What is flex conduit?

Conduits are tubings used to enclose and protect electrical wires that supply power to a home or a building. Flexible metallic conduits or FMCs are often used in commercial buildings. This conduit is specifically used in areas where it is not possible to use a rigid conduit.

In this regard, what is flex conduit called?

Flexible metallic conduit (FMC, informally called greenfield or flex) is made by the helical coiling of a self-interlocked ribbed strip of aluminum or steel, forming a hollow tube through which wires can be pulled. FMT is a raceway, but not a conduit and is described in a separate NEC Article 360.

Similarly, how long can you run flexible conduit? 250-18 limits flexible metal conduit to 6 ft only for grounding. In lengths over 6 ft, you must install a separate grounding conductor.

People also ask, where can I use flex conduit?

Either rigid or flexible, conduit protects the wires and is used in exposed locations, such as along the exterior surface of a wall. It is also used in unfinished areas, like basements, crawlspaces, and attics, and for surface-mounted installations outdoors.

Can I use flexible conduit outdoors?

Outdoor flexible nonmetallic tubing is strong and watertight, non-corrosive and weighs less. Metal or plastic boxes can be used with nonmetallic conduit. Always run a ground wire when using PVC conduit.

34 Related Question Answers Found

Does EMT conduit rust?

Typical EMT Type conduit will resist rust for a few years. It is however inevitable that it will rust. On the other hand there have been times when the conduit has rusted on parts of its surface having been exposed to the outdoor elements for one or two seasons.

What are the types of conduit?

There are seven different types of conduit used commonly in residential and light commercial wiring.

Rigid Metal Conduit—RMC and IMC.
Electrical Metallic Tubing—EMT.
Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing—ENT.
Flexible Metal Conduit—FMC and LFMC.
Rigid PVC Conduit.

Can flexible conduit be buried?

Not all types of conduit can be buried in the soil. EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) and flexible “Raintite” are not considered suitable for burial. Aluminum Rigid will corrode away in certain soils, such as clay, or in moist areas. That leaves PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) conduit as the choice for most do-it-yourselfers.

What is EMT conduit made of?

EMT is a common, thinly-walled conduit pipe that is often chosen in place of galvanized rigid conduit. It is made out of coated steel and aluminum.

Is EMT conduit flexible?

Non-Flexible Metal Conduit

GRC (galvanized rigid conduit) is galvanized steel with a wall thick enough to accommodate threading, though it may not always be threaded. EMT (electrical metal tubing) is thin-walled, which makes it less expensive and lighter than other metallic rigid conduit types.

Is conduit required?

Code requires that romex be installed in a conduit. Conduit also protects your wires from exposed surfaces such as rough bricks in a basement. PVC conduit is easy to cut and to install and will make your wire installation simpler. Aluminum conduit is useful in electrical applications because it is highly conductive.

Is PVC conduit flexible?

Among all conduit types, PVC is lightweight and versatile. Available in a variety of thicknesses or grades, PVC is well suited for direct burial or above ground work. PVC conduit is also used for many electrical requirements. This product is flexible and durable and resists corrosion.

Can plumbing PVC be used for electrical conduit?

PVC pipe can be used in place of PVC conduit if the PVC pipe has been manufactured to meet safety requirements on flame and temperature resistance, but because PVC conduit isn't pressure tested, PVC conduit cannot replace PVC pipe. So, the answer is YES. A PVC pipe can be used for electrical conduit.

What is flex conduit made of?

Extra flexible conduit is a non-UL extra flexible conduit made with high grade galvanized low carbon steel with an interlocking design and is also corrosion resistant.

How far can you run liquid tight flex?

356.12 limits LFNC to six feet, with a couple of exceptions.

Can I use PVC conduit in garage?

Combining metal boxes and PVC conduit is fine, but unlike an all-metal system, PVC requires you to run a separate ground wire and bond it to each metal box or light fixture with either a screw or a special grounding clip.

Do I have to use conduit in garage?

In general, conduit is required where the cable is exposed to possible damage or exposed to the elements. A sheathed cable protected behind drywall generally does not need conduit. If there is open framing (common with detached garages, uncommon with attached garages) the local electrical code will vary.

Can flexible conduit be exposed?

According to 348.10 of the 2011 NEC, flexible metal conduit (FMC) is permitted in exposed or concealed locations. On the other hand, the locations where FMC is not permitted are much more specific.

How many wires can be in a flexible conduit?

Allowable Conduit Fill Capacities

Size and Type of Conduit	14 AWG Wire	12 AWG Wire
1/2-inch EMT	12	9
3/4-inch EMT	22	16
1-inch EMT	35	26
1 1/2-inch EMT	84	61

Is it legal to run Romex in conduit?

Romex is allowed in conduit, length is not an issue. Romex is not allowed in wet locations. The inside of conduit in a wet location is considered a wet location.

What kind of wire do you use for outdoor conduit?

Type UF cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs. UF cable can be direct-buried (without conduit) with a minimum of 24 inches of earth cover.

How far can you run MC cable?

According to NEC Article 330.30, MC cable must be supported and secured at intervals of 6 feet or less (unless routed through a framing member) and cables containing four or fewer conductors sized no larger than 10 AWG must be secured within 12 inches of every termination.