In your country, do you use pipe to run wire through very much?

[Dustydazzler]

If new builds in the U.K. were required to be wired using galvanise conduit the price of wiring a new build house would sky rocket...
probably double if not triple the per unit price to wire them...
the only real advantage To using conduit in a house would be in 60 years time when it comes to rewiring them would be a piece of cake...

 

[telectrix]

If new builds in the U.K. were required to be wired using galvanise conduit the price of wiring a new build house would sky rocket...
probably double if not triple the per unit price to wire them...
the only real advantage To using conduit in a house would be in 60 years time when it comes to rewiring them would be a piece of cake...

yes but UK regs. for new builds are slap it in any old how, cover it up, next job. and that's everything, not just electrics.

 

[Dustydazzler]

yes but UK regs. for new builds are slap it in any old how, cover it up, next job. and that's everything, not just electrics.

rough as a badgers in most cases, I know a sparks / plumber Handyman guy who does Some work for one of the big developers and his work rough as ----.
he can lash in cable and polypipe so badly it would make you cry.
i foolishly got him to do some plumbing for me last year and all the joints leaked the day after he left... utter shambles

 

[pc1966]

This is a photo off the web of home being built in the Chicago area, Chicago, & a number of it's suburbs only allow EMT when wiring homes, no flexible wiring methods like NM cable, AKA "Romex®", MC, Metal Clad cable, or AC, Armored Cable. The claim is that it is a result of the Chicago fire, but is more likely make work rules forced by unions.

That is a nice looking building going up!

I can kind of see the point, EMT is pretty flame containing and it makes inspection easy (EMT yes/no?, not Hmm, is this cable of one of the approved types for this circuit?) but it also looks like a bit of a power-grab by the union, and other cables are quite safe when used appropriately. Still, hopefully least to higher standards than often seen in new builds.

The other think is how often is it fixed wiring that is at fault? I would expect it is the appliances and their flex that cause most fires.

Also another odd difference that I heard from @Megawatt is that USA generally has its GFCI/AFCI at the outlets, where as in the UK/Europe it is normal to have them at the breaker board so they protect the fixed wiring from faults (or limit the risk to DIYers drilling walls for a new shelf) as well as attached equipment.

 

[freddo]

This is a photo off the web of home being built in the Chicago area

I like that. I'm sure If EMT was available here we would use conduit more. The screwed steel we have here is a bit 'heavy duty' for regular use. I did install some more 25 and 32mm galv today, yes I measured out all the bends.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I like that. I'm sure If EMT was available here we would use conduit more. The screwed steel we have here is a bit 'heavy duty' for regular use. I did install some more 25 and 32mm galv today, yes I measured out all the bends.

I tend to agree , if we had a lighter gauge steel conduit which could be easily bent with a hand bender and Used grub screw couplers (No more threading) then way more jobs would be done in conduit

 

[Mike Johnson]

I tend to agree , if we had a lighter gauge steel conduit which could be easily bent with a hand bender and Used grub screw couplers (No more threading) then way more jobs would be done in conduit

Sounds like a business opportunity there, unfortunately in this rush rush world it would certainly slow the job down and would end up like all good ideas.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Sounds like a business opportunity there, unfortunately in this rush rush world it would certainly slow the job down and would end up like all good ideas.

i would certainly try to use it where possible, but as you say it will still be slower than throwing in T&e.
probably why Micc isn’t used as much These days , it takes time to prepare the ends which just adds to the labour costs.
in amErica & Canada they also use a lot of MC cable (looks a bit like a shower hose) but we don’t seem to use that either and I’m not sure why we don’t...

 

[Mike Johnson]

I don't know about cable, but flexible steel conduit is available: LOflex 20mm Galvanised Flexible Steel Conduit - 10Mtr - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LFLS20slash10.html

 

[Dustydazzler]

MC is all prewired and available in various sizes , it’s in effect their version of swa,.
its a lot quicker to install than swa thou , you simply strip off the outer sheath using a special tool and it terminates into a box with a simple push in gland like we do with kopex...
[automerge]1599198636[/automerge]

[automerge]1599198679[/automerge]
Brief video on using mc / ac prewired flex conduit

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8517_Yg7xs4