What Metal Conduit Does Canada Use

The metal conduit used in Canada strictly follows the * * Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) * * specification, with the core implementation of CSA C22.2 No.18.3 pipe fitting standard. Due to the high degree of coordination between the US and Canada electrical standards, the mainstream types are in line with the US but have local installation rules. EMT and RMC are the core models, LFMC is a flexible matching, and IMC is less commonly used (Canada does not separately recognize its dedicated pipe fittings). At the same time, there are exclusive materials and protection requirements for extreme cold, coastal corrosion, industrial strong impact and other scenarios. The following are the types, characteristics, application scenarios and local specification requirements of the local mainstream metal conduit, with selection focus attached:

1、 Core rigid metal conduit (for industrial/commercial use, accounting for over 80%)

This type of pipe is a hard structure that focuses on fire resistance, impact resistance, and electromagnetic shielding. It is a mandatory/preferred choice for commercial buildings, industrial plants, and fire wiring in Canada. It is made of hot-dip galvanized technology substrate and is suitable for the local environment characteristics of low temperature and corrosion.

1. EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) electrical metal conduit

Material: Thin walled hot-dip galvanized cold-rolled steel strip (mainly made of steel, with a small amount of aluminum), weighing only 40% of the same specification RMC, with no thread design;

Core features: Lightweight and easy to bend, high construction efficiency, rust proof galvanized layer foundation, in compliance with CEC Rule 12-1402 standard, suitable for both exposed and concealed installation;

Local installation requirements: No additional anti-corrosion is required for pre embedded concrete, and asphalt/PVC coating protection is required for underground burial/contact with slag; Aluminum EMT is strictly prohibited from being directly embedded in concrete containing chlorides (such as seawater and sea sand mix proportions), and must be coated with anti-corrosion coating before use;

Application scenarios: Commercial building corridors/computer rooms, non corrosive areas of industrial plants, public areas of high-rise residential buildings, mainstream specifications of 1/2 "(16mm) and 3/4" (20mm), are the most widely used metal conduit in Canada.

2. RMC (Rigid Metal Conduit) rigid metal conduit

Material: Thick walled hot-dip galvanized steel pipe (regular version), 304/316 stainless steel pipe (anti-corrosion version), aluminum pipe (lightweight version), fully threaded design, with the highest mechanical strength;

Core features: Provides the highest level of mechanical protection, impact resistance, compression resistance, galvanized version can be directly buried/in contact with soil, only requires PVC/asphalt coating in low resistivity corrosive soil (<2000 ohm cm);

Local installation requirements: When embedding in a permanent wet slag layer, it is necessary to wrap it with at least 5cm slag free concrete or bury it at a depth of not less than 45cm; all joints must be equipped with concrete sealed fittings (dry area)/rainproof fittings (wet area);

Application scenarios: Outdoor exposed installation, chemical workshops, coastal high salt spray areas, underground highly corrosive environments, fire strong electrical wiring. Stainless steel is the preferred choice for coastal provinces such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia in Canada.