If you need electric metallic tube (EMT) conduit, American Conduit should be your #1 source. Our aluminum products install faster than steel conduit, conform to all industry safety standards, and will do a fantastic job of protecting your electrical components from not only moisture, but also chemicals. We have more than 30 years of experience in producing aluminum EMT, and we have a wide variety of lengths and diameters available.
Metal Conduit – The Basics
EMT made of aluminum is used on a regular basis in many different types of industrial, as well as commercial, applications. It’s extremely easy to cut as well as bend – much easier than steel – and can be used indoors as well as outdoors. This thin-walled, non-threaded form of tubing protects wiring from chemicals and moisture. It can also protect wiring from insects or other pests that could potentially chew through it.
These are just a few of the features of aluminum EMT that makes it the far better choice than steel.
- Aluminum will always be safe to handle, regardless of how hot or cold the temperatures may get. If the weather gets extremely cold, the aluminum alloys we use will actually make your EMT even stronger.
- Speaking of strength, aluminum is similar in strength to steel but much lighter – in fact, it’s only one-third the weight of steel. As a result, it’s much easier to handle. A typical 10-foot length of 4-inch diameter steel conduit will weigh right at 100 pounds. It would take at least two workers to carry and install. The same length and diameter of aluminum, on the other hand, will weigh about 35 pounds.
- Steel is susceptible to degradation over time due to rust and corrosion. The only way it won’t degrade will be if it has a special zinc coating applied. Aluminum doesn’t need any sort of special coating, and it won’t get discolored over time – no matter how long it’s been exposed to the outside elements. If you have an environment where your conduit will be exposed to chemicals or water, aluminum will be the far better choice.
- Safety is always Priority One in any work setting. This is yet another area where aluminum beats steel. When you use steel conduit, it can emit sparks. This can be incredibly dangerous in certain volatile environments. Aluminum, on the other hand, does not spark.
- Because aluminum is so much lighter than steel, that can save you thousands of dollars on your conduit purchase and installation. We’ve seen several examples of customers whose savings have reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars – simply because they chose aluminum over steel.
- Aluminum is also incredibly friendly to the environment. You can use it time and time again and it won’t lose its strength or any of its other characteristics.
Contact American Conduit to Learn More
At American Conduit, we want to be the ones you turn to first whenever you need electric metallic tube (EMT) conduit. As a product brand of Hydro – the world’s largest aluminum extruder – we have nearly 1 million pounds of ready-to-ship aluminum conduit in stock at all times. When you purchase from us, you can rest assured we’ll not only have what you need, we’ll also be able to get it to you when you need it. Call 1-800-334-6824 or contact us online for more information or to receive a quote.