Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) is a thin-walled metal raceway that is used indoors and outdoors to protect enclosed electrical conductors from impact, moisture and chemical vapors. American Conduit’s aluminum EMT is UL listed, installs faster, and can save you thousands of dollars on a typical job.
American Conduit by Hydro, based in St. Augustine, FL, has 35 years of experience in the production of aluminum electrical metallic tubing in a wide range of diameters and lengths.
We are a product brand of Hydro, the largest aluminum extruder in North America, which produces over 550 million pounds of extrusions per year. Our nationwide distribution network of more than 20 stocking warehouses and 33 representatives ensures easy access for customers from coast to coast.
Types of Metal Conduit
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) – RMC is a thick-walled, threaded tubing that is connected by screwing connectors to the main tubes. It protects the cables inside from damage, impact and electromagnetic interference, which can be harmful to sensitive equipment.
RMC is generally made of steel or aluminum, but the most commonly used form of RMC in commercial and industrial buildings is made from galvanized steel.
Rigid metal conduit’s thick walls make it much heavier than other types of conduit, and it requires more effort to lift and move. The threaded connections also require more labor to install. More labor equates to greater expense.
Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) – EMT is an unthreaded, thin-walled tubing generally made of galvanized steel or aluminum. Although often referred to as “conduit,” it is technically considered tubing.
EMT is connected using clamp-type fittings that slide onto the tubing and are secured with a set-screw. It is popular in commercial and industrial applications because it is lighter and thinner than rigid metal conduit and is relatively easy to bend and cut. It can be installed outdoors, as long as all fittings, supports and fasteners are made of corrosion-resistant materials.
Advantages of Aluminum EMT
American Conduit aluminum EMT is made with a high purity 6005 aluminum alloy, which ensures excellent strength and exceptional corrosion resistance. This makes it an ideal solution for installations where steel tubing is not suitable because of large amounts of water or chemicals, such as in food processing plants. Other advantages include:
- Costs less than steel EMT
- Less expensive to ship
- Installs faster and with less manpower
- One-third the weight of steel
- Highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal
- Easy field fabrication
- Naturally resists corrosion from air, water and chemicals
- Non-magnetic
- Non-sparking and non-combustible for greater protection from fire or explosions
- Inherent EMI shielding
- Improved thermal and electrical conductivity
- UL Listed; National Electric Code® (NEC) compliant
- 100% recyclable without losing any of its natural characteristics
Aluminum EMT cannot be directly embedded in concrete since the metal reacts with the alkalis in cement; however, it can be coated to prevent incidental contact.
American Conduit has nearly 1 million pounds of aluminum electrical metallic tubing and rigid aluminum conduit in stock and ready to ship, and can meet your conduit demands. Give us a call at 1-800-334-6825 to learn more, or request a quote today.