Whatever the nature of the location in which you are preparing to begin wiring, the first decision that you will be required to make is to determine the nature of the wiring that you will be making use of in order to finish the job.
While some wires make use of sheath coating, which will only need to be stapled to wall studs and then require joists to keep it secure, which encloses all wires within the same sheath but can still come into contact with anything capable of cutting into that sheath, conduit wiring is another option.
Conduits and styles
Conduits come in a number of different styles ranging from those of reasonably strong construction to very rigid ones that would not even be damaged if they were driven over by an automobile. The conduit that is selected will have to be one that both meets your particular requirements while still being appropriate to local codes.
Conduits can run electrical wiring throughout and outside homes or businesses, even including within walls in some instances and the nature of the wires used may also differ.
Solid or stranded wire is normally pulled through the conduit, generally being either the wire types THWM or THHN. There may also be some variance in the size of the wire depending on the amperage that is required to fully supply the point you are trying to feed, which will ultimately be the deciding factor as to the size of the conduit being installed.
Where would you use conduits?
Conduits that are intended for outdoor use need to be rated. Varieties of conduits that can be used outdoors include PVC conduit, which is ideal for wet and underground locations, and flexible metal conduit, which suits areas that have close quarters and tight bends where bending regular conduit would be difficult.
Good examples of common flexible conduit installation include the likes of water heaters, upper floor vents and can lights.
EMT conduits are likewise easy to bend and very lightweight and suited for use within walls, but unlike rigid conduits or IMC is easy to damage.
IMC conduits are thicker and galvanised, making them ideal for installing in exterior locations as well as in exposed walls in outbuildings.
The heaviest and thickest form of conduit is a rigid metal conduit, which can be utilised in order to run wires beneath service installations, driveways and areas that feature extreme conditions.
Rigid conduits need to be threaded on the end and are the most expensive of these conduits by some distance. It is favoured by the great majority of utility companies for use as service entrance piping to make sure the installation will be the best and strongest possible and able to protect wiring and cope with the likes of falling branches, storm damage and extreme winds.
The conduit will need to be run through the roof in order to achieve the securest possible installation in most instances.
Conduit wiring is the best way to ensure wires are protected.
