Pipes made of metal have an extensive list of uses, including electrical work. Wiring in metal pipes is not afraid of mechanical, chemical attack, which is a great advantage. During installation, it is important to comply with work technology and fire safety requirements.
Materials for the manufacture of metal pipes for electrical wiring
The choice of the material from which the pipe is made will depend on the type and design features of the room in which the work is planned to be carried out.
Pipes for electrical wiring are made of steel, brass, copper, plastic.
Features of brass and copper pipes
Copper pipes for wiring, despite the large number of advantages, are not in demand. This is due to the high cost.
Brass and copper pipes have the following characteristics:
- Compared to steel, these two materials are less susceptible to the negative effects of corrosion.
- Polished and neatly mounted channels in an open way can serve as a decoration for the design of the room.
- Thanks to the large assortment of fittings and good plasticity, you can make the installation yourself.
It is worth noting the durability of the structures, as well as high resistance to negative environmental influences.
Brass and copper thin-walled structures are optimal for installation on wall and ceiling surfaces. They can also be used when arranging hidden wiring.
Characteristics of steel pipes
Electrical steel pipe for cable laying has a significant drawback - a large mass, but at the same time the material is high-strength, which is an advantage. This type of pipes is recommended to be purchased if the wiring is to be laid in wooden houses. You should also definitely take care of grounding, since steel is a good conductor, otherwise proper safety will not be ensured in the building structure.
Ordinary pipes made of steel have a wall thickness of more than 0.25 cm. For thin-walled steel structures, this indicator ranges from 0.16-0.25 cm. It is forbidden to use such products if the surface of the aluminum wire is bare.
Installation of thick-walled channels is characterized by the need for welding and high cost. The cost of the material itself is relatively low, but at the same time high strength is noted.
Types of metal pipes
Metal pipes are classified according to their design features:
- straight;
- corrugated.
Taking into account the peculiarities of each variety, it will be possible to choose the most suitable option, sometimes even saving the family budget. Criteria for selecting pipes for wiring:
- plastic,
- diameter,
- weight,
- density indicators,
- length.
When choosing metal pipes for electrical wiring, it is important to correctly correlate the technical characteristics and the cost of the goods.The pricing policy is varied, but quality products cannot be too cheap.
GOST standards
Seamless metal pipe for electrical wiring is regulated in accordance with GOST document No. 8732-78. The main indicator for their pricing is weight. Also in GOST there is a table that helps to correctly correlate the size of the wall and the volume.
| Wall thickness, mm Ordinary | Wall thickness, mm Lungs | Outside diameter, mm | Nominal bore Dy, mm |
| 2,8 | 2,35 | 26,8 | 20 |
| 3,2 | 2,8 | 33,5 | 25 |
| 3,5 | 3,0 | 48,0 | 40 |
| 3,5 | 3,0 | 60,0 | 50 |
| 4,0 | 3,2 | 75,5 | 65 |
| 4,0 | 3,5 | 88,5 | 80 |
| 4,0 | 3,5 | 101,3 | 90 |
| 4,5 | 4,0 | 114,0 | 100 |
It is important to ensure good insulation during the construction phase, otherwise serious problems may arise.
Advantages of metal pipes
To understand why, due to the large number of analogs at a more acceptable cost, metal structures do not lose their relevance, you need to familiarize yourself with their main advantages:
- Even in flammable building structures, the wires are reliably protected from fire by a corrugated metal hose.
- Thanks to the flexibility of the stainless steel corrugation, you can shape any shape without the need for additional tools.
- During the operational period, cable channels do not require maintenance and any preventive measures.
Installation does not require a large arsenal of tools.
Installation work rules
At the stage of installing pipes for electrical wiring, it is important to observe the following rules:
- The work should be carried out in 2 stages. First, the beginning and end of the pipes are schematically shown, which are fed to the switchboard, control device, and electrical receiver. Next, they calculate suitable attachment points, bending angles, as well as places for mounting boxes.
- During installation, the metal conductors of the wiring must be grounded using a flexible copper jumper leading from the body to the pipe. Alternatively, grounding nuts can be used.
- Before tightening the pipe, it is important to purge and then align.
- In the boxes, you should always leave a margin for connection in case of emergency situations. It is strictly forbidden to make a connection in pipes. Resistance between pipe and wires is not less than 0.5 Mohm.
Installation should be carried out in such a way that, if necessary, the wiring can be easily removed. Connections are made using couplings and fittings.
What does grounding protect from?
Thanks to grounding, you can protect household members from electric shock when touching the pipes. The effect of electric current is manifested as follows:
| 0.6 - 1.5 thousand μA | A person feels the effect of an electric current in his body. |
| 2 - 4 thousand μA | Fingers begin to tremble, a person cannot stop this. |
| 5 - 7 thousand μA | The brushes are cramping. |
| 10 - 15 thousand μA | Without the help of others, a person on his own cannot unclench the fingers of the hand in which the guide is located. |
| 20 - 25 thousand μA | Breathing is difficult, it is not possible to free oneself from the influence of the conductor, severe pains appear. |
| 50 - 80 thousand μA | Disturbances in the work of the heart, paralysis of the respiratory system occurs. |
The range of metal pipes for electrical wiring is quite extensive, in order to purchase the most suitable option, you need to familiarize yourself with the design features, its advantages and disadvantages.
