Wrap Up Your Wires with the Correct Electrical Conduit

Electrical conduit is the perfect option when you need to wrangle long electrical wires or cables, or even add some electrical hookups to outdoor entertainment spaces. Different types of conduit have different features and functions. Some will even require a certified electrician to safely install them. But even if you’re a weekend DIY-er, knowing your conduit options can help you plan for a new construction or upgrade project within your budget and skill level.

Electrical conduits have two main functions: to group and protect wires so that they don’t get damaged and to protect inhabitants from harm from electrical current.

A conduit is typically a round tube that is bent or cut to fit inside a structure’s walls or buried underground. Wires are threaded through the conduit to easily group them. It also helps send wires through tight spaces, like behind wall framing.

Conduit makes it easy to upgrade electrical options by running new wires or cables, such as high-speed internet or fiber-optic cable, through existing construction. Or you can use conduit that is specially designed to withstand weather and temperature swings to run electricity outside to power entertainment spaces, water features, lighting, and more.

Different types of electrical conduit have different uses and purposes. They might aim to protect wires from moisture or to keep them from accidental damage in a structure or below ground. Conduit could also simply be a way of hiding unsightly wires or to wrangle a lot of cables into some semblance of order.

When considering electrical conduit, you should become familiar with the National Electrical Code (or NEC, for short). The NEC maintains many regulations for installing and working with conduit to keep everyone safe. Regulations are created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for safe electrical installation.

These requirements include conduit burial depth, how much space wiring can take up within a conduit, and more. Any new construction will be needed to meet NEC requirements, but some upgrades or renovations may need to also meet NEC rules. Check with your local government for any local codes when planning your project. And some types of projects will require installation or signoff by a licensed electrician, so check before you get started!

If you have a simple conduit project planned that you can handle yourself, start by gathering materials at McCoy’s. You can speak to our experts about your plans, and they can help guide you to the right kind of conduit and tools to make your project a success. For example, some conduits can only be cut or bent using special tools. Others are able to easily be manipulated by hand, with an application of heat, or with a tool called a “conduit bender” which needs to be sized in relation to the diameter of the conduit you are using.

If you need to bury conduit, such as in an outdoor setting, you may also need tools to dig appropriate-depth trenches. A trenching spade or shovel can be an easy hand tool to get started. You can also use a mechanical trencher, which can be helpful when you need to reach deeper depths. As always, call your local utility company to inspect your area before you dig, to avoid costly or dangerous mistakes when digging.

Here’s a simple conduit material breakdown. While there are many types of conduits, they all fall into two main categories: Metal conduit and Non-metal conduit. Within these, there are two subcategories: Rigid and Flexible. They’re frequently referenced by their acronyms for short.

Metal conduit includes the following types:

• Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) - Made of heavyweight galvanized steel with threaded fittings. It can also be made of lighter aluminum with an anti-corrosion coating. Pros = strength. Cons = cost (it’s one of the most expensive).
• Galvanized Rigid Steel (GRC) - Made of steel and typically rated to be used in outdoor applications, it’s frequently used in commercial buildings. Pros = good impact resistance and UV-protection as well as good protection against electromagnetic interference. Cons = It can be expensive to install, heavy, and could have problems where wires and conduit weld together.
• Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) - Has thick, galvanized walls and can be used outdoors or indoors in a variety of applications. Pros = lighter than GRC and approved for all indoor applications. Its thinner walls can fit more wiring. Cons = are susceptible to kinking and only go up to 4-inch diameters so is smaller than other conduit options.
• Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) - Typically unthreaded, this type comes in coated steel (or sometimes aluminum) to be used in place of GRC in both commercial and residential applications. Pros = Can be cut or bent with tools and can be used in some concrete. Cons = Cannot be used where it could have physical damage, as its thin walls can be easily punctured.

Non-metal conduit includes the following types:

• PVC Conduit - One of the most popular types of conduits. A ground wire should always be used with PVC conduit. Pros = lightweight and versatile choice for many applications. Comes in a variety of wall thicknesses. Can be used in concrete or underground projects. Cons = Should not be used in areas with UV exposure as sunlight can break down the material over time.
• Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) - Thin-walled, this very flexible type of conduit is typically corrugated and can be used inside walls or in concrete blocks. Pros = Can be bent by hand (no tools or heat needed) and is flame retardant (not fire rated). Cons = Easily spotted “blue ENT” can only be used in indoor applications (not exposed areas). Other types of ENT can be used outdoors and are watertight, light, and non-corrosive.

Keep your power running smoothly with the right conduit for your project. Whether you’re bringing electricity to an outside hangout or adding electrical upgrades like new appliances that require 220v power, McCoy’s experts can help guide you every step of the way.