Cable Channels

The cable duct is a general term that refers to all the different kinds of tubular ducts that provide a safe pathway to run multiple circuits together. The main function served by a duct is to enclose and secure the electrical wires inside it.

Besides the protection that ducts provide, they also make it much simpler and easier to add, remove or replace circuits. If you were to do any of these for a circuit that does not use a duct, it would take you a lot more time and effort than a circuit that uses a conduit. Often, you will have to use multiple types of conduits for the same wiring. This guide will help you to understand each type of conduit. Having a better understanding of them will help you choose the right type of conduit while shopping.

Different types of cable ducts

Conduit plays a key role in protecting the wiring and the house itself. Because the level of protection and flexibility demanded by each type of wiring differs depending on the situation, it is not surprising that these ducts come in so many varieties. There are rigid cable concealers, flexible cable concealers, metal ones, plastic ones, and other materials as well. The material required for indoor wiring is not the same as the material required for outdoor wiring. Here is a list of the four most common types of cable concealers that you will come across.

Rigid metal conduit

As you can make out from the name itself, these conduits are rigid, have thick walls, and are of metal. More often than not, this metal is going to be stainless steel. This type of conduit offers a raceway that offers superior protection against mechanical damage. If it is a situation that needs better rust resistance, this type of conduit will be hot-dipped galvanised. All of these conduits will have threads at both ends. Hence, you can add a couple at the end to make joints. If any normal overhead or underground wiring requires protection against physical damage, people always go for this type.

Flexible metal conduit

The Flexible Metallic Conduit is made with a long and narrow metal strip that is spirally wound to form a tube. Some people also refer to this type of conduit as metal flex or greenfield. A flexible metal conduit is an ideal option where you need both mechanical protection and also flexibility. Traditional straight conduits are not suitable for running wires through raceways with many bends and turns. Also, because FMCs are easy to connect together, it is simple to install even using the basic tools.

PVC conduit

This is not a single type of conduit. Rather, there are two types of PVC cable ducts. Schedule 40 conduits have a thinner wall configuration than Schedule 80. That means the inside diameter of schedule 40 conduits that are significantly wider. Schedule 40 is very popular in cases where you don’t need much mechanical protection. On the other hand, schedule 80 has a thicker wall configuration than Schedule 40 and, as a result, has an inside diameter that is significantly smaller. Since both Schedule 40 and Schedule 80’s have similar diameters, you can use the same fittings for both of these.

Electrical non-metallic tubing

Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) is a lightweight, corrugated raceway made of a material resistant to moisture and flame. ENT can be used in hidden areas, so it is a good option for wall, floor, and ceiling installation. It may also be used in open areas, but not where physical harm happens to the conduit. This is not immune to sunlight, and it is not ideal for direct burial. It is extremely simple to work with and easy to cut, and no special installation tools are required. For data cable installations, ENT is a very common alternative.