There are a lot of different electrical conduit types, and that can make it difficult to determine which one is the best choice for your specific application. Your best bet is to talk to an expert with American Conduit. We’re staffed with professionals who know exactly what type of conduit is best suited for whatever your needs may be. We also have an incredible inventory of aluminum conduit in a wide range of diameters, so we can always take care of you.
About American Conduit
Companies across the globe – and in a vast range of industries – rely on electrical conduit. It’s a sort of tunnel, commonly referred to as a “raceway,” that protects wiring and cabling protected from impact and the elements.
For years, American Conduit has been recognized as the leader in aluminum conduit. A major reason why is that we’re a brand of the largest extruder of aluminum in the world, Hydro. This gives us a nearly unlimited supply of conduit – at any one time, we’ll have about a million pounds in stock. In addition, we have distributors and warehouses all over the country. As a result, we’ll be able to quickly and efficiently deliver the conduit you need, when you need it.
We carry electrical metallic tubing (EMT) as well as rigid metal conduit (RMC). Here’s a look at how these two types of conduit compare.
EMT
EMT might be referred to as “tubing” from a technical standpoint, but it’s really conduit. EMT’s thin, unthreaded walls make it a perfect choice for indoor applications. The reason is that EMT is very easy to bend and cut, and extremely lightweight. Sections of EMT use clamps as connectors, and setscrews keep the clamps securely in place.
EMT is designed primarily for indoor use, but it can, in some instances, be used outside. While EMT is durable, the clamps and setscrews need to be made of non-corrosive materials.
RMC
RMC is a type of conduit typically used for more rugged applications, because it’s much thicker than EMT. One of the reasons RMC is very popular is that it helps block electromagnetic interference that can affect sensitive electronics.
The Reasons to Use Aluminum Conduit
Both EMT and RMC come in steel as well as aluminum. But there are a lot of advantages to purchasing aluminum conduit. Here are some of the ways in which aluminum is the superior option.
- Durability and strength – Aluminum is an incredibly lightweight material. A 10-foot section of aluminum conduit weighs a little more than 30 pounds, while the same length of steel weighs about 100 pounds. But just because aluminum is lightweight, that doesn’t mean it’s not tough. Our aluminum is just as strong as steel, thanks to the special alloys we use when producing our conduit. Also, aluminum lasts longer as steel because it’s corrosion resistant.
- Conductivity – Aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor. That means it will always be safe to handle no matter how hot or cold the outside temperatures may be.
- Cost-effectiveness – Because aluminum is so much lighter than steel, it’s much less expensive to purchase and ship. You can also see significant savings on labor costs, because you won’t need to assign as many workers to install aluminum conduit.
Contact American Conduit to Learn More
The professionals with American Conduit can tell you more about the different electrical conduit types, and which one will be best for you to install. Contact us online or call (800) 334-6825 for more information.