When it comes to electrical conduit, there are two main materials used: steel and aluminum. While both have their benefits, there are many reasons why aluminum conduit is often preferred over steel. Why use aluminum conduit rather than steel? The experts with American Conduit would like to share just a few of the many reasons you should make the switch.
It’s Not a Fair Fight
Comparing aluminum to steel is basically unfair when you really think about it. There are so many areas where aluminum is superior that you might be wondering why you ever used steel in the first place.
First and foremost, aluminum conduit is significantly lighter than steel. This makes it much easier to handle during installation and reduces the risk of injury to workers. Additionally, the lighter weight of aluminum conduit means that it is often less expensive to transport to job sites.
Another advantage of aluminum conduit is its resistance to corrosion. Unlike steel, aluminum doesn’t rust, making it an excellent choice for outdoor installations or in areas with high humidity or exposure to moisture. In addition, aluminum does not require coating or painting to prevent corrosion, reducing the need for additional maintenance.
Aluminum conduit is also more flexible than steel. You can bend and twist it without having to worry about your conduit breaking, or developing cracks. This flexibility makes it easier to install in tight spaces or areas with complex configurations, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming field modifications.
Furthermore, aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity, making it an ideal material for conduit. This means that aluminum conduit has a lower resistance to the flow of electrical current, resulting in less heat and energy loss. In contrast, steel conduit has a higher resistance to electrical current, which can result in higher energy costs and increased risk of electrical fires.
Earth Friendly and Budget Friendly
Aluminum conduit is also more environmentally friendly than steel. Aluminum can be recycled over and over again. You can recycle it to manufacture new conduit, or for just about any other purpose you can imagine. In contrast, steel production is resource-intensive and requires significant amounts of energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.
Finally, aluminum conduit is more cost-effective than steel in many cases. The long-term cost savings can be significant. Due to its resistance to corrosion, aluminum conduit requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan than steel. Also, the reduced weight of aluminum conduit reduces installation time and labor costs.
When you purchase from American Conduit, you’ll never have to worry about us leaving you high and dry. The reason is that we have a virtually unlimited supply of conduit in stock – about a million pounds at all times.
Talk to an American Conduit Expert for More Information
Why use aluminum conduit rather than steel? This article really only scratches the surface of what this is the case. If you would like to learn more about our amazing products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with American Conduit. One of our friendly, knowledgeable professionals will be very happy to tell you much more.
You can contact us online, or you can give us a call at 1-800-334-6825. We very much look forward to hearing from you.