Non-combustible pipe for electrical wiring. Electrical wiring in metal pipes - application advantages

Pipes are products with a wide range of applications. They are used not only for organizing transportation liquid media, but also for the manufacture of various designs or in the implementation electrical work. For example, pvc pipe for electrical wiring - important component protection of communications from damage, used more and more often. Little of modern norms counter fire safety suggest the use of plastic pipes, not metal ones. Why? Let's figure it out together!

The pipe is designed to protect the wiring from mechanical stress and aggression environment. Depending on the material, pipes for electrical wiring of the following varieties are distinguished:

Steel pipes, characteristic

Steel pipes are difficult to install, the material is prone to corrosion

The main disadvantage is that steel pipes are prone to corrosion, even painting does not always solve the problem. Installation is a laborious process that requires compliance with certain rules:

• pipe sections should be cleaned and countersinked;
• bends should be made at an angle of 90 degrees. If 2 bends are required, then the length of the pipe should not exceed 5 meters;
• when bending, make sure that the cross section of the pipe does not decrease;
• to prevent corrosion, installation should be carried out with a slight slope towards the junction box;
• steel pipes for electrical wiring should be part of the equalization of forces, because. being conductors, they acquire an unnecessary electric potential.

Copper pipe evaluation

Copper is a corrosion-resistant, ductile material valued primarily for its durability. Among other things, copper pipes for electrical wiring are quickly installed, but even these remarkable qualities are not able to maintain the popularity of the material, which in many respects loses to plastic counterparts.

Copper pipes for electrical wiring are resistant to the whole range of external influences, but do not please with the price

Excellent thermal conductivity contributes to the need to protect the cables inside from extreme temperatures.

It is important!
When crossing heating pipes and electrical wiring, the distance between them must be at least 50 mm. If the pipes are parallel, then this indicator must correspond to 100 mm.

Metal pipes for electrical wiring have other disadvantages - impressive weight, high cost and the need to use specialized equipment during installation.

Plastic pipes can be attributed to the materials of a new generation, which have a lot of undeniable advantages compared to heavy metal samples.

Advantages

• high chemical and corrosion resistance;
• long term operation (about 50 years);
• small specific gravity, facilitating transportation and installation;
• no need to protect wires;
• liquid that accidentally gets into the pipe will not damage it;
• flexibility of specimens of small diameter;
• relative cheapness;
• the possibility of installation without specialized knowledge and skills.

Features of pvc pipes

Manufactured from non-flammable polyvinyl chloride by continuous extrusion and characterized by low coefficient of linear expansion, rigidity and durability. Indispensable for pulling wires in concrete structures. PVC pipes are produced different sizes- from 16 to 50 mm. The length of the segments can reach 3 meters.

Plastic pipes have many advantages: easy to install, durable, inert, durable

Smooth pipes are focused on mechanical protection and additional insulation of the cable. Optimal for open ceiling wiring made of non-combustible / low-combustible materials. There is a large number types of pvc pipes: rigid, smooth, reinforced, corrugated. Each type has specific features that determine the features of use. So, for example, smooth-walled rigid pipes are designed for the distribution of wires in the walls of industrial, administrative and residential buildings. Their main task is to create the most reliable electrical wiring system.

Characteristics of HDPE pipes

PVD (polyethylene high pressure) was obtained in the 1930s. The easiest material to manufacture was soon replaced by HDPE (polyethylene low pressure). These polyethylenes differ not only in density and thickness, but also in characteristics.

It is important!
The main difference is that LDPE is sensitive to oxidation and gases. HDPE, on the other hand, has high water resistance and chemical resistance, but low impact resistance and is used for organizing domestic and drinking water supply, as well as as an insulator when laying a cable into the ground.

PND pipes are smooth, single-walled. They can be poured with concrete or easily mounted in brickwork. The connection is made by means of tees, bends, couplings, etc.

Advantages of polyethylene pipes

• service life of more than 50 years;
• HDPE pipe for electrical wiring does not collapse at low temperatures;
• the diameter of the pipe remains unchanged throughout the entire period of "life", no deposits appear inside, moisture does not condense outside;
• the surface is smooth, not requiring painting or any other processing;
• safe, do not emit toxic substances, work with them does not require special precautions;
• light weight and reasonable cost.

Technological corrugated pipes

The corrugation process contributes to an increase in the rigidity of the structure. Corrugated pipe for electrical wiring is made of non-combustible plastic and is a flexible channel with a circular cross section that can withstand voltages up to 1000 volts. Such pipes become a real salvation when installing false ceilings and raised floors: elastic sleeves are indispensable for laying cables in hard-to-reach places where installation of a rigid structure is impossible.

Corrugated pipes are easy to install, they can be used to arrange a configuration of any complexity using a minimum of connecting elements.

There are also super-heavy samples designed for laying in concrete, cement screed.

Pay attention to diameter:

• for sockets and switches - 20 mm;
• for lighting fixtures- 16 mm;
• for communication of distribution boxes and shields - 25 mm;
• for interfloor connections - 40 mm.

Advantages of corrugated pipes:

• increased wiring insulation;
• reliable protection wires from mechanical impact;
• no need for additional fittings;
• the possibility of laying pipes along the most advantageous path (due to bends);
• protection of wires from fire, because the pipe is made of non-combustible material.

It is important!
Corrugated pipes will help you install television, computer and telephone networks. The required diameter is selected in accordance with the thickness of the wire and the purpose of the device connected to them.

Open wiring with corrugated self-extinguishing material - optimal choice for home improvement wooden

Ease of installation is another feature of corrugated pipes. They are light, easy to transport and, being dielectrics, do not need to be grounded.

Rules for installing pipes for electrical wiring

Sealing of joints is carried out by means of fittings and couplings. Remember, the installation must be carried out so that the wires can be removed if necessary.

You often hear messages in the media mass media about fires due to short circuits. But if the owners of the premises complied with the requirements for laying electrical wiring and adhered to all fire safety standards, then most fires could have been avoided.

The cause of short circuits is most often the wear of the insulation of the electrical wiring due to mechanical damage or due to a large load on the wires.

Protect wires from external influences, high humidity of the room and protect against fire during short circuit pipes for electrical wiring.

Their types can be different.

Depending on the material, there are:

• steel pipes;
• plastic pipes(polypropylene (PP) smooth-walled and corrugated, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and products made of high and low pressure polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE))

Installation concealed wiring it is better to carry out using metal pipes for electrical wiring. PVC tubes do not always perform their protective functions well: mice and rats easily gnaw through them, exposing the strands of wires, which leads to a short circuit.

Pipes for electrical wiring made of metal

The most reliable and fireproof method of electrical installation is hidden gasket wiring in metal pipes.

The wall thickness of the product is selected depending on the size of the cross section of the wire. The wall thickness is not standardized only for copper conductors with a cross section of 2.5 mm 2, and for aluminum conductors with a cross section of 4 mm2.

The wall thickness of the metal pipe for electrical wires:

1. For aluminum conductors having a cross section of 6.0 mm 2, the wall thickness of the product must be at least 2.5 mm.
2. For conductors made of copper 4.0 mm2 and aluminum with a cross section of 10 mm2, a wall thickness of 2.8 mm is required.
3. For copper wires with a cross section of 6 mm2 to 10 mm2 and aluminum 16 mm2, 25 mm2, the wall thickness must be at least 3.2 mm.
4. For copper wires with a cross section of 16 mm 2 and aluminum - 35 mm 2, 50 mm 2 pipes with a wall thickness of 3.5 mm are selected.
5. For copper conductors with a cross section of 25 mm 2 - 35 mm 2 and aluminum 70 mm 2, the pipe wall thickness should be 4 mm.

It is forbidden to use steel pipes with walls up to 2 mm thick in damp rooms or for outdoor installations.

Steel products used for electrical wiring have three types of execution:

• used in explosive areas;
• water and gas pipes are used everywhere, except for explosive zones;
• thin-walled GOST 10704-76 * are used everywhere, except for explosion and fire hazardous areas, damp rooms and in places with a chemically active environment.

For electrical wiring in steel pipes, you must:

• make pipe blanks according to sketches in the workshop;
• complete pipe blanks into blocks and assemblies;
• clean the inner surface of the product and varnish it from the outside and from the inside, if pipes are laid in concrete, then they do not need to be painted on the outside, it is not necessary to paint either inside or outside galvanized pipes.

In dry and dust-free rooms, steel products without seals can be joined using sleeves and cuffs. A coupling with bells is made on a machine from pipe sections with flared bells. Thin-walled pipes can be connected with a threaded method using couplings for water and gas pipes.

Laying electrical wires in steel pipes is a rather laborious process, but in some cases it is simply impossible to provide sufficient protection for the electrical wiring or cable in some other way. For example, when installing hidden wiring in wooden houses only steel pipes should be used.

The pipe protects the wire from mechanical damage and from aggressive external environment.

When metal pipes are used for electrical wiring

In dry rooms, where there is no increased danger, thin-walled steel products with a cross section of 15-20 mm can be used for wiring, connected using sockets or couplings, a metal corrugated pipe for electrical wiring is also suitable for such a room.

In rooms with high humidity, for example, in saunas, baths, swimming pools, it is preferable to use water and gas pipes with a diameter of 15-80 mm, connected by threaded couplings with winding.

PVC pipes for electrical wiring and polyethylene pipes easier to mount than steel. You don't need any special skills to work with them. carried out using simple devices that anyone can learn to work with.

The technical characteristics of plastic products are constantly being improved. Now their use for protection of an electric wire becomes more and more popular.

Plastic pipes are:

• high corrosion resistance;
• low cost;
• light weight;
• high electrical insulating properties;
• smooth surface;
• moisture resistance;
• flexibility;
• durability.

In many respects, plastic pipes are superior to steel products.

But it also has its drawbacks.

Compared to steel products, plastic pipes are characterized by lower mechanical strength, not resistant to mechanical stress and shock loads.

There are many types of plastic pipes for electrical wiring: rigid, smooth, corrugated, reinforced. Each type has its own specific features that determine the further use of these products. For example, smooth-walled rigid pipes are used for laying wires in the walls of residential, industrial, administrative buildings. Their main task is to create the most reliable electrical wiring system.

Pipes for wiring produce smooth and corrugated. The corrugation process increases the rigidity of the product.

Plastic corrugated pipe is made from non-combustible material. Such products are indispensable for the installation of electrical wiring in false ceilings, raised floors or in hard-to-reach places. Corrugated plastic pipes for electrical wiring are light and heavy:

1. Corrugated lightweight pipes are used for concealed electrical wiring, which is laid on surfaces made of non-combustible materials. Pipes protect the cable from mechanical stress and protect against electric shock in case of damage to the insulation.
2. Corrugated heavy pipes are intended for laying concealed electrical wiring on surfaces made of non-combustible or slightly combustible materials. They are highly durable and can be used for wiring in a cement screed or under concrete pouring.

The advantage of using pipes when installing hidden electrical wiring is that the pipes allow you to replace the wire without destroying the wall or other surface.

Metal pipes are widely used for various purposes. At the same time, despite the most popular use of these products - for the transport of liquid media, they are still often used for electrical installation purposes. Particularly for wiring. They allow you to protect communications from mechanical damage and possible aggressive environments. There are a lot of metal products, in addition, plastic samples are now gaining popularity. However, we will still consider metal as a material for the manufacture of electrical wiring pipes.

Kinds

We have already determined the purpose of the pipes. Given the material, there are such varieties of these products:

Steel

This is a reliable and durable choice that has stood the test of time. There are, however, disadvantages associated with the complexity of installation and susceptibility to corrosion.

Before starting work, the sections must be cleaned. Bends are made at right angles. If two bends are needed, then the length of the metal pipe should not be more than five meters. In this case, care must be taken not to reduce the cross section.

The likelihood of corrosion will reduce this technique. Installation must be done with a slight slope towards the junction box. And do not forget about the equalization of forces, because steel is an excellent conductor. electric current. It is not necessary that the product receive an electrical potential.

Copper

Such a material has enough advantages to give preference to it, despite the high price. It is a plastic material, durable and resistant to corrosion. At the same time, such products are perfectly installed for electrical wiring. If external environment implies the presence of extreme temperatures, then the cables inside the pipe will have to be stripped. After all, copper has a high thermal conductivity.

The use of metal pipes in electrical wiring

This method of laying wires is effective in some situations. Typically, if available negative factors different nature: high humidity indoors, the probability of having chemical substances, fire safety requirements. If any of the indicated factors is present in the room at a low level, a thin-walled pipe with a diameter of about 2 cm can be used. They can be connected with threadless couplings, so it is not always necessary to use welding.

If, on the contrary, the level of danger is high, then a water-gas pipeline product with a diameter of 1.5 to 8 cm is suitable. The connection is also made using couplings, but in this case with a thread.

It should be noted that it will be quite difficult for an unprofessional person to install the entire system. Therefore, it is recommended to invite masters.

Do not forget, the material oxidizes, so it is worth choosing galvanized metal pipes. Otherwise, it is necessary to open them with asphalt varnish. Of course, this must be done if the wiring will not be done inside the walls. Otherwise, no processing is needed.

Installation

There are two ways how this is done:

1. With large pipes, a ball is inserted into them. But before that, talc is poured into it. And the ball is tied to a thread and blown out by a compressor.
2. With long pipes, you can skip the wire in them. It needs to be wired to.

Mounting is done with clamps open way. Mounting step - 3 m, as well as additionally at the bend. You can cut metal with a grinder and a hacksaw. Welding for cutting should not be used, as it will deprive the metal of some properties.

Summing up

Based on all of the above, one can right choice. After all, we considered not only the options for materials and their characteristics, but also a little installation. Therefore, having done everything with your own hands, you get high-quality and reliable electrical wiring.

The main cause of fires due to short circuits is the use of outdated wiring technology without protective pipes. If you are planning to renovate a room or house, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with modern requirements and security methods.

Scope of use of pipes for electrical wiring

Even 10-15 years ago, conductive wires were hidden in pipes only in cases where they needed to be protected from mechanical, chemical or thermal effects. Pipes were used to create a general entrance to the building, when laying cables in the ground at a shallow depth, and when electrifying buildings with high fire safety requirements.

According to modern building codes, all conductive cables, regardless of the thickness of the insulation and the cross section of the core, must be hidden in pipes of suitable diameter. This rule not only ensures the safety of the wiring, but also helps to avoid a fire in case of a short circuit. Pipes are used in warehouses, industrial buildings, residential individual and apartment buildings. An exception can only be rooms with open wiring and low fire safety requirements.

The main functions of pipes for electrical wiring:

• Protection of cables against mechanical shocks. The integrity of the wire hidden in the plaster can be violated when installing hanging shelves or creating a new opening in the wall. If the wire is in a pipe, the likelihood of this damage will be much lower.
• Protection of wiring from moisture. For example, if the apartment is flooded by neighbors from above, the wires laid in the ceiling will fall into a humid environment, and if they are not protected, then a short circuit may occur at the junctions and areas with broken insulation.
• Fire Prevention. The tube will not allow the fire to affect neighboring areas or significantly limit its intensity (depending on the material of the product). In wooden houses effective way delay the fire and enable the owners to prevent a fire.
• Ease of repair. If the wire leading to the outlet is damaged, it will not be necessary to ditch the walls to restore its operation. The master will simply disconnect its end in the junction box and, attaching the edge of the new cable to the free end, will stretch them to the outlet through the pipe. As a result, the old cable will be completely pulled out, and the new one will only need to be connected to the contacts. All work will take no more than 30-40 minutes and will cost ten times cheaper than reworking the entire wall.

Varieties of pipes

Pipes are divided depending on the material into metal (made of steel, copper, aluminum) and plastic (made of PVC, HDPE). Each of these materials can be used to make both smooth straight and corrugated pipes.

smooth steel

Steel pipes are a traditional, but the most time-consuming way to protect wiring from any mechanical influence, pollution, ultraviolet radiation. They are most often used when supplying electricity to a building, when crossing floors and wiring in the floor. V agriculture and industry, wiring in steel pipes is equipped in warehouses with fuel, lubricants, varnishes, acetone-containing substances and other explosive or flammable materials(according to GOST 3262–75).

Since such pipes are still considered the most reliable, GOST 10704–91 and GOST 10705–80 recommend installing them:

• in all types of children's institutions;
• attics of buildings of any purpose;
• in buildings of a cultural and entertainment nature;
• clinics and sanatoriums;
• in hot industrial shops;
• per suspended ceilings and in complex foundations for equipment.

In explosive premises, the line is laid in thick-walled pipes with internal galvanization and a socket-threaded connection. If there is only a risk of fire (no explosion), it is allowed to use thin-walled steel pipes, which are connected by sleeves and cuffs. But when it is necessary to protect the wires also from dust, harmful fumes or high humidity, you should choose pipes with a socket-threaded connection and a seal.

Since steel pipes are prone to corrosion, it is required to select products with protective coating or paint them with Kuzbasspack after installation. This painting needs to be updated every few years if the pipe is left outdoors. The product is also excellent for laying in the thickness of the wall under the plaster and in the floor in the screed.

Mounting Features

Sleeveless pipes can only be installed by an experienced welder with the appropriate level of approval. The bends of the pipeline are carried out by attaching complete corner elements (by welding or threading). The length of the section with two bends should not exceed 5 m, after which it is required to install a junction box.

The procedure for installing steel pipes for wiring:

1. cutting pipes, according to the sketch;
2. assembly of blanks into units and blocks;
3. cleaning the inner surface of pipes (if there is no galvanizing);
4. painting or varnishing pipes if they are laid outdoors;
5. step-by-step assembly of the system and insertion of wires inside.

Straight sections of open steel pipelines must be installed with a slope towards the junction box so that condensation and rainwater do not accumulate on the pipes.

Video: Creating Wiring with Smooth Steel Pipe

Advantages and disadvantages

Corrugated steel pipes

Such products differ from smooth steel pipes in that they are not welded, but are assembled from a strip using a movable joint. The resulting pipe has additional stiffeners, which further increases its resistance to transverse loads - up to 60 atmospheres and more. But due to the method of creation, it is more sensitive to tensile loads (with strong tension, the tape unfolds into a spiral).

Compared to smooth pipes, it is easier to install, as it does not require the use of corner elements. The tube itself bends in any desired direction, thin - even by 300 o. The corrugated pipe does not connect, it remains solid all the way from the connection point to the junction box, so the qualification of the installer can be much lower than in the case of a smooth counterpart.

In addition, steel corrugation is usually made from high-alloy steel, so it is not “afraid” of moisture, fungi, corrosion and does not require special care. As you can see, a corrugated steel pipe is free from all the shortcomings of a smooth one, but its price is much higher than that of plastic counterparts.

Video: Assembling a corrugated pipe using a threaded connector

Copper pipes

Copper pipes are similar in weight, mechanical resistance and many other characteristics to steel pipes. But they have much lower sensitivity to moisture and chemical regents, so copper and brass (copper-based alloy) products are used in rooms with a high content of water vapor: greenhouses, botanical gardens, car washes, baths. This option is characterized by the longest service life, but its price is high.

Since copper pipes look very attractive, designers use them to create exposed decorative wiring. Such a system looks especially impressive in combination with retro switches and copper, brass or bronze chandeliers (or their imitation). Due to the high weather resistance of copper, such wiring can also be used to decorate the facade of a building. A greenish-blue coating that gradually appears on the surface of the metal due to oxidation does not spoil appearance products, but only makes it more decorative.

Mounting Features

Copper pipes are not always connected with couplings; thin ones are simply bent at the right angle. Despite the increased (compared to steel) ductility of copper, only an experienced welder with equipment suitable for working with thin-walled products can install such a pipeline. Length restrictions straight section, bend radius and junction box arrangement are the same as steel.

plastic pipes

For laying electrical cables, smooth-walled and corrugated pipes made of different types plastic (PVC, HDPE, PVD). They differ in mechanical and thermal properties, but they also have a number of common features:

• Low weight for easy stacking, transport and storage. With a large number of pipes in buildings with weak wooden floors it is worth preferring plastic ones precisely because they load the structure of the house less than metal ones.
• Ease of installation. Even a beginner can cope with styling, since the process does not require welding work and not necessarily the use of connecting elements. To attach the pipe to the base, it is enough to snap it into a special plastic clip.
• Suitable for mounting cables without their own insulation. Metal pipes for this purpose are prohibited.
• Low coefficient of linear expansion. This means that when heated, the pipe practically does not increase its diameter, therefore, when laying a cable in the thickness of the wall, cracks do not appear in it.
• Low cost compared to metal counterparts.

Plastic pipes are allowed to be used for underwater cable laying.

Manufacturers produce hard, soft, reinforced and corrugated products for use in various conditions. For example, rigid ones are recommended for laying wiring under plaster.

Differences of plastic pipes for wiring

Video comparison of different types of plastic pipes

Plastic pipes are suitable for laying conductive cables, telephone, signaling and telecommunications both in residential buildings and in industrial and administrative buildings.

HDPE pipes are 6 times lighter than steel pipes.

Smooth plastic pipes

PVC products are produced with a length of 3 m with a diameter range from 16 mm to 50 mm, according to TU-6–19–215–83 (their characteristics are not regulated by GOSTs). Products are allowed to be used not only for laying hidden wiring in non-combustible materials, but also in low-combustible ones. That is, they can lay the attic wiring between the layers of stone wool.

PVC pipes do not need to be protected from corrosion, fungus, weak chemical oxidizers.

Not all PVC pipes are self-extinguishing. When buying, be sure to check the sample in the store.

Corrugated plastic pipes

Plastic corrugated pipes are offered in coils with a length of 25, 50, 100 and 200 meters. This makes it possible to create wiring without unnecessary connections, which increases the reliability of the system. But if the circuit is very complex, it is permissible to use couplings, bends, tees and swivel elbows.

Given the relatively low resistance of plastic to mechanical shock loads, corrugated pipes are recommended for laying in the thickness of a wall or in hard-to-reach places (for example, behind a stretch ceiling).

Selection of the diameter of the PVC pipe depending on the purpose

Features of the installation of plastic pipes

When laying a cable in a plastic pipe, it must be placed at least 10 cm below the heating pipe in order to prevent heating of the conductive wire. If these elements are not laid in parallel, but intersect at one point, the difference in height should be at least 5 cm.

Light corrugation cannot be poured with concrete, it is deformed from pressure. Look for tough.

In wet rooms, the connection points of the pipe to the junction box must be sealed.

Hiding the wire connection inside the plastic pipe is unacceptable. If the cable is shorter than necessary, a junction box is placed at the junction.

For grounding and grounding of wires, special jumpers and nuts are used.

When cutting the plastic corrugation, be careful not to scratch your hands with the wire stretched inside.

Installation of smooth plastic pipes: video instruction

Choosing pipes for installation in different conditions

It is necessary to take into account:

1. Pipe diameter. The wider the socket, the thicker the wire can be laid in the pipe.
2. Material density/wall thickness. Thin-walled pipes are used only in areas with low mechanical loads.
3. The length of the segments (required and production). If the circuit has a large number of straight segments longer than 3 meters, it will be more economical to use a corrugation.
4. Possibility of bending. A large number of turns will require the installer to solder/weld a lot of connecting elements. The use of corrugations will be easier to work with and cheaper.
5. Product weight. If in an old house it is important not to overload the floors, it is better to prefer plastic.

Selection of a metal pipe depending on the material and wire section

An important role in the choice of pipes is played by the operating conditions of the system:

• Underground communications. In such conditions, the mechanical resistance of the product, water resistance and the possibility of sealing are put in the first place. building regulations it is allowed to use double-walled plastic corrugated pipes with a diameter of up to 20 cm for underground cable laying. Thicker cables are laid in hardware. A steel pipe for such wiring should have a wall thickness of 2 mm or more. If there is a possibility of cable damage sharp object(for example, the cable passes under the flower bed in the country), you should choose steel pipe with a protective coating and internal galvanization, and when connecting, use sealing gaskets.
• Wet rooms. In such cases, it is necessary to ensure complete sealing of the cable and at the same time select pipes that are resistant to moisture. For this situation, smooth plastic pipes are recommended, which are fused with the connecting elements into one piece (as in a water pipe).
• Buildings with increased fire safety. Here leading role plays the resistance of the pipe to fire. For maximum security we recommend choosing thick-walled metal pipes with threaded connectors.
• Living spaces. Since there are a lot of electrical appliances in a residential building, ease of installation and compact wiring are very important here. PVC corrugation meets these requirements best of all. This option has sufficient resistance to fire and mechanical stress for residential premises.

If after reading the article something remains unclear, we recommend entrusting the work to an experienced installer and buying materials with him. Tem. who is going to do the installation on their own, we recommend that you carefully measure the room at home and perform the necessary calculations together with a consultant in an electrical goods store.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has excellent technical specifications, due to which pipes from it are extremely in demand in construction. PVC pipes for electrical wiring fully comply with the requirements for this type of product when laying electrical networks: they provide easy installation, the ability to replace the cable if necessary, reliable insulation and even aesthetics. What other advantages PVC pipes have for laying cables, what varieties are on the market, and how to install them when arranging power supply, you can learn from our article.

Characteristics of electrical PVC pipes

The electrical pipe is made of self-extinguishing polyvinyl chloride and high and low pressure polyethylene. These materials are endowed with technical characteristics that allow the installation of pipes of this type to create cable support systems. Besides pvc pipe electrical serves as an additional layer of insulation for the cable, provides fire resistance and protection of wiring from mechanical damage.

Advantages

PVC pipes have a number of undeniable advantages:

• durable: they have initial strength, are not subject to corrosion, are resistant to wet and aggressive environments, to ultraviolet radiation;
• hygienic and environmentally friendly;
• easy to install: light, easy to saw, glue, solder;
• have a low coefficient of deformation;
• do not carry a significant load on the structure;
• provide (with appropriate accessories) complete tightness, in which the cable is reliably protected from dust and moisture;
• practical: they low price, during operation, their coloring and other maintenance are not required.

In addition, the installation of the cable with their use is carried out quickly and efficiently, this is facilitated by the absence of roughness on the inner wall of the pipe. Such systems are practical in operation, since the replacement of electrical wiring in them is carried out without the need to open the trench and dismantle the ceiling.

Thanks to these qualities, PVC pipes for cable laying have no alternative today. They are an indispensable component of power supply systems and are successfully used in the construction of residential, industrial and administrative facilities.

The PVC electrical pipe is non-combustible, it has the highest fire safety category among polymer counterparts.

Varieties

PVC electrical pipes are usually divided into two main categories:

1. smooth hard (smooth-walled);
2. corrugated (flexible corrugated pipes).

Rigid PVC pipe for cable is mainly applied outside building structures, corrugated pipe - when laying electrical supply systems inside ceilings (under plaster, in floor screed, etc.).

Also, their classification is determined according to GOST 18599-83, which distinguishes 4 categories of electrical pipes:

• T - heavy;
• C - medium;
• SL - medium-light;
• N - non-standard.

They can be produced with different diameters: 8 ÷ 250 mm; with different wall thicknesses and in different colors.

Corrugated PVC pipe with a cable pulling probe deserves special attention. The main feature of this model is the presence of a special rigid steel wire, which greatly facilitates the process of mounting the wire inside the cable support system.

The corrugated pipe is attached to the bearing planes with the help of special latches-clips, which are easily detached if it is necessary to change the direction of the cables or move part of the wiring to another place.

Cable installation in PVC pipe

Use of accessories

The advantage of laying cables in PVC pipes (compared to metal pipes) is obvious:

• PVC electric pipe is cheaper;
• does not require grounding;
• under normal operation can serve up to 50 years;
• can be operated at temperatures from -25 to + 70 0 С;
• do not form and do not accumulate condensate;
• do not require expensive welding;
• do not require maintenance.

In addition, when using these pipes, the project is significantly cheaper, because insulation for PVC pipes is not needed, it itself plays the role of protection, therefore the cable can also be used in a lightweight design.

For open wiring (walls, ceilings), according to current standards, a smooth PVC pipe is used for the cable, a corrugated pipe is used for laying the cable inside structures made of fireproof materials.

When arranging power supply on wooden and other combustible bases, only metal pipes or a metal hose should be used!

For implementation quality installation it is recommended to use additional accessories that are selected based on the diameter and model of the pipe. These include tees, connectors, turns, crosses, dowel-ties, clips, etc. Consultants of the department of electrical products will help you pick up all the necessary details.

Mounting technology

The installation process looks like this:

1. Carry out the marking of the future placement of pipes with electrical cables. At the same time, the distance from the heating elements must be at least 0.5 m so that the cables do not heat up. Also note the location of the shield boxes.
2. Determine right amount fasteners at the rate of 1 fastener for every 10-15 cm of pipe.
3. Everyone cooks necessary elements and check if the voltage in the mains does not exceed the value of 1500 V.
4. If necessary, cut the products into sections of the desired length.
5. They prepare products - level the wires, if necessary, clean the inner surface of the pipes.
6. The cable is pulled through the elements of the pipeline, and then its sections are mounted in accordance with the diagram.

Installation PVC pipe must be carried out with a slope in order to avoid the accumulation of condensate in it.

1. Fasten the pipeline at regular intervals in accordance with the markup.
2. Shield boxes are installed in which the cables to be laid are connected into nodes.
3. Check the reliability of the insulation between the laid wires.

Installation subtleties

A smooth or corrugated pipe for electrical wiring is laid taking into account the following important points:

• When installing pipes in the floor or brick wall use metal brackets, fill the system only after it is securely fixed.
• When passing the pipe from the floor to the wall or when it enters the cavity of the plate, use special corrugated connectors.
• Do not allow the formation of creases, this will make it difficult to pull the cable later.
• Always use solid pieces of pipe to connect two points in a straight line.
• When biting the broach with a side cutter, do not let the wire go inside the pipe, you will have to get it out by making an additional incision on the pipe.
• If there is no special probe in the pipe kit, use an elastic metal or nylon broach. It must first be launched into the pipe, and then the cable tied to it must be pulled.
• The wires must be prepared for pulling, for this they must be fastened with PVC tape in several places.
• To prevent the harness from slipping, it is necessary to securely connect it to the broach. To do this, the wire is wrapped around the bundle and pulled together with pliers. Cable ends must not stick out different sides, otherwise it will not be possible to carry out the broach.

It is more convenient to pull the cable with two people. If you do the work alone, then the broach must be securely attached to the main structure.

The main purpose of the corrugated pipe is the laying of internal cable systems, but some models can be used for outdoor underground installation. Such models are double-walled corrugated pipes with a diameter of up to 200 mm.

Standard PVC pipe for cable is used not only for laying electric power cable, but also for laying low-voltage cables: telecommunication, telephone, communication and signaling cables.