Copper has been the preferred material for residential and commercial water pipes since the post-World War II era. Copper is a simple metal to work with in both manufacture and installation. In comparison to lead, which has been used for millennia, it is also a healthier substance for transporting water.
Copper pipe is strong, light, and long-lasting, but it is not without flaws. Pinhole leaks and leaching are common.
Copper Leaching Into Water
Copper leaching into drinking and other household water is a minimal danger with copper pipes. However, it is corrosion, not the pipes, that causes leaching.
Corrosion is the breakdown of copper in non-scientific terminology. As the copper ages, “Particles are released (leached) into the water flowing through the pipe when it “dissolves.”
The pH of pure water is 7.
Water is termed acidic if the pH falls below 6.5 “Soft.”
Calcium and magnesium are in short supply in soft water. Soft water does not form calcium deposits within pipes, which is one of its advantages. It can, however, cause copper to oxidize. A blue hue is a telltale indicator of corroded copper.
Alkaline water has a pH of 8.5 or higher “Difficult.” Hard water contains a lot of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium carbonates.
You’ve probably experienced the disadvantages of hard water if you’ve ever had lime scale build up inside your kettle. This type of deposit can build up inside copper pipes and lead to corrosion.
The greater the amount of undissolved oxygen in water, the greater the risk of copper pipes corroding.
All water, of course, contains oxygen (H20). When the water is cold, though, the oxygen remains dissolved. The more oxygen that can be dissolved in the water, the hotter it becomes “It will “float away” and attach itself to copper, oxidizing it.
Is it possible to run Romex through copper pipe?
Water and electricity lines should be separated by at least 12 inches, while sewage and electrical lines should be separated by at least 24 inches. These figures, however, solely apply to commercial building. Residential building codes are more lax, which means you can just put plumbing and electricity via the same hole for residential buildings.
When running the lines, follow the same guidelines as when running a gas line with plumbing, namely, that the wire be well insulated all around. This can be done in a sheath, as with Romex and other NM cables, or in a raceway if the wiring is single, as with TW, THW, THHN/THWN, and so on.
Furthermore, a copper pipe should not be utilized for electric wires under any circumstances – especially if it is being used for sewage or fresh water plumbing. Although there is no particular code prohibiting the use of copper wire for electrical wires, there is a compelling rationale for doing so.
When electric current runs, it creates a magnetic field around itself, ionizing the copper pipes in the process. These ionized copper pipes have a charge of their own, which means that if you touch them barefoot, you’re sure to get a shock.
Imagine having an inspector come over and getting a shock when he touches the wire copper pipe. That would be something, wouldn’t it?
You can just take a drill bit or a space and drill a few holes in such a way that they overlap each other, depending on where you need to fix the wire. After that, you should be able to pass the wire through any surface without difficulty. You’re essentially creating a conduit for the wire to flow through by drilling many holes. Drilling and passing the cord should take no more than 5 minutes.
In an ideal world, you’d never have to run electricity through the same hole twice. Wires will be wrapped around the pipes instead, and a separate hole will be bored and insulated separately. However, just because the holes aren’t the same doesn’t rule out the possibility of a catastrophe.
When plumbing pipes rupture which happens rather frequently water is sprayed all over the place. If it bursts at the right place, the wire will be exposed to the water, which can lead to calamity. This means that the purpose of running electrics and plumbing is to reduce harm rather than to entirely eliminate it.
Tested for Pressure
One of the most significant distinctions between plumbing PVC pipe (here) and PVC electrical conduit is that PVC pipes are pressure tested, but PVC conduit is not. As a result, PVC pipe and PVC conduit are not interchangeable. Pipes that have been tested and rated for pressure must be utilized since plumbing piping systems must be able to handle water pressure in order to be functional and work effectively. Plumbing PVC pipe has a pressure rating printed on it. PVC conduit isn’t permitted for use in plumbing since it hasn’t been pressure tested, increasing the risk of leakage.
Wall Thickness
Another difference you’ll notice between PVC pipe and PVC conduit is the thickness of the pipe’s wall. The wall thickness of plumbing PVC pipe is usually thicker than that of PVC conduit. Because plumbing PVC is utilized in areas where pressure is a factor, the increased thickness assures that the pipe will withstand bending and will remain undamaged and intact. Because conduit PVC isn’t required to endure as much pressure, it doesn’t have thick walls it wouldn’t be cost-effective for manufacturers to do so.
Color
The color of the pipes is the most visible distinction between conventional PVC and electrical PVC. Plumbing PVC pipe is often white, while electrical conduit PVC is typically gray. These are the standard colors, but you may also purchase PVC pipes that have had chemical additives added during the manufacturing process to produce a variety of colors. Schedule 80 PVC piping is gray in color, similar to PVC conduit piping, however it is a plumbing pipe, comparable to the white Schedule 40 PVC piping. As a result, Schedule 80 pipes should not be used as a conduit for electrical wires.
Read our post about the differences between Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 plumbing PVC pipes if you’re interested in learning more.
Weatherproof Tested
Because plumbing PVC is typically used indoors or underground, it is not UV-rated. UV rays are detrimental to this type of PVC, making it unsuitable for use on rooftops or in other situations where it may be exposed to the elements. When exposed to the elements, it can become brittle and break. Electrical conduit PVC, on the other hand, has been tested and rated for UV exposure, making it appropriate for outdoor waterproofing applications such as running electrical cables across rooftops or up the sides of buildings.
Applications
While PVC plumbing pipe and PVC electrical conduit are similar, they are not suitable for each other’s applications. They’ve been designed to fulfill a variety of objectives.
The major purpose of PVC pipe is to be used in plumbing applications, which is why it is pressure tested. It works well in drainage, water, and ventilation systems. PVC pipe is also frequently found in sewage systems. It should not be used in locations where it will be exposed to the weather because it is not UV rated and will be damaged.
Conduit for electricity The primary usage of PVC is as a casing for electrical wires or cables in electrical systems. When electrical lines need to be protected underground or in moist locations, PVC conduit is frequently employed. It can be used in situations where UV rays will be present because it has been tested and rated. Check out this article to discover more about the impact of the sun on PVC piping.
Is it safe to use copper for electrical wiring?
Thermal resistance is a feature of copper electrical lines that is often disregarded. Electrical fires cause more than 51,000 residential house fires in the United States each year, according to ESFI, and that doesn’t include commercial/business fires. Because copper electrical cables are heat resistant, they are safer to use than wires made of most other conductive metals.
Copper is the preferred metal for electrical wires for various reasons, as you can see. It has a good electrical conductivity, is cheap, ductile, and thermally robust. As a result, it has become the industry standard for the manufacture of electrical cables.
What makes red copper pipe different from blue copper pipe?
Varieties L, M, DWV, and K are the four types of copper pipe offered by manufacturers. The relative pipe wall thickness is partially indicated by these letters. The wall thickness of a pipe is proportional to its diameter.
These letter codes are also used to match the color of a pipe to the type of pipe it represents. The hue aids in determining the copper pipe’s type.
Type K is represented by green, type L is represented by blue, type M is represented by red, and type DWV is represented by yellow. Type L copper pipes are thus referred to as blue, while type M copper pipes are referred to as red.
What is the distinction between copper tubing and copper pipe?
Tubing is commonly utilized for structural purposes, and the outside diameter (OD) is a critical and precise measurement. The OD and WT of tubing determine its size (wall thickness). The advertised OD and the measured OD are usually within very tight tolerances. Due to higher manufacturing tolerances, tubing is frequently more expensive than pipe.
In most circumstances, the stated and measured ODs of tubing are nearly identical, however copper tubing has a measured OD that is 1/8″ bigger than the stated OD. As a result, it’s possible that it should be termed copper pipe. Stainless steel, aluminum, and steel tube, on the other hand, all have ODs that are measured and declared to be precise or within a set tolerance, which is commonly measured in thousandths of an inch (e.g. +/- 0.04″).
Is it possible to combine electrical and plumbing work in the same trench?
If you’re thinking about digging your own utility trenches, there are a few things to consider. Even while this is a fantastic approach to save money while getting your project started, it is critical that you do so securely. As a result, you’ll need the appropriate tools, equipment, and knowledge of local legislation. Keep in mind that codes differ from state to state, so you should check with your local city council or a utility company before getting started.
Is it possible to run electrical and plumbing lines in the same trench? Yes, you can; however, you must do so appropriately. Otherwise, you risk a few code infractions as well as posing a serious safety hazard. Because of the risks involved with this task, you should always seek the advice of a professional if you have any concerns.
What is the finest pipe for electrical wiring?
Electricity is a need in today’s life. Electricity must reach every imaginable corner when planning any building, whether it is a shop, a factory, a home, an office, or any other commercial structure. To ensure that electricity is available at the point of service, electric cable is installed. Because these electric wires cannot go across the building, conduits are created through which they are channeled to the point of service. These conduits can be put either on the surface of the wall or within the walls. Conduit’s secondary tasks include maintaining the building’s aesthetics, holding the electric wire in place, and protecting the wires from external hazards such as mechanical and thermal stress. The size and weight of the electric wire affects the conduit size and type that is required.
Aside from the cable’s size, the sort of electrical conduit that needs to be constructed is determined by the course and environment through which these electric wire cables may have to be routed. Electrical conduit fittings come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit a variety of applications.
Electrical conduits come in a variety of materials, including metal, aluminum, PVC, and steel, and can be rigid or flexible. Flexible conduits may be preferred if the electrical wire cable is flexible and must be routed around multiple turns. Armoured cable conduit or PVC conduit are the most often utilized electrical conduits in residential applications. An armored cable conduit is nothing more than a coiled metal covering with the primary function of protecting the wire from any potential nail puncture.
PVC conduit is always a good choice, largely because of the cost and the fact that it protects against water seeping into the wall. Electric wire may need to run below ground or in an open area that is exposed to air, dust, and water, in which case PVC conduits are employed.
Electrical metal conduits are ideal for basement or garage applications where wire runs over the surface of the wall. Metal conduit in a basement would provide much-needed protection from rats and mice. A conduit bender, conduit couplings, offset fittings, and elbows may be required to run these metal conduits through turns. Steel or aluminum can be used to make these electric metal conduits. Aluminum conduit would be a fantastic choice for commercial or industrial applications when the climate is humid or moist, as aluminum does not corrode.
Liquid-tight Flexible Non-Metallic Conduit, Type LFNC-B is a raceway with a circular cross section and a smooth PVC inner surface, as well as an incorporated reinforcing part within the conduit wall. LNFC (Liquid-tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit) is a flame-resistant conduit that can be used in wet, dry, or oily environments. They can be used in industrial and commercial settings, as well as indoor and outdoor settings. These are suitable for use in a pool, spa, or air conditioning and HVAC systems.
Flexible metal conduit that is liquid-tight As the name implies, flexible metal conduit that is liquid-tight is suited for applications that have a lot of moisture. Water treatment plants, paper mills, bridges, and petrochemical factories are the best candidates. A plastic waterproof coating is applied to a liquid-tight flexible metal tube.