Flexible electrical conduit is a type of electrical conduit that is designed to be flexible, allowing for easy installation and routing of wires in enclosed areas with hard turns. It is typically made from metal, fiber, or plastic, each with its own properties and characteristics.
Key Facts
- Types of materials used:
- Metal: Flexible metallic conduit (FMC) is made by coiling up metal and interlocking the rings together.
- Fiber: Some types of flexible electrical conduit may be made of fiber, although specific details about fiber conduit materials are not mentioned in the search results.
- Plastic: Non-metallic conduit, such as liquid tight flexible non-metallic conduit (LNFC), is made of non-metallic materials, including plastic[3].
- Properties and characteristics:
- Flexibility: Flexible electrical conduit is designed to be flexible, allowing for easy installation and routing of wires in enclosed areas with hard turns.
- Strength: Flexible metallic conduit (FMC) provides enough strength to protect the wires while still being flexible.
- Waterproofing: Some types of flexible electrical conduit, such as liquid tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), have a waterproof jacket that allows them to be used in damp or hazardous areas[3].
Materials Used in Flexible Electrical Conduit
Metal
Flexible metallic conduit (FMC) is made by coiling up metal and interlocking the rings together. This creates a flexible hollow tube that can be used to pull wires through. FMC is suitable for use in dry areas where it’s not possible to fit any type of rigid conduit. It has enough strength to protect the wires while still being flexible.
Fiber
Some types of flexible electrical conduit may be made of fiber, although specific details about fiber conduit materials are not mentioned in the search results.
Plastic
Non-metallic conduit, such as liquid tight flexible non-metallic conduit (LNFC), is made of non-metallic materials, including plastic. These types of conduits also have a waterproof jacket to provide protection from water. Some types of LNFC have reinforcement inside the walls of the conduit for added strength.
Properties and Characteristics of Flexible Electrical Conduit
Flexibility
Flexible electrical conduit is designed to be flexible, allowing for easy installation and routing of wires in enclosed areas with hard turns.
Strength
Flexible metallic conduit (FMC) provides enough strength to protect the wires while still being flexible.
Waterproofing
Some types of flexible electrical conduit, such as liquid tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), have a waterproof jacket that allows them to be used in damp or hazardous areas.
Sources
- https://www.anacondasealtite.com/what-is-a-flexible-electrical-conduit/
- https://www.conduit-flexible.com/news/1161.html
- http://heyco.com/blog/four-types-flexible-conduit-uses/
FAQs
What are the common materials used to make flexible electrical conduit?
Flexible electrical conduit is typically made from metal, fiber, or plastic.
What is flexible metallic conduit (FMC) made of?
FMC is made by coiling up metal and interlocking the rings together.
What are the advantages of using FMC?
FMC is flexible, strong, and suitable for use in dry areas where it’s not possible to fit rigid conduit.
What is non-metallic conduit made of?
Non-metallic conduit, such as liquid tight flexible non-metallic conduit (LNFC), is made of non-metallic materials, including plastic.
What are the advantages of using LNFC?
LNFC is flexible, waterproof, and can be used in damp or hazardous areas.
Are there any other types of flexible electrical conduit besides FMC and LNFC?
Yes, there are other types of flexible electrical conduit, such as liquid tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) and flexible metallic tubing (FMT).
What is the difference between LFMC and FMC?
LFMC has a waterproof jacket over the metal coils, while FMC does not.
What is the advantage of using FMT?
FMT is fully flexible and liquid-tight without a nonmetallic jacket, making it easy to bend and route through walls.