The use of electrical conduit is practical for routing and protecting electrical wiring. It comes in a variety of materials, such as fired clay, fiber, plastic and metal. Also, the conduit is either rigid or flexible. For the most effective installation, it is important to use the correct size that offers enough space for the wires that run through it.
Here are a few of the differences of working with or without the electrical conduit:
Wiring with Conduit
A major benefit of using the electrical conduit throughout the home is the ability to give greater protection to the wiring. The fired clay, fiber, plastic or metal material used to manufacture the sleeve is strong and durable, and has the potential to last for a very long time.
By using the conduit it is a lot easier to renovate or replace existing applications that were installed in a building. Plus, the process of passing wires through a smooth sleeve is a much easier process compared to working with random sized holes cut into the walls.
Also, in the event of a short of the wiring, it is a lot more straightforward to find and repair the defective wire when it is concealed and kept together in a conduit, especially if the installing took place behind a wall or underground.
Installing wiring without conduits
Even though the conduit can give the extra protection for the wiring, it does have its limits, and isn’t a practical choice for every installation. A common issue relates to the small space that requires the wiring to go around a bend. While it is possible to use the flexible conduit this isn’t always able to fit the tight areas. Also, in the small space the size or width of the conduit will need to be quite small and the reduced size and volume may not provide enough room for the various wires to fit. In situations like these it may be more practical to install the wiring without the use of conduit.
The use of conduit will increase the overall cost and time of installing the wiring in the home. If the rigid sleeve is being used and it needs to be bent it will be necessary to use an expensive piece of equipment to achieve the required bent angel. Also, greater care needs to be taken throughout the installation process, with extra care taken to avoid getting cut on any piece of conduit that has been cut.