ANAMET Electrical, Inc. made conduit to Code requirements for over 70 years. Founded in 1908 as American Metal Hose, ANAMET Electrical set standards for stripwound metal house used as flexible metal conduit. On April 18, 1949, Underwriter Laboratories listed SEALTITE®, the first liquid tight, flexible, electrical conduit, which is still in production at ANAMET Electrical, Inc.
Both rigid and flexible electrical conduit can be seen on building sites, strung through walls and ceilings to protect wiring. “Flex” or “Greenfield” flexible metal conduit is approved for installation indoors in dry conditions. It protects wiring distributing power from a central grounding and bonding circuit-breaker box to outlets, appliances, controls and lights. Indoor conduit can be rigid or flexible, but they are not liquid tight, so water may degrade wiring.
In contrast, liquid tight, flexible conduit has a metal or plastic core covered by thermosetting plastic. The plastic jacket protects wiring from liquids, temperature extremes and corrosive chemicals. The Code allows ground burial of liquid tight electrical conduit. Some utility companies recommend burial of electrical power lines inside plastic or plastic-jacketed conduit, due to the tree roots and their persistent intrusion into buried power lines. Burial of electrical power lines avoids use of power poles and pole-mounted transformers. Burial avoids wind, weather damage and weather-related power loss.
Approved for outdoor use, liquid tight conduit protects wiring from the sun, wind and weather extremes. This conduit can be used to connect solar panels, air conditioners, heat pumps, wells, antennas, boathouses, garages, work sheds, greenhouses, hot tubs, swimming pools, irrigation controls, and outdoor sound and lighting systems.
Why use Electrical conduit from ANAMET Electrical, Inc.?
ANAMET Electrical persists in creating conduit that meets or exceeds safety requirements. Even if the conduit is not visible, choosing UL approved conduit ensures that safety is the first consideration to connect and protect wiring and cable. Electrical conduit fittings are designed to ensure a liquid tight connection. SEALTITE® electrical conduit fittings make sure water cannot enter the liquid tight conduit, ensuring safe connection of electrical power.
When purchasing electrical conduit and fittings consider the conditions of use, future options and local code requirements. Save money and avoid unsafe conditions by working within the local code. If you need conduit in large quantities, contact us or request information today.