CUT THROUGH THE CONDUIT CONFUSION

The choice of which type of flexible conduit system to use for a particular application is an important one. It is vital that the solution you opt for not only protects all areas of the cabling, but also provides the appropriate levels of protection for its specific environment.

However, as every contractor knows, there is so much choice available that it can be a confusing decision. So, what are some of the factors you need to consider –and how can you ensure that you get it right every time?

Depending on its location, cabling can be vulnerable to a wide range of hazards. For example, it may be necessary for a flexible conduit system to meet a certain IP rating to prevent water or dust ingress, have advanced fire-performance properties, or be able to resist chemicals or UV exposure.

Alternatively, fatigue life or impact resistance may be the main hazards, in which case, the best solution is a nylon polyamide (PA) corrugated flexible conduit. This is because it offers high-impact strength and recovery if crushed, combined with excellent temperature performance.

If corrosion is the central threat, you will still want to consider a non-metallic conduit solution, since it does not rust or corrode and therefore maintains its performance and appearance over time, even when subjected to UV.

The number of possible hazards means every job must be assessed closely before a decision is made. This takes time and means contractors may have to carefully consider keeping or ordering different stocks for different jobs and projects.

It hardly needs saying that incorrect specification can lead to critical failures in the cabling. This is serious, and first and foremost, can have grave consequences from a health and safety point of view. It can also have vast repercussions in terms of infrastructure. We live in a highly interconnected world, and electricity is its lifeblood. Failure to adequately protect cables can bring businesses, processes, and even industries to a standstill – with a corresponding impact on your reputation if you are found to have been at fault.

The need to get it right every time means contractors must do everything they can to always have the right solution on hand for the application. This can often lead to having to order or keep stocks of a wide variety of products to suit multiple situations. However, this is both costly and time-consuming, and is still no guarantee that the right decision will always be made.

The plethora of flexible conduit options available – as well as the serious consequences of choosing the wrong one – is why Flexicon is launching its new, high-specification IP68-rated Contractor Pack. A premium-rated cable protection solution that comes in a handy, convenient package, the Flexicon FPEN Contractor Pack can be used by installers as an end-to-end solution for any external or internal applications that require high levels of ingress protection.

Flexicon, flexicon.uk.com

The choice of which type of flexible conduit system to use for a particular application is an important one