Precabled conduit: which solution is convenient between finished product or do-it-yourself?

The electrical system and its installation are among the most time-consuming activities on a construction site and among the most risky for the insiders.

In particular, inserting the cables inside the corrugated tube is a process that requires time and considerable attention, to ensure efficient insertion without damage.

Is there an alternative that allows you to get a better job while saving time and money, while ensuring greater security?
The answer is yes: it is the precabled conduit.

It is a corrugated conduit in which the electric cable is already inserted, or more than one according to the specific needs, which therefore allows you to completely avoid the DIY wiring phase.

Let’s now look in detail at the difference between the two solutions, taking into consideration the laying of the electrical installation in a standard dwelling (about 80 square meters).

DIY solution vs finished product

 

Implementation of the electrical system with DIY wiring.

The execution phases are mainly:

• tracing the walls and ceilings where the pipes will be inserted and where the recessed boxes are placed for the housing of sockets and switches
• breaking the wall to obtain the opening in which to insert pipes, boxes and boxes
• positioning of junction boxes and fixing them with cement
• insertion of the pipes inside the hole practiced and connection to the various recessed boxes previously positioned
• covering the pipes with cement mortar
• phase of wiring in which the cables are inserted into the conduit previously positioned in the wall.
  The cable is inserted through with the help of a probe and with the help of lubricant to better favor the passage inside the conduit. In this phase it is advisable to have two workers in order to avoid possible damage to the insulation of the cables during the wiring
• connecting the cables to the sockets, switches and other devices present, remembering to peel accurately and carefully so as not to damage the wires
• connection to the general framework of the various cables

Total time spent: about 14 days of work with two insiders. In detail, cable pulling takes around 28 hours, which translates into four working days.

 

Realization of the electrical system with precabled conduit

in this second case, the phases differ:

• tracing on walls and ceiling
• Breaking the wall
• positioning and fixing the junction boxes
• insertion of the precabled conduit in the wall and connection to the junction boxes
• cover the pipes with cement
• connection of cables to devices
• connection to the general framework

Total time spent: less than 12 days, in which the work of laying the pipes and that of the cables coincide, allowing savings in time and labor, as the work can be carried out safely even by a single operator. In detail, the work (with precabled conduit) takes about 15 hours, halving the working days required for this phase.

The results

The total wiring time on site is 28 hours. The counterpart, with the precabled conduit requires 15 hours, guaranteeing an immediate saving of 13 hours that can be used in other activities.
The first advantage is obvious: the solution obtained with the finished product allows a considerable saving of time thanks to the fact that one of the longest phases of the whole electrical installation process is skipped completely.
The second benefit is the guarantee of a job in safety: in fact, the precabled conduit must not be handled by the workers except in the moment of connection with the general panels and the appliances installed.
The third advantage is given by the guarantee that the cables inside the pipe are intact and fully functional, while in the wiring phase the wire could be damaged, without taking in consideration the debris and the dirt that could be inserted inside the conduit compromising the effectiveness of the product.

Finally, but a fundamental advantage, it is the savings: the cost of the finished material is slightly higher than the do-it-yourself version, but is largely recovered later in terms of time and staff employed, which generate an important cost. Indirectly, it also saves on the cost of tools for the wiring.

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