Electrical Conduit

Conduit, or Electrical Conduit, is a pipe or tube that houses electrical wires for a variety of applications. It serves to protect the wires within and shield individuals who may come near the wires. The appropriate type of conduit for a specific installation is determined by local building codes and the US National Electrical Code (NEC).

Types of Electrical Conduit

• Fiberglass Electrical Conduit
• Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
• Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC)
• PVC Conduit
• Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)

An excellent alternative to PVC Conduit is Fiberglass Conduit. As a distributor for Champion Fiberglass, we offer fiberglass conduit that is currently priced below PVC conduit, has a shorter lead time, and is naturally corrosion-proof and impact-resistant.

Conduit Specifications

Nominal Size and Length Availability

The following nominal sizes are available (size x length):

IPS: Iron Pipe Size | ID: Inner Diameter (Tubular)

Conduit Type (Application & Color)

The required conduit type is often categorized by application and size designation:

• A: IPS Below Ground
• B: ID Below Ground (Tubular)
• C: IPS Above Ground (Most Common)
• D: ID Above Ground
• E: IPS Phenolic (Meets NFPA 130)
• F: ID Phenolic (Meets NFPA 130)
• G: IPS Below Ground – Grey in color
• H: ID Below Ground – Grey in color
• I: IPS Above Ground – Grey in color
• J: ID Above Ground – Grey in color

Note: Above Ground conduit can be used Below Ground.

Wall Thickness Options

Wall thickness is selected based on the protection level required:

SW (Standard Wall)

UL 3/4"–4" | Most common.

MW (Medium Wall)

UL 5" and 6" | Used for more protection in 5" and 6" sizes.

HW (Heavy Wall)

Used for increased protection in 4"–8" sizes.

XW (Extra Heavy Wall)

UL 3/4"–6" | Highest level of physical protection (e.g., bullet resistant, Class I, Division 2, and Class I, Zone 2 Applications).

Standard Wall (SW) applies in most cases unless:

1. Class I, Division 2 applications require XW Conduit.
2. Extra physical protection is required.
3. UL listing is required (see catalog for details).
4. Conduit size necessitates a different wall (e.g., 5" and 6" often use MW).
5. Specific project specifications (i.e., DOT).
6. Extreme environments.

Note: Reference the Duct Catalog for more details.

Joint Type Requirements

The joint type is essential for proper installation and environmental sealing:

Interference Joint (Most Common)

Straight Socket. Used for Above Ground and Below Ground installations.

Available in: 3/4"–12" IPS, 2"–8" IPS (as Straight Socket), 3/4"–12" XW, 2"–12" ID.

Gasket Joint

Used for Below Ground or constant temperature environments.

Available in: 3/4"–8" IPS, 2"–6" ID.