What is a Conduit System? Understanding the Basics

What is a Conduit System? Understanding the Basics

Electrical wires are often exposed to wear or weather where they are installed. The US National Electrical Code (NEC) lists protective options. Conduit systems have been developed to durably protect wiring in industrial and commercial applications. What is a conduit system, which kinds of electrical conduit are available, and what will help you choose an effective solution?

At Anamet Electrical, we’re proud to offer a wide range of electrical conduit systems, including flexible plastic conduit, metal conduit and more. We also provide assembly and cut length options for rapid installation of conduit. What is a conduit system? Here is some information to help you.

What is a Conduit System?

Since electricity developed as an industrial and household power option, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) provided guidance about safe equipment and installation. Bare wire was unsafe, so rigid and flexible tube was invented to protect wiring. World War II naval and aircraft applications for electric power demanded lighter weight, flexible protection for wiring. ANACONDA factories met the demand for liquid tight conduit and shielding conduit, producing at least 2 million feet per month.

After the war, ANACONDA SEALTITE® was the first liquid tight, flexible metal conduit approved for commercial use. Although there are a variety of flexible and rigid tube options for protecting wire where it must be installed, since 1952 SEALTITE® has been installed worldwide to protect electrical wiring. Liquid tight fittings were developed for end to end protection.

A conduit system is liquid tight fittings on liquid tight conduit, keeping water and dust away from wiring.

Three main conduit system options are available from ANAMET Electrical:

• Liquid tight, flexible, metal conduit and liquid tight fittings
• Liquid tight, flexible, non-metallic conduit and liquid tight fittings
• Food Grade liquid tight, flexible, metal conduit and liquid tight fittings

ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit is available in Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) listed and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved options. All SEALTITE® fittings are Canadian and US UL listed.

In our conduit system, conduit is tested (with fittings installed) to consistently provide a liquid tight seal. For a safety inspector, the UL and CSA symbols show that an independent authority inspects production and marking of these products.

• Conduit and fittings conform to standards that make conduit and fittings interchangeable.
• Trade sizes are consistent so that conduit and fittings fit junction boxes and knockout holes.
• Threaded fasteners compress seals for long term sealing of wiring runs.
• Threaded fasteners allow terminations to be tightened to UL and CSA torque requirements.
• Threaded fasteners allow connections to be opened for inspection, maintenance or upgrade.

ANAMET Electrical Support for Conduit Cutting and Fitting Installation

• LFMC, liquid tight flexible metal conduit and fittings Instructions Video
• LFNC Type A, liquid tight flexible non-metallic conduit and fittings Instructions Video
• Food Grade LFMC, liquid tight, flexible, metal conduit and fittings Instructions Video
• MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) Assembly of SHIELDTITE® MIL and AISI 316 fittings Instructions Video

Benefits of Using Electrical Conduit Systems

There are several advantages in using a SEALTITE electrical conduit system:

• Protection: The design and testing of ANACONDA SEALTITE® with SEALTITE® fittings make protection consistent.
  • Conduit and fittings protect wiring to the highest NEC level allowed for flexible conduit, Class I Division 2 Hazardous Locations.
  • The primary purpose of conduit is wiring protection and SEALTITE® products reliably protect wiring worldwide.
• Organization:
  • ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit is available in a variety of colors, meeting UL and CSA safety requirements.
  • Conduit is available in larger Trade sizes that allow later upgrade of wiring.
  • Threaded fittings allow junctions to be opened for inspection and maintenance.
  • Some SEALTITE® fittings are available in compact 45-degree elbow, 90-degree elbow or straight configurations.
  • The swept bore of SEALTITE® elbow fittings avoids difficulties in snaking wire through the fittings.
• Flexibility: If you need reliable options, ANACONDA SEALTITE® offers reliable solutions.
  • UL listed ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit with straight fittings are approved for Direct Burial and in concrete, allowing for transition from exposed conduit to trench placement.
  • The bend radius of SEALTITE® conduit allows for wiring to be routed around obstacles or to be buried with confidence that wiring will be protected from earth movement, crushing force or water intrusion.
  • SEALTITE® fittings are Halogen Free and when installed on Type ZHUA (Zero Halogen, UL listed) conduit, the system is suitable for confined spaces where toxic Halogen gas must be avoided.
  • UL listed ANACONDA SEALTITE® is approved for installation under raised floors, supporting electrical safety in data network and server installations. Type CW (computer wiring) is blue to denote information technology wiring runs.
  • Type HTUA conduit is UL listed and CSA approved for extreme temperature conditions.
  • SEALTITE® fittings in 45-degree and 90-degre elbow configurations enable wiring to be connected to junction boxes with inherent strain relief. Wiring and conduit may have a drip loop by a junction box to prevent liquid intrusion to the box exposed to rain or water spray.
• Compliance: Industrial and commercial applications demand stringent safety standards.
  • Building codes in the USA and Canada demand approved conduit and fittings. ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit systems are tested and approved for installation.
  • National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and FDA requirements call for Food Grade conduit and fittings to protect wiring from frequent washdown and decontamination. ANACONDA SEALTITE® Food Grade conduit systems are available in a variety of options for food non-contact and splash rated conditions.

Tips for Selecting and Installing Electrical Conduit

When using an electrical conduit system, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind:

• Trade Size: Make sure to select the right size conduit for your wire.
  • Match junction box knockout hole size with the conduit and fittings that meet the diameter of the wiring and cable bundle being installed.
  • Refer to the NEC standard for fill volume so wires do not fill more than 30% of the conduit volume (See NFPA 70 2023 NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 depending on the number of conducting wires in the conduit) for easier bending and maintenance of the electrical system.
  • Allow room inside conduit, especially for wiring in trenches or in Direct Burial so that putting wiring in installed conduit does not hinder project completion.
• Select Conduit for Bending: If conduit is subject to frequent bending, consider using Type CNP non-metallic conduit. It has a great reputation for bouncing back from impact and standing up to frequent bending and flexing. Type CNP has been installed in factories worldwide to protect machine and sensor wiring on the factory floor.
• Secure Connections: Make sure the conduit and fittings are clean and dry before assembly. Tighten fittings to UL and CSA torque requirements. This approach ensures a liquid and dust tight connection.
• Inspection: Make sure the conduit and fittings meet local safety regulations.
  • UL listed and CSA approved conduit and fittings enable safety inspector confidence while approving electrical installations.
  • Food Grade conduit and fittings are frequently used in food and pharmaceutical factories, so safety inspectors look for the NSF marking.

Trust Anamet Electrical for Your Conduit Needs

ANAMET Electrical offers a range of reliable electrical conduit systems to meet your needs. Where you need flexible non-metallic conduit, liquid tight flexible metal conduit or other flexible wiring protection solutions, we can meet your needs. Our team is experienced and knowledgeable in flexible wiring protection.

Contact us today to learn more about available options. We can help you safely and flexibly protect your electrical wiring.

What Flexible Conduit Is Allowed In Hazardous Locations?

Hazardous Locations are areas that expose flammable material to possible ignition. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes NFPA 70, the (US) National Electrical Code (NEC) defining Hazardous Locations.

Can flexible liquid tight conduit systems meet safety requirements for NEC Hazardous Locations? Yes, within the limit of Class I Division 2.

Today, Class I Division 1 Hazardous Location regulations (NEC Article 501) only allow rigid conduit or liquid tight cable or wiring to be installed. No flexible liquid tight conduit should be installed in Class I Division 1 Hazardous Locations.

We’re proud to offer a range of ANACONDA SEALTITE® electrical conduit systems to connect and protect wiring where combustible materials must be safely handled.

What Are Hazardous Locations?

In NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC), hazardous locations are defined as “where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust or ignitable fibers or flyings.”

Hazardous Locations are areas where the presence of material could create a fire, explosion or other safety issues for electrical components and those working with them. In these settings, it’s essential to take precautions to make sure that electrical wiring, conduit and fittings are properly connected to avoid risk.

Different Classes of Hazardous Location

NEC (NFPA 70 2023) divides hazardous locations among three classes:

• Class I (Class I in NEC Article 501): This class is dedicated to locations in which inflammable gases or vapors may be present in large enough quantities to raise risks of explosion or other flammable mixtures. It is split into Division 1 and Division 2; the former refers to locations where hazardous atmosphere might be present during normal operations, while the latter speaks to locations where volatile flammable liquids or gases are handled, processed or used (these will typically be confined to closed containers or systems).
• Class II (Class II in NEC Article 502): Class II hazardous locations are marked as such due to the presence of combustible dust. This class is also split into two divisions: Division 1 includes areas where combustible dust may be in suspension in the air under normal conditions in large enough quantities to create explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where equipment malfunction may cause a hazardous location to exist due to creating an ignition source; Division 2 is for locations where combustible dust will not normally be seen in suspension, but where accumulation may interfere with heat dissipation from electrical equipment.
• Class III (Class III in NEC Article 503): Class III hazardous locations are those where the presence of easily ignitable fibers of flyings are present, in high enough quantities to produce ignitable mixtures. Class III Division 1 is where easily ignitable fibers or materials producing combustible flyings are handled or manufactured, while Division 2 is where easily ignitable fibers are stored or handled.

Why Use Flexible Conduit Systems in Hazardous Locations?

ANACONDA SEALTITE® flexible liquid tight conduit systems provide a flexible solution that can save time and labor in installation and maintenance. The liquid tight jacket and fitting seals of the system are a reliable barrier between electrical components and the volatile substances in the environment. Liquid tight conduit systems prevent sparks or hot wiring from igniting flammable material.

• In addition to providing a safety barrier, conduit and fittings are corrosion, oil and flame resistant.
•  The conduit systems are suitable for protecting wiring in harsh environments where frequent maintenance may not be feasible.
• Liquid tight seals keep out corrosive atmosphere, spray and dirt to protect critical electrical connections from corrosion

ANACONDA SEALTITE® conduit systems are approved for installation in Class I Division 2, Class II and Class III Hazardous Locations. Look for the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) mark on our conduit and the cULus mark on SEALTITE® fittings that show compliance with safety standards.

When approved conduit is installed with liquid tight SEALTITE® fittings, the IP (ingress protection) rating for the seal is 66 to 67. The conduit and fittings keep out dust and water spray.

Five UL listed conduit system options can be installed in a variety of Hazardous Locations.

• Halogen Free conduit (Type ZHUA and SS-ZHUA) and fittings are suitable for installation in confined spaces, tunnels and under raised floors.
• High temperature conduit (Type HTUA and SS-HTUA) are suitable for locations with a wide operating temperature range from below freezing to beyond the boiling point of water.
• Ant-Static conduit (Type ASUA) and fittings are suitable for locations where airborne dust may be a hazard.
• Food Grade (Type FGUA) and Food Grade AISI-316 fittings are suitable for installation in food and pharmaceutical production areas.
• Non-metallic (Type CNP) conduit and Type A Nickel-Plated Brass fittings are suitable for applications of frequent bending and need to bounce back from impact.

Anamet Electrical Extends Wiring Protection Options

When you need to flexibly protect wiring, specify ANACONDA SEALTITE conduit systems.

• Hazardous Location conduit fittings
• Flexible conduit for Hazardous Locations
• Flexible Conduit Systems for NEC Class I Division 2 Hazardous Locations

Anamet Electrical extends its services and product lines to meet and exceed customers’ expectations. You benefit from over 100 years of experience in flexible wiring protection in all applications.

Contact us today if you need to flexibly connect and protect wiring in Hazardous Locations.

What Are MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) Conduit Assemblies?

MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) conduit assemblies are approved for US Navy outdoor installations, protecting wiring from seagoing or weather exposure conditions.

SHIELDTITE® MIL assemblies meet rigorous requirements for protecting wiring.

These assemblies meet the following standards:

• MIL-STD-167/1, MILITARY STANDARD: MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF SHIPBOARD EQUIPMENT (TYPE I-ENVIRONMENTAL)
• MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) when connected using SEALTITE® AISI-316 Halogen Free fittings
• MIL-STD-1310H providing shielding effectiveness of 81 dB-119 dB at 1 kHz to 1 GHz
• Halogen Free conduit and fittings
• RoHS

For more information see SHIELDTITE® MIL- MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) Shielding, Zero Halogen, Liquid Tight, Flexible, Metal Conduit (LFMC) Assembly.

For instructions on cutting conduit and installing fittings for a MIL-PRF-24758A(SH) Assembly with SHIELDTITE® MIL and AISI 316 fittings Instructions Video