One of the most common questions we receive at American Conduit is, “What is the difference between EMT and rigid conduit?” It’s understandable to ask this question if you haven’t used conduit very often. We have a team of experts who have the answers to this and any other question you may have. If you’re not sure what kind of conduit, or what size of conduit, is best for your specific application, we’ll be more than happy to tell you.
Here’s a quick look at how EMT and rigid conduit differ. You’ll also learn why, regardless of what kind of conduit you need, aluminum will always be the better choice versus steel.
EMT
EMT (electrical metallic tubing) is a good alternative when it comes to keeping wires and cables from being damaged. It has thin walls that make it very easy to run wiring through, and is best used for indoor applications. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used outdoors in some circumstances. The main thing to remember is that all clamps and fittings for EMT conduit have to be made of materials that resist corrosion.
Rigid Conduit
As the name implies, rigid conduit is much more rugged and durable. It’s built for challenging environments, both indoors and out. The walls of rigid conduit are much thicker than EMT, and, as a result, will cost more. But if you need to lay conduit in an area that tends to experience extreme weather, rigid conduit will be more than worth the cost.
Why Does Aluminum Beat Steel at Every Turn?
You’ve probably done quite a bit of research into conduit, and you may run across claims that steel should be the only conduit material you ever consider. We’re here to tell you that’s flat out wrong – aluminum is a lot better. These are just a few of the many, many reasons.
- Strength and durability – Aluminum is 30 percent lighter than steel. You may assume, then, that aluminum can’t possibly be as strong. At American Conduit, we treat our steel with special alloys that make our conduit just as strong as steel. If you’re in a cold climate, you really shouldn’t consider any other material. Bitterly cold temperatures actually make aluminum even stronger – steel conduit becomes brittle when it gets cold, potentially exposing cables and wires to a great deal of damage.
- Ease of use – You can use the tools you have to cut and bend aluminum. With steel conduit, on the other hand, you need special, expensive equipment.
- Safety – Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. That means you’ll never have to worry about your workers handling aluminum conduit on hot days – unlike steel, which can be dangerous to touch when the temperatures rise to scorching proportions.
- Cost – Because aluminum weighs so much less than steel, you won’t pay nearly as much on materials or shipping. You also won’t have to pay as much for labor because you won’t need as many workers to carry aluminum conduit.
If You Have Questions, We’re Ready to Answer Them
Hopefully you now know the answer to the question of, “What is the difference between EMT and rigid conduit?” We also hope you now realize why you should always turn to aluminum for your conduit needs. Learn more by contacting American Conduit online or by calling 1-800-334-6825.