Wiring installations can be tricky, but having the right tools can make a difference. If you have several wires running through your property, placing cable conduits is the best way to keep them organised.
A flexible cable conduit is ideal for areas with multiple turns and bends. If you plan to install these systems, here are a few essential things to remember about flexible cable conduits.
How Does A Flexible Cable Conduit Work?
A flexible cable conduit is a durable tube-like structure that protects wiring in enclosed spaces. You would usually find them in water heaters or lighting networks. These systems are ideal where wiring needs to bend a lot or make several turns to reach a source.
Flexible cable conduits come in various materials, including metal, plastic or fibre. Regardless of what material you choose, flexible conduits can provide the same level of protection as rigid electrical conduits.
The purpose of a conduit is to protect wires from any hazards. You can also use them in unfinished or exposed indoor and outdoor settings. Cable conduits come in multiple sizes, shapes, materials and styles to fit various installations and demands.
With so many options, many electricians classify cable conduits according to their wall thickness, the type of material used and the mechanical stiffness.
All cable conduits should meet the national electricity requirements before installation to ensure the material works best for your wiring system.
Most cable conduit materials are chosen for their corrosion resistance, mechanical protection and overall cost of the installation process. This cost includes the labour and material prices.
A great thing about cable conduits is that they reduce the need for an electrical box or similar equipment. If you go for a metal conduit, you can carry out the function of a grounding wire without needing a separate component.
What Are The Best Flexible Cable Conduits?
Flexible conduits are integral to any construction, so choosing the right one is important. If you want to look through several high-quality options in one place, visit Meteor Electrical.
At Meteor, we strive to provide our customers with only the best electrical supplies; our conduits are no different. Here you can browse a wide range of flexible cable conduits made from durable materials to provide long-lasting service.
Here’s a look at some of the best options Meteor offers.
Cablecraft’s Betaflex 25mm Flexible PVC Conduit
For a durable PVC conduit with superior hazard protection, choose Cablecraft’s Beteflex conduit. These high-quality conduits are designed to work well in almost any location due to their excellent protective properties.
Cablecraft has designed its PVC conduits to be self-extinguishing and halogen-free to remove toxins over prolonged use. These incredible qualities make Betaflex an ideal option for residential and industrial properties.
Decoduct 32mm Flexible PVC conduit
This Decoduct 32mm PVC is a great option if you're looking for flexible conduit systems. Manufactured with a high-quality PVC coating, this system can work well in multiple installations, whether they are outdoors or indoors.
The 32mm diameter of this conduit is ideal for larger wiring needs. It provides ample space for multiple cables or larger diameter wires to be routed through, making it a versatile solution for various electrical applications.
The flexible design of the conduit allows it to be easily bent and manipulated to fit around corners and through tight spaces. This conduit is rated for use in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 60°C, making it suitable for use in various environments.
PVC conduits are UV stabilised, providing additional protection against the harmful effects of sunlight and ensuring they will not degrade over time.
Deligo Steel Flexible Cable Conduit
If you want a conduit with a stronger protective coating, the Deligo Steel Flexible Conduit is an ideal choice. This conduit system is incredibly versatile, working in dynamic and static applications.
Despite its mechanical strength, the conduit maintains flexibility for easier installation. The Galvanised steel exterior gives the conduit superior protective qualities. This extends the lifespan of your tubing without the need for extra maintenance.
What Are The Benefits of Using A Flexible Cable Conduit?
Many electricians opt for flexible cable conduits in residential and commercial applications since they’re incredibly versatile. They are easy to handle and bend according to wiring needs. Here are some other great advantages of flexible conduits.
Long lifespan with minimal need for maintenance
Easy to install and place
Provides efficient protection against corrosion, moisture, impact and hazardous chemicals
Make it easy to bend and make turns with wiring.
Available in various sizes and materials to fit every design need.
These conduits protect against electrical fires and explosions. Some flexible conduits have a self-extinguishing quality for more protection.
They can work well in hot and cold temperature areas.
In addition, flexible cable conduits can also be placed underground or in concrete. If you opt for a flexible metal option, your wiring will be free from electromagnetic sensitivity.
Furthermore, some conduit sheathing is also resistant to radiation and oil leakage. This coating also comes in various colours to make organisation easy.
What Are The Different Types Of Flexible Cable Conduits?
As mentioned before, cable conduits come in various styles and materials built for specific demands. Here are some of the most popular types of cable conduits.
Flexible Metal Conduit (FMT)
FMT conduits have a spiral shape, making it easy to bend the conduit and simplifying installation. With this shape, you can add FMTs to walls and other structures.
Flexible metal tubing is commonly used in exposed areas with a short run. For example, you would usually place them in water heaters. These conduits are often called liquid-tight metal conduits, depending on the outer sheath.
The liquid-tight version has a plastic outer sheath which makes it watertight. LFMCs are best used for outdoor wiring, air conditioning units, and other such equipment.
Electrical Non-Metallic Conduit (ENT)
The electrical non-metallic conduit is great if you’re looking for a more flexible option. This conduit is made from pliable plastic tubing designed for placement in residential walls and concrete structures.
The ENT provides excellent protection against fire and moisture to keep all your wiring space. Despite these qualities, they are unsuitable for installation in exposed locations or any outdoor space where they might experience other elements. If you’re placing these conduits, use glued fittings.
Non-Metalic Liquid-Tight Flexible Conduit (NLFC)
NLFC is typically used in place of a liquid-tight metal conduit. This conduit has a flexible PVC coating embedded into the rigid PVC enforcements. Even though this conduit can bend, it still offers a watertight build and structure.
Non-Metallic LF conduits provide moderate protection in dry, wet or oily settings. In addition, they also have flame-resistant properties. These conduits are highly durable and are ideal for indoor and outdoor installation in commercial and industrial settings.
You can also place them in moisture-heavy places such as pools and HVAC systems. You can opt for liquid-tight flexible conduits made from polyamide instead of PVC for even more protection.
These provide resistance against acid, oil, benzine, flames and other solvents. Polyamide conduits can also self-extinguish, making them suitable for demanding installations.
Fibre Optic Conduits
Fibre optic conduits surround and protect the individual wires in a fibre optic cable. These conduits offer high-quality protection for important network communication cables.
Fibre optic conduits can also work well in various locations, including underground settings with corrosive soil, accidental excavation and temperature changes. This conduit system is typically designed with steel or another tough metal and may occasionally incorporate fibreglass braiding or PVC.
Since fibre optic cables transmit digital signals, these conduits are designed to withstand high-voltage shock hazards.
What Are Conduit Fittings, And How Do They Work?
Some flexible conduits often need clips and straps for additional connection and support. These are also important for attaching to junction boxes and other such components.
Conduit fittings are crucial to keep your system in place and maintain functionality. These come in various sizes, shapes and materials depending on your needs. The primary function of a fitting is to connect conduit ends to electrical devices, enclosures or boxes.
The main fittings are necessary for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between the conduit and the electrical box. Other conduit fittings, such as clips and clamps, are vital for supporting conduits and keeping them secure.
It’s best to install specific types of fittings based on the system’s exposure to vapours, moisture or hazardous conditions. Here are a few of the most important conduit fittings.
Conduit Bodies
Conduit bodies have a tubular structure with openings at both ends, so you can easily place the conduit in them. These fittings come in various sizes and designs to create seamless bends and connections in the system.
Since these fittings perform various functions, they come with labels to help you identify the right one.
Conduit Clips
If there are any long runs of conduits and tubing, you need to add more support to keep them from sagging or breaking.
Conduit clips and clamps mount on walls or ceilings using a bolt or screw. Check regulatory and safety codes, as this will tell you the right size and dimension for the conduit fitting.
Conduit Couplings
Conduit couplings are essential to combine multiple conduits to create a seamless network. Even though PVC tubing has a belled site that can be linked without a coupling, you still need to use these fittings in sections where the conduit has been cut.
As with other fittings, conduit couplings are also available in various sizes, some featuring internal threading.
Finding The Best Conduit Fittings
Once you’ve chosen the ideal conduit, you can browse through Meteor to find the appropriate fitting. At Meteor, we all carry various conduit fittings to help you create an integrated tubing system. These additional electrical supplies ensure fluid connectivity throughout your wiring system.
A well-made supply of conduit clips is essential to purchase a conduit system. Unicrimp’s range of conduit clips features white cable clips for 22 - 26mm round fixtures. These conduit clips are made from high-grade Polyethylene, which works well for low-temperature flexibility.
Without proper nail clips, your wiring is at a higher risk of damage. Unicrimp’s nail in clips will keep your wiring organised and secure from any hazard that could damage the cable’s coating. You can also find nail clips in various sizes to fit any kind of installation.
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