PSU OJT By: IIEE-SQC

Conduit System

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 1
Objective

▪ To provide basic understanding of conduit

system, types, its application, compliance to
Code requirements and Manufacturers’
installation guideline.

▪ To provide guidelines in preparation of

electrical cable routing drawings using
conduit system

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 2
Outline

Section 1. Definition of Terms

Section 2. Conduit – Advantages and Disadvantages
Section 3. Types of Conduit
Section 4. Comparison of Steel Conduit
Section 5. Metallic vs. Non-Metallic Conduit
Section 6. Conduit Fittings and Purpose
Section 7. Conduit System Design
Section 8. Installation Methods
Section 9. Conduit

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 3
 Section 1. Definition of Terms
▪ Conduit system – closed wiring system consisting of conduits and conduit
fittings for the protection and management of insulated conductors and/or
cables in electrical or communication installations, allowing them to be
drawn in and/or replaced, but not to be inserted laterally.
▪ Conduit – part of a closed wiring system of general circular cross-section
for insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical or communication
installations allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced.
▪ Conduit fitting - device designed to join one or more components of a
conduit system, or for them to change direction.

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 4
 Section 2. Conduit – Advantages
and Disadvantages
Advantages :
▪ Electrical conduit provides very
good protection to enclosed
conductors from impact, moisture,
and chemical vapors.
▪ Frequent wiring changes are
made simpler and safer through
the use of electrical conduit, as
existing conductors can be
withdrawn and new conductors
installed with little disruption along
the path of the conduit.
▪ Metal conduit can be used to
shield sensitive circuits from
electromagnetic interference, and
also prevent emission of such
interference from enclosed power
cables.
▪ When installed with proper sealing
fittings, a conduit will not permit
the flow of flammable gases and
vapors, which provides protection
from fire and explosion hazard in
areas handling volatile substances
Disadvantages:
▪ The cost of conduit installation is higher that
other wiring methods due to the cost of
materials and labor.
▪ Conductors installed within conduit cannot
dissipate heat as readily as those installed in
open wiring, so the current capacity of each
conductor should be reduced (ampacity
derating) if any are installed in one conduit.
▪ It is impractical and prohibited by wiring
regulations to have more than 360 degrees of
total bend in a run of conduit, so special outlet
fittings must be provided to allow conductors
to be installed without damage in such runs.
▪ While metal conduit can be used as a
grounding conductor, the circuit length is
limited. A long run of conduit as grounding
conductor will not allow proper operation of
overcurrent devices on a fault.
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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 5
Section 3. Types of Conduit

Conduit are classified by the wall thickness of tubing,

mechanical stiffness of the tubing, and material used to
make the tubing. They could either be metallic and non-
metallic.

1. Metallic
a. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
b. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
c. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
- Aluminum conduit
2. Non-metallic Conduit
Plastic (PVC, Polyethylene, styrene, etc)

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 6
Section 4. Comparison of Steel
Conduit

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Section 4. Comparison of Steel
Conduit

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 Section 4.1 Steel Conduit -
Aluminum
Features :
▪ Corrosion resistance
▪ Attractive appearance
▪ Non-sparking
▪ Non-magnetic
▪ Ease of installation

Notes :
1. Aluminum cannot be used for underground
installation, concrete encased or direct
burial installations
2. Aluminum conduit is limited to
aboveground installations.

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 9
Section 5. Metallic vs. Non-Metallic
Conduit
Metallic Conduit Non-metallic
Conduit
Advantages: Advantages:
1. Very strong affording high degree of mechanical protection 1. Less costly in terms of labor and material
2. Spans much longer distance supports than non-metallic 2. Lighter and easier to handle
3. Can be used in “hazardous” areas 3. Joints are not threaded therefore installation
4. The metal conduit can be used as “ground return” path for is easier and less time consuming
the circuit 4. Easier to bend
5. No impedance to flow of current

Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
1. More costly in terms of both material and labor 1. Not as strong as metallic conduit
2. Heavier and hence more difficult to handle 2. Requires many support points when used
aboveground
3. Threaded joints are time consuming to assemble 3. Cannot be used in “hazardous”
areas
4. Difficult to bend 4. Provides no “ground return” path for the
circuit
5. Steel conduit creates some impedance to current flow. Resulting
in heat and power loss

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 10
Section 6. Conduit Fittings and
Purpose
Types of Fittings

▪ “General purpose conduit fittings” – used for area such as

commercial buildings, industrial areas and similar
environments.

▪ “Explosion-proof conduit fittings” – used in certain

hazardous classified areas

Purpose of conduit fittings

▪ used when the conduit must change direction

▪ used as a “pull point” a point at which the wire maybe

pulled through the conduit

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 11
 Section 6.1 Conduit Fittings :
General Purpose

Compression Connector Set screw Connector

Conduit strap

Cable connector Set screw

Combination Compression
coupling
Coupling Coupling
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Section 6.1 Conduit Fittings:
General Purpose

Insulated Bushing Strain Relief Connector

Insulated Grounding Bushing Locknut Coupling

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Section 6.2 Conduit Fittings –
Conduit Bodies

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Section 6.3 Conduit Fittings –
Explosion Proof

Union Expansion Union Sealing Hubs Plugs

Drain/Breathers
Drain Seals

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 15
Section 7. Conduit System Design
Factors affecting the design of conduit system:

▪ Installation (aboveground or underground)

▪ Correct type of conduit (metallic or non-metallic)

▪ Correct size of conduit

▪ Correct choice of fitting

▪ Separation between electrical and instrumentation conduit

▪ Routing of conduit (conduit corridor)

▪ Wire pulling on long runs (use of cable points and limit number of
bends)

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Thermal protection of steel conduit (fireproofing)
© 2012 Fluor Corporation 16
Section 8. Installation Methods

▪ Underground
An underground installation system consists of conduits,
ductbanks and on occasion cable pits. Plastic conduit will
mainly be used for underground installations.

▪ Aboveground
An aboveground installation system generally consists of
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Electrical Metallic Tubing and
plastic conduit for installations in less hazardous area.

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 17
Section 8.1 Installation Methods -
Aboveground

Aboveground Installation *** COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL ***

© 2012 Fluor Corporation 18
Section 8.2 Installation Methods -
Underground

Underground Installation - Ductbank

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Section 8.3 Installation Methods

Conduit Installation - Equipment

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Section 8.4 Installation Methods

Conduit Installation in substation

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Section 8.5 Installation Methods

U/G to A/G Installation : Stub-up

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Section 9. Conduit Fill (per NEC)

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Section 9.1 Conduit Fill Calculation
Example 1:
Determine the minimum size of Rigid Conduit to be used with 2 sets
of 3 x 50mm2 THW + 50mm2 THW (ground)

Method 1: Using Table (10.1.1.1)

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the total number of Conductor
No of Conductor: 2 (3 +1) = 8
since this is 8 conductor this is under Over 2 Wires (40%)

Step 2: Determine each Area and the total Area:

Refer to Table 10.1.1.5 for THW
for 50mm2 area is 143.1mm2
Area total is 143.1 x 8 = 1144.80 mm2

Step 3: Determine the size of Conduit in Table 10.1.1.4 for RMC

refer to column over 2 Wires (40%)

Hence use 65 mm diameter of RMC *** COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL ***

© 2012 Fluor Corporation 24
Section 9.1 Conduit Fill Calculation
Example 1:
Determine the minimum size of Rigid Conduit to be used with 2 sets
of 3 x 50mm2 THW + 50mm2 THW (ground)

Method 2: Using Table C

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the total number of Conductor
No of Conductor: 2 (3 +1) = 8

Step 2: Since conductor in table C is in AWG convert the mm2 to AWG

50mm2 is approximately equal to 1/0 AWG

Step 3: Determine the size of Conduit in table C for RMC

Hence use 65 mm diameter of RMC

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 25
Section 9.1 Conduit Fill Calculation
Example 2:
Determine the minimum size of PVC Conduit schedule 80 to be used
with 2 sets of 3 x 50mm2 THW + 50mm2 THW (ground) and 1 set of
3 x 150mm2 THW + 80mm2 THW (ground)
Method 1: Using Table (10.1.1.1)
Solution:
Determine each Area and the total Area Refer to Table 10.1.1.5 for THW
Size Approx . Area Quantity Total Area (mm2)
(mm2)
50mm2 THW 143.1 8 1144.8
150mm2 THW 339.8 3 1019.4
80mm2 THW 201.1 1 201.1
Total Net Area 2365.3

Determine the size of Conduit in Table 10.1.1.4 for PVC

refer to column over 2 Wires (40%)
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Hence use 100mm diameter of PVC © 2012 Fluor Corporation
Section 9.1 Conduit Fill Calculation
Example 1:
Determine the minimum size of Rigid Conduit to be used with 2 sets
of 3 x 50mm2 THW + 50mm2 THW (ground)

Method 2: Using Table C

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the total number of Conductor
No of Conductor: 2 (3 +1) = 8

Step 2: Since conductor in table C is in AWG convert the mm2 to AWG

50mm2 is approximately equal to 1/0 AWG

Step 3: Determine the size of Conduit in table C for RMC

Hence use 65 mm diameter of RMC

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 27
Table 10.1.1.5

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Table 10.1.1.4 for RMC

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Table C

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Table 10.1.1.4 for PVC sched 80

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© 2012 Fluor Corporation 31