Flexible Options Electrical Installations , Several Choices In 1947, Sealtite was made by the Anaconda Company of Electrical Installations. Sealtite is said as “seal-tight.” Because of this, there aren’t many changes between conduits that keep out liquids and those that keep out air. Instead, they both mean the same thing and are used to describe the same type of pipe. So, you can use “light-tight” and “seal-tight” equally without getting in trouble. Even so, seal-tight or liquid-tight lines can be used in any project, from nuclear power plants to something as simple as the air conditioner whip.
The liquid-tight conduit is made up of a flexible metal core wrapped with a coating that doesn’t let water in. Electrical designs are made up of steel cores that can’t be crushed and have smooth bores for easy wire fishing. The heart is covered with PVC to protect it from wear, water, and dirt. Liquid-tight pipe with low smoke and low risk can be bought by transit agencies.
Water can’t get in if it can’t get out of metal tubes. Conductors that need to be kept dry are a good fit for flexible options electrical installations. Liquid-tight tubing is needed to install wires in places that are damp and shaken by machines. The PVC lining on an aluminum strip rolled into a tube makes it waterproof. PVC can be used to cover any line.
Seal Tight Conduit Vs Liquid Tight: When to Use Liquid-Tight Conduit
- In Wet and Moist Environments
Liquid-tight conduits were made so that water or other liquids couldn’t get on wires and connections. It works best in places that are warm, damp, or wet.
Liquid-tight lines are needed in places like places that deal with water, places that process food and drinks, and car washes.
When used correctly, a liquid-tight conduit keeps customers and employees safe, extends the life of wires, and stops electrical problems.
- When Cables Are Exposed to Corrosive Elements
Liquid-tight conduit is the best option for areas where corrosive substances are highly prevalent. It keeps out dangerous elements that might damage wires and cables.
That makes it advantageous to use liquid-tight conduits in HVAC systems, chemical plants, and other places that produce corrosive chemicals.
- Exterior Uses
Any electrical system that is open to the environment is highly prone to damages. Ultraviolet light and other external factors can inflict breakage and harm to the electrical installations.
To extend the life of cables and avoid damage, a liquid-tight conduit shields them from the sun, high temperatures, moisture, and other detrimental factors.
- Dirty and Dusty Areas
Dirt, dust, and other small particles on power line wires can cause short circuits and device malfunctions.
A sealed, liquid-tight conduit offers protection against dust and particle penetration for agricultural industries, textile factories, wood/paper mills, and more.
Types of Electrical Conduit
Flexible lines are a must when flexible options electrical installations comes to an electrical system in a safe and effective way. Even though stiff conduits are more common than their flexible counterparts, flexible conduits can be useful sometimes, especially when routing wires around bends and curves.
Flexible lines can handle water, don’t rust, and can’t catch on fire. Here are some different types of conduit to think about for your next job.
Flexible Metal Conduit—FMC and LFMC
Greenfield metal conduit is flexible. FMC’s helical shape allows movement through the building. In dry interiors, standard FMC is used for short distances between fixed equipment or wall boxes. Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit is unique. Its plastic coating and sealed fittings waterproof it. Air conditioners and other outdoor machines work well with LFMC.
The flexibility of flexible metal conduit is a bonus. Flexible metal conduit bends more readily than rigid conduit, making it a good choice for instances where it would be too challenging to install.
Rigid PVC Conduit
Plastic plumbing pipe and fittings are like stiff polyvinyl chloride. It can be twisted after heater box heating, thankfully.
Bonded PVC conduit tubing and fittings are waterproof and ideal for immediate burial. In corrosive circumstances, PVC conduit works.
Rigid Metal Conduit—RMC and IMC
Threaded fittings are used to put in galvanized steel tube RMC. This is used outside to cover electrical wires and panels and hold them up. The lengths of RMC threaded pieces are 10 and 20 feet.
Rigid metal conduit, or RMC, is not allowed until it is replaced by IMC, which is lighter and thinner. IMC is used more and more in building projects today because it is lighter and easier to move around.
Electrical Metallic Tubing—EMT
Galvanized steel or aluminum is used to make electrical metal tubes. Another hard pipe used to carry electricity. Since EMT is lighter and thinner than RMC, it has a thin-wall. Even though it is stiff, a conduit bender may be able to make it bendable.
Compression or set screws are used to hold EMT joints and fittings together. Like RMC and IMC, the tube is not holed. Most EMT sizes are 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. Most of the time, they are used to cover visible wires inside homes and businesses. In open places, EMT should have connections that keep water out.
Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing—ENT
Electrical non-metallic tubing is flame- and moisture-resistant corrugated plastic. It bends easily and has snap-lock or plastic adhesive fittings.
Non-metallic tubing shares the same restriction on exposure as EMT. Therefore, it is usually enclosed by walls. Concrete blocks and coatings of concrete, wood, or metal can be used to support ENT.
The blue “smurf tube” ENT conduit is popular due to the Smurf cartoon characters.