The proper organization and storage of the electrical cables installed in your house or office is extremely important. If you don’t pay attention to this, your wiring system might get damaged and pose a serious threat to the people living inside.
There are a lot of options available when it comes to choosing an electrical cable containment system. There are also so many factors to consider before you make this important decision. The decision you make is typically influenced by things like visibility, primary use, material, and aesthetics of the wire-enclosing system you pick.
In this article, we will have a detailed look at two of the most common systems for enhancing cable organization and safety namely Trunking and Conduit. We will discuss what makes these different from each other and what are the benefits of using either of these cable storage options so stay with us till the end.
What is Trunking?
Trunking is a rectangular or square-shaped enclosure with a lid that is used to protect electrical cables. This type of cable protection system is mostly used in commercial or industrial settings where a very high volume of cables is needed to be carried around very large spaces.
Trunking gives you the freedom of accessibility and extension. You can easily attach new wiring to the existing trunking by simply drilling a hole in the preferred side and making the connection.
Types of Trunking
Following are a few main trunking types that you need to know:
Cable Trunking: This type of trunking involves the use of a lid that is kept in its place using turnbuckles.
Bus-bar Trunking: It uses copper and aluminium to protect electrical wires and their related components.
Lighting Trunking: In this trunking type, the opening is placed so that it faces downward. It has many applications in luminaries.
Multi-Compartment Trunking: This type of trunking is commonly used in places where there is a need to separate different voltages and wires that serve different purposes.
Advantages of Trunking
- This wiring system makes maintenance and alterations easier.
- It has a longer life.
- Keeps the wiring safe from dust, damage, and humidity.
- It gives your wiring a clean and organized appearance.
- Cable trunking allows for scalability and flexibility.
- It prevents interference of electrical signals.
What is a Conduit?
A conduit is typically in the shape of a tube, pipe, or channel that covers wires and protects them from mechanical damage. The best thing about this wiring solution is that it can be rewired and changed at any time. Unlike floor trunking systems, Conduits are mostly embedded within your walls and ceilings which limits accessibility. However, it adds an extra layer of protection to your electrical wiring system thus increasing its lifespan.
Types of Conduits
Following are the main conduit types that are most commonly used
Steel Conduits Systems
This conduit system is known for its durability, affordability, and ease of rewiring. Steel systems, particularly the hot dip galvanized steel conduits come with a very heavy gauge and a welded seam. This makes them ideal for use in external installations and damp environments.
PVC Conduits
These conduits are extremely durable which is why they are used under concrete, lime, and plaster surfaces. PVC can withstand long exposure to aggressive soils, fungi, acids, bacteria, and pests making it an ideal choice in residential settings.
Advantages of Conduits
- Offers high resistance against corrosion and moisture.
- This wire-enclosing system is waterproof.
- It is typically hidden which gives your space a better appearance.
- Reduced risks of mechanical wear and tear.
- Provides protection against chemicals.
- Alternation is simple and easy.
- Reduced risks of electrical shocks.
Differences Between Trunking and Conduits
Primary Usage
Trunking is mostly used in office settings, data centers, telecommunication, and industrial applications where multiple cables are bundled together and need to be managed and stored.
Conduits, on the other hand, are used in small business and residential settings where there is no need to change their placement often. Since these are embedded within the walls, floors, or ceilings, conduits give your wires more protection than cable trunking systems that are always exposed to the external environment.
Visibility
Trunking systems are often surface-mounted. They are used in places where maintenance and reconfiguration of the wiring are needed often. This makes this wire-protecting solution more visible than conduits.
Conduits are usually concealed within other structures like walls, ceilings, or floors making them less accessible.
Materials
You can find trunking in metal, plastic, and even wood materials. The choice of materials depends on the usage requirements.
Conduits are usually made from PVC, metals, or other durable materials that do not get damaged easily.
Aesthetics
Trunking as we have said before is a visible system and that sometimes can affect the aesthetics of the place where it is used negatively. Conduits, on the other hand, give your space a more polished and uniform look by keeping wires entirely out of your sight.
Price
Trunking is usually made from heavy-duty materials and its installation requires professional skills and knowledge. This makes this particular wire-enclosing solution quite expensive.
Conduits are easier to install and you don’t need advanced electrical knowledge to use these in your house. You can hire a contractor with the basic knowledge of electrical wiring to do this job which is a lot cheaper.
Conclusion
So, this is all you need to know about trunking and conduit systems for properly hiding the electrical wires in your property. Both of these options have their benefits and you need to consider all of these and then pick one that feels right to you.
Trunking is more suitable in places where there is a high level of electricity usage and you need more durability. On the other hand, conduits give you more flexibility in terms of cost and installation which makes them ideal for residential settings.
You can contact us to discover a wide variety of cable management solutions, solar mounting structures, and structural steel manufacturing both for residential and commercial applications in UAE.
