Condu-lok , the evolution of fitting tube

[Dustydazzler]

The Americans / Canadians have been using a similar grub n screw method of installing steel tube for decades

About time that we caught up

 

[nicebutdim]

It's alright and certainly faster than threading, but wouldn't be ideal in certain environments.

I do like the look of those rapid saddles.

 

[nicebutdim]

Was thinking about problems if conduit is used as earth, but haven't seen a modern conduit system used for that and the connections would be as good for bonding purposes as any other connections used in containment.

I got the impression that conlok is more widely used in IE, than in the UK, as that's the only place I've seen or worked with it.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Probably been more than 20 years since I have seen conduit used as the Cpc

I honestly can't believe it has taken us this long to convert to grub n screw conduit boxes and fitting s

 

[LastManOnline]

Probably been more than 20 years since I have seen conduit used as the Cpc

I honestly can't believe it has taken us this long to convert to grub n screw conduit boxes and fitting s

The savings in labour are enormous. It's one of those gamechangers

 

[ipf]

We've been down this road before.
Absolute crap in comparison with properly installed threaded conduit.
It's just another excuse for inferior work and a drop in standard.

 

[nicebutdim]

We've been down this road before.
Absolute crap in comparison with properly installed threaded conduit.
It's just another excuse for inferior work and a drop in standard.

Assuming it's well installed, in what regard could it be considered inferior work or a drop in standards?

I'm not entirely comfortable with the stuff, having worked with it on a couple of occasions, but I suspect my discomfort stems more from how I think conduit should be installed and not any problems identified with this stuff.

Considering the cost of labour it wouldn't surprise me to see more of this being specified and, assuming there's no reason not to use it, I can't see any problem with it.

One other point would be the amount of poor conduit installations I've encountered, which were installed by time served sparks, many of which were decades old. Surely that highlights the fact that standards of work have always varied wildly from one qualified professional to the next?

 

[Risteard]

Not personally a fan. I've never actually used it though - only traditional screwed conduit.

 

[nicebutdim]

Not personally a fan. I've never actually used it though - only traditional screwed conduit.

Boxes etc are cast in the same manner as their threaded counterparts, with the difference being an annoyingly small grub screw in place of threaded connection. It has obvious limitations, but considerable labour savings on installation.

I get the arguments about connections, but not those about a drop in standards as threading conduit isn't a particularly skilful process - conduit is the same gauge for both systems and still has to be formed in the same way.

 

[telectrix]

 

[LastManOnline]

We've been down this road before.
Absolute crap in comparison with properly installed threaded conduit.

I agree it's inferior to threaded conduit.Then again, it's far superior to plastic trunking. It's horses for courses. There are many types of installations where in my view it is more than adequate for the role.

 

[LastManOnline]

Love the guitar players 2 tone pants

 

[telectrix]

can't see a problem with it. come on lads, it's 2022, not 1922. things alter, not always for the better, ( see AFDD's). nowt wrong with BS1361 and 3036 fuses, but MCBs are more consumer friendly. ( harder to bypass with a nail (see also "farmers, barbed wire, barn fires," in wikipedia))

 

[Dustydazzler]

For the haters there is nothing wrong with you still going threading , but imo Condu-Lok is a great time saver and allows boxes and tube to be altered and modified without the hassle of having to either cut boxes off or removed entire lenghths of tube just to spin a box off.

Time is money and if I can make some time savings using a new product then I am all for it

I know lots of old time sparks who hated wagos when they first came over and they said would never use them as they didn't trust them... Guess what , they all use wagos now

 

[Dustydazzler]

I agree it's inferior to threaded conduit.Then again, it's far superior to plastic trunking. It's horses for courses. There are many types of installations where in my view it is more than adequate for the role.

Is it thou ?

The 'thread' is literally there to attach the box to the tube. Once the conduit is up on the wall there is no difference between a threaded connection Vs a Grub screw connection. The huge benefit of the grub screw connection is you can remove a box in 30 seconds. To get a threaded box off , is a royal PITA

 

[loz2754]

The 'thread' is literally there to attach the box to the tube. Once the conduit is up on the wall there is no difference between a threaded connection Vs a Grub screw connection.

I can see that con-lok conduit has its uses.
I would like to know though how it compares in terms of IP rating for external use.

 

[ipf]

I know lots of old time sparks who hated wagos when they first came over and they said would never use them as they didn't trust them... Guess what , they all use wagos now

One thing for sure, I rated the Wago levers from the first time I saw them.

It may be a quicker, cheaper way of installing conduit. What I'm saying is that, certainly in most industrial situations, it falls well short of threaded conduit. When installing many machines, the conduit system basically becomes part of the structure.
If you want to use it as a quick way to hide cables, fair enough.

 

[Dustydazzler]

One thing for sure, I rated the Wago levers from the first time I saw them.

It may be a quicker, cheaper way of installing conduit. What I'm saying is that, certainly in most industrial situations, it falls well short of threaded conduit. When installing many machines, the conduit system basically becomes part of the structure.
If you want to use it as a quick way to hide cables, fair enough.

I still don't see how if installed correctly with the boxes fixed to the wall and conduit fixed in place with saddles how a grub screw securing the box to the tube is inferior to a thread.
The thread is literally just there to keep the box on the tube

 

[Dustydazzler]

Americans & Canadians have been using this technology for decades and its so much faster and easier to use

emt couplers - Bing

La recherche intelligente de Bing facilite la recherche rapide et vous récompense.

www.bing.com

 

[LastManOnline]

Is it thou ?

When I stated it as been "inferior" I should have been a little more specific.The arguments I hear over here arecthat the metallic bond in a threaded system is better that the "grub screw" system.Thats a point I am willing to accept.As stated in my earlier post though,it's no longer a pertinent point as we no longer use the metal as the CPC.
Overall I consider the "Conlok" system a superior product and a "no brainer "really

 

[ipf]

I still don't see how if installed correctly with the boxes fixed to the wall and conduit fixed in place with saddles how a grub screw securing the box to the tube is inferior to a thread.
The thread is literally just there to keep the box on the tube

What if it's not fixed to the wall....dropping down from trunking or out from a wall to a machine?
There are all sorts of situations where it would be inferior. It's simply not as strong and more easily open to damage.
If you can't see it, fair enough.

 

[Dustydazzler]

What if it's not fixed to the wall....dropping down from trunking or out from a wall to a machine?
There are all sorts of situations where it would be inferior. It's simply not as strong and more easily open to damage.
If you can't see it, fair enough.

I get that , and that is why there will always be the very odd occasion where you need to thread on a box but in my experience I could use condu-lok 99% of the time with no issue what so ever

 

[LastManOnline]

I know lots of old time sparks who hated wagos when they first came over and they said would never use them as they didn't trust them... Guess what , they all use wagos now

Good analogy.Change takes time.Heres my experience with the Wago.

First impression.."no brainer".imported them from the continent. Unavailable here.
In late 1990,s an engineer reported me to the regulatory body for carrying out installations according to "continental standards".During the investigation it transpires I was one of 2 sparks using them in ROI.Am cleared of wrongdoing. Early 2000,s persuaded my wholesaler to stock them.They did for 2 years but no one bought them except me.."too expensive". Mid 2000,s , I,m back to importing them from continent.Late 2000,s you can literally get them them at the corner shop..happy days!

 

[nicebutdim]

I would like to know though how it compares in terms of IP rating for external use.

This is a question I'd also like to know the answer to, although I assume it doesn't compare without the application of some form of gunk. While I can see clear advantages, IP rating isn't one of them

 

[Dustydazzler]

This is a question I'd also like to know the answer to, although I assume it doesn't compare with the application of some form of gunk. While I can see clear advantages, IP rating isn't one of them

My guess is its designed for internal / covered areas

 

[LewisM]

Can be used outside but you have to use silicone or equivalent round the spout

 

[Dustydazzler]

Sealing around spout with a dob of mastic is certainly a good idea if there is any risk of water ingress , but if you were to install a load on condu-lok stuff outside I would like to think there was a purpose made gasket or something to pop in the entry to stop water getting inside...

 

[SparkySy]

I can see advantages with using it for speed, I think sikaflex or similar would be a good sealant if they don't make an IP rated adaptor.
Can this tube be threaded like standard conduit, I take it the external dimensions are the same? If so you could do any external fittings with standard and cross to condu lok inside!
Anyone got a link to the website my phone is only bringing up suppliers?
Sy

 

[snowhead]

Anyone got a link to the website my phone is only bringing up suppliers?
Sy

It's manufactured by Demoncato (no website) who also produce Rapidsaddle and Rollatray

Which is owned by Metpro, StackPath - https://www.metpro.co.uk/category/conlok

There's more info on this suppliers site than there is on Metpro,
20mm CONLOK (Non Threaded) Galvanised Conduit Fittings | CONLOK - Electrical Ironmongery - https://www.electricalironmongery.co.uk/product/20mm-conlok-non-threaded-galvanised-conduit-fittings/

 

[SparkySy]

That's answered a few questions, thanks for the links @snowhead !

 

[pirate]

I watched an American video recently about wiring a shed, which, according to local codes, needed the wiring to be in steel conduit, albeit it was installed behind the drywall finish. The guy used a similar system, but with screws with a slotted head rather than a grub screw. I feel a grub is better, more secure.
For fun, I simply mention that steel tube secured by grub screws has been a thing...though not for electrical work, for decades. I started using it 50 years ago, and most recently 6 months ago to install safety rails around a building, with, I think, 50mm tube. Threading those would have been a tricky job, but we used Kee Klamps, same as I used 50 years ago, and same as installed throughout your town centre as railings at pedestrian crossings etc. I love 'em!

Kee Klamp® Key Clamp Fittings Archives

Kee Klamp fittings are a versatile solution for constructing handrails, safety barriers, and guardrails.

keesystems.com

 

[snowhead]

That's answered a few questions, thanks for the links @snowhead !

Took a bit of chasing down, ended up on companies House

 

[SparkySy]

No wonder my primitive web skills failed me

 

[AJshep]

I can see the advantages of this especially if your adding to and existing system, but I really don't see that much of an issue with threading.
I had to do some Galv the other day and threading it was effortless, that was using a cheap TLC stock and die set too.

 

[nicebutdim]

I turn up and use whatever is supplied. If it needs threading, then it'll be threaded, and if its conlok it'll be fixed with a grub screw. Most important factor is that I get paid.

 

[LukeD]

Its a good product if used correctly . Bit of CT1 etc will keep the weather out . Do guys use PTF tape on threaded to stop water etc coming in ??

 

[ipf]

Its a good product if used correctly . Bit of CT1 etc will keep the weather out . Do guys use PTF tape on threaded to stop water etc coming in ??

PTF's for keeping the water IN......not too good for earth continuity..........although, if there's no earth fault there's no leakage either way, I suppose.