Electrical
Conduit Classifications
The choice of electrical conduit types impacts more than just aesthetics. It determines internal fill area, installation speed, and long-term protection for your conductors.
EMT
Electrical Metallic Tubing
The Industry Standard
EMT electrical metallic tubing is a thin-wall raceway commonly used in commercial and residential interior wiring. It provides excellent protection while being lightweight and easy to bend.
Highest fill area per trade size among EMT conduit types among metallic options.
Not suitable for hazardous or severe-duty environments.
Rigid & Intermediate Metal
RMC (Rigid Metal Conduit) and IMC (Intermediate Metal Conduit) electrical conduit types are heavy-duty, threaded raceways. RMC offers the maximum protection for industrial and hazardous areas, including EMT vs PVC conduit comparisons.
Max-wall protection, lowest IMC conduit internal fill area.
Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) protection, slightly more fill area than rigid metal conduit (RMC).
Always account for the reduced internal area of RMC rigid metal conduit when sizing large bundles.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
Non-Metallic Authority
PVC conduit types are the go-to for underground burials and wet locations. However, its type (Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80) drastically affects the internal diameter.
Schedule 40
Standard wall thickness, versatile conduit internal fill area for non-exposed runs.
Schedule 80
Thick wall reduces conduit internal fill area by ~15% vs PVC Schedule 40.
Flex & Liquidtight
Flexible types of electrical conduit (FMC) and Liquidtight variants (LFMC/LFNC) provide critical movement and moisture protection. They feature helical geometry which affects pulling tension and effective fill.
FMC
Flexible EMT electrical metallic tubing conduit for vibrating equipment and tight turns.
LFMC
Liquid-Tight Flexible Metal electrical conduit types with a protective outer jacket.
ENT
Smurf Tube' - types of electrical conduit, including EMT electrical metallic tubing for wall/slab use.
Choose Wisely. Size Correctly.
Every raceway type, including EMT electrical metallic tubing types, requires unique calculation data. Never assume dimensions across different materials.
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