Electrical Conduits and Fittings

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of an electrical conduit?

To reduce the number of electrical wires in an installation

To shield electrical wires from harm in exposed locations (correct)

To connect electrical devices directly to the power source

To increase the voltage of electrical wires

What type of electrical conduit is suitable for providing protection against impacts and significant damage?

Rigid metal conduit (correct)

Electrical non-metallic tubing

Rigid PVC conduit

Flexible metal conduit

What is the main advantage of using rigid metal conduits with thick walls?

To shield the cables from electromagnetic interference (correct)

To increase the flexibility of the conduit

To increase the current-carrying capacity of the wires

To reduce the cost of the conduit

What is the purpose of galvanizing or coating RMCs with PVC?

To stop corrosion from water or other chemicals Signup and view all the answers

How many types of electrical conduits are commonly used?

7 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a non-metal conduit?

Rigid PVC conduit Signup and view all the answers

What is used to attach the conduit to the main tubes in a Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) system?

Screw connectors Signup and view all the answers

Why is it a good practice to use wiring with a grounding wire when using a Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)?

To provide additional protection against electrical shock Signup and view all the answers

What is the most widely used variety of RMC?

Galvanized rigid conduit Signup and view all the answers

In what situations is aluminum with a PVC coating effective?

In situations where steel can be corroded by chemical vapors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of rigid steel coated with PVC?

It is resistant to corrosion from moisture, acids, alkalis, grease, and oils Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to ensure the fittings used for an RMC are made of the same metal?

To prevent galvanic corrosion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of standard FMC?

In dry areas where it would be impractical to install a non-flexible conduit Signup and view all the answers

What makes IMC a popular choice in the construction industry?

It is less expensive and easier to handle Signup and view all the answers

What makes LFMC resistant to corrosion?

Its plastic covering and sealed fittings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between IMC and RMC?

IMC is lighter and thinner than RMC Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is an Electrical Conduit?

An electrical conduit is a metallic or plastic pipe used to route electrical wires within an installation and shield them from harm when they are in an exposed location.

Types of Electrical Conduits

There are seven common types of electrical conduits, divided into metal conduits and non-metal conduits.

Metal Conduits

Rigid metal conduit (RMC): thick-walled, threaded, and usually composed of coated steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.
Flexible metal conduit (FMC): a hollow tube created by coiling self-interlocking steel or aluminum strips.
Intermediate metal conduit (IMC): a thinner and lighter variant of RMC, still applicable in RMC-like situations.
Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC): a unique type of flexible metal conduit with plastic covering and sealed fittings, waterproof and resistant to corrosion.
Electrical metallic tubing (EMT): no details provided in the text.

Non-Metal Conduits

Rigid PVC conduit: no details provided in the text.
Electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT): no details provided in the text.

Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

Attached to main tubes using screw connectors.
Provides protection against impacts and significant damage due to its sturdy design.
Can be used as a grounding conductor in short-run applications.
Shields cables from electromagnetic interference due to its thick walls.
Coated with PVC to prevent corrosion from water or other chemicals.
Galvanized rigid conduit is the most widely used variety of RMC, suitable for commercial and industrial facilities.
Aluminum with a PVC coating is suitable for situations where steel can be corroded by chemical vapors.
Bronze alloy is effective in underwater, coastal regions, chemical facilities, and oil refineries.
Rigid steel coated with PVC is resistant to corrosion from moisture, acids, alkalis, grease, and oils.

Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)

Offered in decreased wall thickness or normal wall thickness.
Extra-flexible FMC is available for narrower radii, but must be UL certified.
Frequently used in dry areas where it would be impractical to install a non-flexible conduit.
Used in installations where it is desired to prevent vibrations from machinery from penetrating into another structure.

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Description

Learn about electrical conduits, their uses, and components. Electrical conduits are pipes that route and shield wires in exposed locations such as exterior walls and outdoor spaces.