carver2001
Registered Users
Posts:1
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| 06/29/2001 8:11 PM |
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I will be building an ICF house soon and I know most of the plumbing and electrical stuff is laid in channels cut into the insulation after the concrete is poured and set.
I like to try to plan for the future and am interested in putting some form of conduit and boxes into the forms before the concrete is poured. This could be for fiber-optic cable or something else.
Which type of conduit would hold up best? EMT, rigid metal, or plastic.
Thanks for your thoughts and experience with this subject.
==Paul==
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Ian ICF Builders
Registered Users
Posts:612
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| 06/29/2001 8:40 PM |
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| Perhaps consider putting the conduit in chases that are cut into the foam after concrete has been placed..... So much easier to install reinforcing, setting boxes perfectly straight without worry of concrete moving them, no problems with "wrong location" as a result of trying to "wire" the house without interior walls etc. in place....It's just easier in my opinion. |
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enermizermuskoka
Registered Users
Posts:272
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| 06/29/2001 8:45 PM |
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In my opinion, choose the PVC or "plastic"
type conduit. Right-on for the planning for the future concept. How ever, please keep in mind the following aspects; This may be
easily accomplished with a 8" or 10" thick
wall, but depending on your planned locations
you could interfere with the structural integrity of your load bearing capacity via
this "channel" thus resulting in what could
effectively could be termed as a continuous
void. Again, if you have the wall thickness,
no problem. But,if you plan on a 6" or less
- you don't want to congest the steel rebar
and end up compromizing the tensile strength
of the system. The best "insurance" is to
have your plans reveiwed by a quality P.Eng.
All this is just 1 man's veiw though.
Hope this helps, Take-care. Sincerely,C.Kerr
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markross
Registered Users
Posts:1035
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| 06/30/2001 6:41 PM |
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Ian and Chris are right, put it in the foam, its easy and there are no concerns re: structural integrety, possible movement or errors of placement. Its an accepted standard which works and works well.
Mark Ross
"Le Canuck" |
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365
Registered Users
Posts:36
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| 07/01/2001 10:52 PM |
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| Hi Carver: If you are talking low heat generation wires the plastic works great. If you are talking romex wires or other heavier type wire you may want to consider the metal conduit. It will remove the heat generated by the wire a bit more rapidly if you route the conduit up agains the concrete. There can be a tremendous amount of heat generated by wires in use. This heat needs to go somewhere. The metal will transfer it from the wires to the cooler concrete with obvious advantages to the electrical system. One other thing since we are on the subject. If you route out the foam and place the romex into the foam the 1.5 inches necessary, don't cover the wire back up with spray foam to help secure it into the wall. The same problem will occur; you will tend to over heat the wires under load. Bad news even in ICF's that have flame inhibitor in the foam. I like your conduit idea though. Boy that sure makes a neat job. |
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365
Registered Users
Posts:36
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| 07/01/2001 10:52 PM |
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| Hi Carver: If you are talking low heat generation wires the plastic works great. If you are talking romex wires or other heavier type wire you may want to consider the metal conduit. It will remove the heat generated by the wire a bit more rapidly if you route the conduit up agains the concrete. There can be a tremendous amount of heat generated by wires in use. This heat needs to go somewhere. The metal will transfer it from the wires to the cooler concrete with obvious advantages to the electrical system. One other thing since we are on the subject. If you route out the foam and place the romex into the foam the 1.5 inches necessary, don't cover the wire back up with spray foam to help secure it into the wall. The same problem will occur; you will tend to over heat the wires under load. Bad news even in ICF's that have flame inhibitor in the foam. I like your conduit idea though. Boy that sure makes a neat job. |
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Ian ICF Builders
Registered Users
Posts:612
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| 07/02/2001 8:17 AM |
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818:
If the wires are generating a substantial amount of heat as you indicate, then perhaps the wire is not sized correctly? Are you insinuating that plastic conduit is not recommended vs. metal?
If the form system that is used has foam walls of 2.5 inches, and a 3/4" PLASTIC conduit is used, the O.D. of the conduit is 15/16". If that conduit is attached to the concrete, with conduit clamps or other provisions, there is still 1.5" of foam left, add the 1/2" drywall covering, and there is 2" clearance to the surface of the conduit... |
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markross
Registered Users
Posts:1035
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| 07/08/2001 1:26 PM |
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Wouldn't romex or steel casing degrade in the wall cavity? We have torn apart walls with romex and steel conduit poured in walls or floors and it looks fairly rusted, or does the ICF wall protect it sufficiently that this is not a concern. Also, what about revamping in the future?
Mark Ross
"Le Canuck" |
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