The Many Advantages of Fiberglass Conduit Products

Many telecomm and power utility companies these days opt for fiberglass conduit products rather than use alternatives such as steel or PVC. These things have been used all over the world, and installed above ground, below ground, and even underwater.

Fiberglass is manufactured using a process referred to as pultrusion. It requires large furnaces in order to melt limestone, silica sand, fluorspar, kaolin clay, dolomite, colemanite and other minerals. Then the liquid form is extruded into bundles of tiny orifices, which are then coated and sized using a chemical solution. Then the filaments are grouped together and used directly in a composite application.

So why is fiberglass now the popular option for conduit systems? Here are some reasons that may be able to explain this trend:

• It is lightweight. This is crucial for so many reasons. For one, it’s light enough that a single worker can easily carry a long piece of conduit to a worksite area. This can make for easier and faster installation, which cuts down on labor costs and scheduling issues. Fiberglass is much lighter than steel and even lighter than PVC.

• It doesn’t contain bromine. Bromine vapor is actually very toxic when people inhale it. It can irritate your eyes and throat. The lack of bromine then eliminates this hazard.

• It doesn’t have chlorine.Chlorine, despite its use as a disinfectant for tap water and swimming pools, is actually toxic. That’s why it’s used as a disinfectant. It can be in gaseous form and in dangerous concentrations can lead to blurred vision, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, chest tightness, and vomiting.Also, it can mix with other chemicals to form explosive compounds, especially when mixed with ammonia and turpentine.

• It contains very little halogen. Elements that contain halogen when burned releases hazardous fumes. Fiberglass contains very little halogen, and not enough to be dangerous. That’s one of the reasons PVC is dangerous, because burning PVC produces a gas that’s similar to mustard gas. That’s one of the gas weapons used in WWI.

• It won’t corrode. Corrosion is always a problem with steel conduit systems, but it’s not an issue with fiberglass. You don’t need to treat fiberglass with special coatings because it just won’t rust.

• Fiberglass is very strong. On a pound for pound basis it’s even much stronger than steel. You can rely on it to endure for a very long time and it doesn’t need much in the way of maintenance.

• Easy to customize. Fiberglass can be molded in many ways, and it can be designed so pieces fit together more easily. There won’t be a need for threading to join the pieces together. Obviously there’s no need for welding the pieces together, so the installation can proceed quickly without delay that can mess up schedules and increase labor costs.

• Fire-resistant. The fiberglass may char, but it won’t burn. This protects what’s inside the conduits and it also minimizes the fire damage that will have to be repaired later on.

• Smooth inside. This means that cables can be pulled through the conduit system easily without worrying about burn-through. This again enables the installation to go more quickly.

• Resistant to extreme temperatures. Whether it’s freezing cold during the winter or unbearably warm with the direct sunlight during the summer, the fiberglass can withstand all conditions.

It’s really a no-brainer. If you need a durable, fire-resistant, weather-resistant, lightweight and environmentally friendly material, consider fiberglass as one of your main options.