A solid and well-maintained electrical system is essential for the safety of any home or building. And when electricity is involved, it doesn't pay to take any risks by using low-grade materials. The conduit selection at Ace features a wide variety of electrical conduit components to keep your installation's wiring tidily out of open reach and protected from accidental damage.
What is Electrical Conduit?
An electrical conduit works as a wire channel for electrical wiring, protecting it from the elements, animals and other everyday hazards. Depending on its intended use, you can find conduit for industrial, commercial and residential projects. It is designed in a tube shape and is either metallic or non-metallic, rigid, or flexible.
Metal Electrical Conduit
Made of steel or aluminum, a metallic electrical conduit is a highly durable conduit that is used in all manners of construction projects. As a result of their material makeup, they tend to be more expensive than non-metallic options. Types of metal conduits include:
- Rigid metal conduit, or RMC
- Galvanized rigid steel conduit, or GRC
- Intermediate metal conduit, or IMC
- Electrical metallic tubing, or EMT
While all are used, RMC and EMT are much more common than IMC or galvanized conduit.
Rigid Metal Conduit
Rigid metal conduit offers a heavy-duty combination of safety and strength and is widely used in industrial installations. It has a thick wall that is commonly made of steel, but can be made of aluminum, too. If you want a home electrical installation with unmatched durability and high-level safety, then this rigid conduit is worth considering, even at a slightly higher expense.
Electrical Metallic Tubing
Also known as EMT, electrical metallic tubing is less expensive than RMC but not as protective. However, it too can be steel or aluminum conduit. EMT is light, has thin walls, is easy to work with and highly versatile. It is commonly used in indoor residential and commercial applications but can be used outdoors as well.
Non-Metal Electric Conduit
Non-metallic electrical conduit is typically made of plastic like PVC. It is not as expensive as metallic conduit while still being highly durable. The two most common types of non-metal conduits are PVC conduit and electrical nonmetallic tubing, or ENT. Rigid nonmetallic conduit (RNC) and reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC) are also found but not as widely used.
Versatile PVC Conduit
PVC is the most common type of non-metallic conduit. It is very light, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive, especially compared to RMC. It is resistant to corrosion, great for installing underground and can also be embedded in concrete. You can find PVC conduit with different wall thickness levels to get the right one for the job at hand. This versatility in size and thickness makes it a great option for a variety of home, commercial and industrial jobs.
Flexible Conduit: Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing
Also known as ENT, this flexible conduit is a great choice if your project requires navigating corners or some level of flexibility from your wire channels. ENT is made from PVC, is easy to fit around bends and is used in walls, floors, and ceilings. It can be bent into shape without special tools and can be cut to the right specifications for your job.
Conduit Connectors and Other Accessories
Ace carries conduit connectors and accessories you need to install and maintain your electrical conduit pipe system, including rigid elbows, flexible elbows, male and female adapters, clamps and locks. You can also find liquid tight connector fittings to ensure dampness or moisture are sealed out. When you need a conduit component to complete that vital job, find it at Ace.
Stock up on the supplies you need for a home or commercial electrical installation. Browse our conduit range to find the right fit for your job, as well as boxes, box covers and other electrical accessories to finish your installation.
