ΕΝ 61386 new European Standards for Electrical Installation Conduits

New European standards on control, concerning the management of cables within conduits – pipes have taken effect since 22/06/2004. These are based on and will gradually replace the current EN.50086-1/994 standards that will remain in force until 2008.

ΕΝ. 61386-1 Conduit systems for cable management – Part 1: General Requirements

The present Standard specifies the requirements and tests for conduit systems, including conduits and conduit fittings for the protection and arrangement of insulated conduits and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems up to 1000 V of alternating current and/or 1500 V of direct current. The present Standard applies to metallic, non-metallic and composite conduit systems, including cone threaded or non-cone threaded inlets that terminate the system.

ΕΝ. 61386 – 21 Particular requirements – Part 21: Rigid Conduit systems

The present Standard specifies the requirements and tests for straight, rigid conduits, including conduit fittings for the protection and arrangement of insulated conduits and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems.

ΕΝ. 61386 – 22 Particular requirements – Part 22: Pliable Conduit systems

The present Standard specifies the requirements and tests for semi-rigid, pliable conduits, including conduit fittings for the protection and arrangement of insulated conduits and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems

.ΕΝ. 61386 – 23 Particular requirements – Part 23: Flexible Conduit systems

The present Standard specifies the requirements and tests for flexible conduits, including conduit fittings for the protection and arrangement of insulated conduits and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems.

ΕΝ. 61386 – 24 Particular requirements – Buried under ground Conduit systems

The present Standard specifies the requirements and tests for underground conduits, including conduit fittings for the protection and arrangement of insulated conduits and/or cables in electrical installations or communication systems.

Classification of conduits according to standard

ΕΝ. 61386-1

 According to the European standards, electrical installation conduits are characterized by a classification code format, based on their mechanical properties produced by a series of laboratory tests.

The conduit can be marked by a classification code including at least the first 4 digits of that code where each digit represents a different property.

1st DIGIT : Resistance to compression

2nd DIGIT: Resistance to impact

3rd DIGIT : Minimum operating temperature

4th DIGIT : Maximum operating temperature

In particular, the requirements regarding mechanical properties of conduits according to EN 61386-1 are as follows: