Magnetic vs Non-magnetic conduits

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shortcircuit1

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Hello,

This might be a dumb question to ask but i m in process of learning...

How can you differentiate magnetic vs non magnetic conduit just by looking at it?

And what are the applications where we use magnetic and non magnetic conduits?

Thanks in advance for answering...
 
shortcircuit1 said:
Hello,

This might be a dumb question to ask but i m in process of learning...

How can you differentiate magnetic vs non magnetic conduit just by looking at it?

And what are the applications where we use magnetic and non magnetic conduits?

Thanks in advance for answering...
Click to expand...

"Magnetic" conduits are made of steel; i.e. ferric (containing iron). "Non-magnetic" conduits are made from aluminum and various plastics.


SceneryDriver
 
GoldDigger said:
Some stainless steel alloys are also non magnetic.
Instead of looking, use a magnet.

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I wish i can use magnet but the project i m working on has so many conduits its hard to do that...

Are there any limitations on where to use Magnetic and Non magnetic conduits?
 
shortcircuit1 said:
I wish i can use magnet but the project i m working on has so many conduits its hard to do that...

Are there any limitations on where to use Magnetic and Non magnetic conduits?
Click to expand...

The only reason to prefer magnetic (more properly ferromagnetic) conduits would be to partially shield the magnetic field generated by the current in the wires inside the conduit. As long as the wires carry balanced current (zero net seen by a clamp ammeter around all of the wires), there will not be a very big magnetic field at a distance anyway.
The reason to prefer non-magnetic would be if you are using one of the code exceptions (such as underground isophase) to carry unbalanced current and do not want the additional circuit impedance of the choke effect. The place where this effect is most significant is when putting a GEC inside a raceway or sheath.
 
There are very few applications where magnetic conduit can't be used. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging suites in hospitals is the only one that comes immediately to mind. But there are places where thinwall galvanized steel conduit isn't appropriate -- brutal places such as factories, hazardous places such as refineries, and corrosive environments such as pools, marinas & underground. But it's not its magnetic nature that makes it inappropriate.

There are likewise very few applications where magnetic conduit must be used. Nothing comes to mind, maybe radio-astronomy telescopes and other specialized laboratories with equipment that's highly sensitive to electromagnetic fields. A few eccentric customers might specify it to rest easier amid the hysteria surrounding the myth of human electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Stainless-steel and aluminum conduit look different than galvanized -- a more-uniform surface color & sheen -- because they're not plated, and the weight of aluminum is distinctly less than either stainless or zinc-plated steel. That, and they're usually labeled.
 
GoldDigger said:
The only reason to prefer magnetic (more properly ferromagnetic) conduits would be to partially shield the magnetic field generated by the current in the wires inside the conduit. As long as the wires carry balanced current (zero net seen by a clamp ammeter around all of the wires), there will not be a very big magnetic field at a distance anyway.
The reason to prefer non-magnetic would be if you are using one of the code exceptions (such as underground isophase) to carry unbalanced current and do not want the additional circuit impedance of the choke effect. The place where this effect is most significant is when putting a GEC inside a raceway or sheath.
Click to expand...

Thank you..That cleared up my question...:)
 
drcampbell said:
There are very few applications where magnetic conduit can't be used. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging suites in hospitals is the only one that comes immediately to mind. But there are places where thinwall galvanized steel conduit isn't appropriate -- brutal places such as factories, hazardous places such as refineries, and corrosive environments such as pools, marinas & underground. But it's not its magnetic nature that makes it inappropriate.

There are likewise very few applications where magnetic conduit must be used. Nothing comes to mind, maybe radio-astronomy telescopes and other specialized laboratories with equipment that's highly sensitive to electromagnetic fields. A few eccentric customers might specify it to rest easier amid the hysteria surrounding the myth of human electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Stainless-steel and aluminum conduit look different than galvanized -- a more-uniform surface color & sheen -- because they're not plated, and the weight of aluminum is distinctly less than either stainless or zinc-plated steel. That, and they're usually labeled.
Click to expand...

Thank you..Cleared up my question...:thumbsup::)
 
A 400 HZ power supply I worked on some years ago, speced non ferrous, or non metallic, conduits for the 208V 400 HZ output.
 
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