A Detailed Guide of Electrical Conduit NZ for Homeowners

Conduit is used to give protection channels to the electrical wire. It may come in metal or plastic as per the choice. The channel that joins the conduit pieces is known as the Raceway. In a typical domestic wiring system, the cables are generally insulated and go through the walls or ceilings without a conduit. One of the main objectives of the electrical conduit Auckland is protection from physical damage or moisture so it is commonly used in the places where circuit wires are exposed.

Electrical Conduit Auckland Installation

Usually a conduit electrical contains at least two separate insulated wires. This is a primary factor that determines distinction from the cable, which is protected usually in protective armor. Cables are not run through conduits.

The most common installation for raceway includes the conduit, boxes, connectors, and its fittings. A flexible metal ribbon called a fish tape is used by electricians to install individual wires. It is normally a pull or fish technique.

Every type of conduit has its own characteristics, which consists of fittings and connectors. Fittings include components that are more like plumbing fittings like elbows, tees, and couplings. It supports to extend or change the direction of the conduit run. Some of the fittings consist of pull points which nothing but access provided to the conduit’s interior to easily pull wires when required.

Electrical Metallic tubing

EMT or more commonly known as electrical metallic tubing is the most common type of conduit used in exterior or exposed installations. It is generally done in basements, garages, or workshops. It comes in ½ inch diameter and is also referred to as a thin wall because it is very easy to bend with a conduit bender.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) also permits the use of EMT in wet locations but with waterproof fittings and connectors. When properly installed, the EMT raceway can very easily serve as a circuit ground path can be used in place of a separate ground wire running inside the conduit.

Rigid metal conduit and Intermediate metal electrical conduit NZ

For more rigid outdoor structure applications the rigid metal conduit and the intermediate metal conduit are used.  If your home has overheard service wires then the pipe extending to the roof must be RMC or IMC. These types of electrical conduit nz are responsible to protect the wiring going in and out of the breaker box.

Both RMC and IMC can be used interchangeably. But being light and flexible to work makes IMC a preferred choice over RMC these days. NEC permits the use of both RMC and IMC conduits in conditions ranging from dry, wet, and corrosive in nature. In general, they are joined with connectors and fittings.

Flexible metal conduit

Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is also known as “Greenfield”. It is used primarily used in residential circuits like for the connection of garbage disposers and hot water heaters. FMC can only be used in dry locations only and has to be supported on every 4 ½ feet within 12 inches of the electrical box. It can only be applied as a ground path only with certified fittings where the system is flexible even after installation.

Rigid polyvinyl chloride

Rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPC) is another type of conduit much similar to the PVC used in plumbing available at electrical stores. The major difference is that it is a bit thinner than the latter. It is very flexible and heat can be applied to it to change the route of the fitting. Similar to PVC connections in RPC is also glued with a solvent which further helps in waterproofing of the raceway. This quality makes it possible for use in both outdoor and underground applications. Being non-conductive this type of electrical conduit A is not suitable for the ground path.

Leave a comment