If you are looking for ways to control your project costs, consider aluminum rigid metal conduit instead of steel. Rigid aluminum conduit from American Conduit can replace rigid steel conduit in virtually all locations.
American Conduit is a product brand of Hydro, the world’s largest supplier of aluminum extrusions and the largest aluminum extruder in North America. We have 35 years of experience in the production of rigid aluminum conduit and aluminum electrical metallic tubing, and make them available to customers from coast to coast in a wide range of lengths and diameter.
Benefits of Aluminum Conduit
A recent comprehensive study conducted by IBIS Associates, an independent consulting firm, highlights the cost savings and other benefits of rigid aluminum conduit over traditional steel conduit, making aluminum worth serious consideration.
The advantages of utilizing rigid aluminum conduit include:
- Cost per foot savings of 10% to 20% versus rigid steel
- Lighter in weight and easier to maneuver
- Improved worker safety
- Naturally corrosion resistant
- Tough natural protective oxide layer
- Better visual appearance
- Requires no maintenance painting or treatment
- Does not spark like steel, reducing the risk of explosion
- Non-ferrous and non-magnetic
- Provides a superior ground return path
- Is environmentally friendly and non-toxic, even at high temperatures
- A LEED-favored material that requires minimal energy to recycle
- Meets the same code requirements as rigid steel conduit
Cost Savings
Rigid aluminum conduit is less expensive than its galvanized steel counterpart based primarily on the weight of the material and the ease of installation. This will allow you to save thousands of dollars on your project.
Aluminum weighs approximately one-third as much as its steel counterpart (one pound of aluminum equals three pounds of steel). Significant savings are achieved from the ability to cover three times the distance with the same amount of weight.
The lighter material weight of aluminum conduit also results in greater labor savings. For example, a standard 10-foot length of 4-inch steel conduit weighs nearly 100 pounds and requires two people to carry and place it. The same length of aluminum conduit weighs only 34 pounds and can be handled by one person. If your project calls for larger conduit, these labor savings will be even greater.
We encourage you to review American Conduit’s case studies to read about projects where aluminum conduit was substituted for steel conduit, resulting in substantial material and labor savings.
Other Advantages
Not only does rigid aluminum conduit offer significant cost savings compared to steel, the material also offers superior quality and performance.
Aluminum conduit is non-ferrous and non-magnetic, which avoids the de-rating required for steel conduit and improves both savings and performance. It resists corrosion and will not rust or discolor, even after extended outdoor exposure. And unlike steel, aluminum conduit does not spark. This reduces the risk of explosion in volatile environments.
When you need rigid metal conduit, consider the savings that can be achieved by choosing aluminum. American Conduit has more than 20 stocking warehouses and 33 representatives nationwide. With nearly 1 million pounds of conduit material in stock and ready to ship, we have the ability to meet your demands. Request a quotation today!