As a developer, you must make difficult decisions in order to keep costs low, especially now with inflation rates, materials shortages, and delays. From the design process to the construction of your project, you must decide which direction to go when it comes to the materials to use in your development. So today, we dive into a topic that electricians are currently facing—What type of electrical conduit to use?
Electrical contractors are dropping PVC for ENT to save costs. 
To deal with the current supply chain and shortage issues, developers must find new strategies and best practices—one of those strategies is the installation of ENT instead of PVC in their project.
PVC & ENT—What Do They Stand For?
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit: Plastic conduit is typically constructed from durable PVC and is used to route and protect electrical cables and wiring. It is generally installed within a wall cavity but is also favored in exposed locations such as a basement or attic space to prevent damage to any cabling.
- Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing or “Smurf Tube” (ENT): is a thin-walled corrugated tubing that is moisture-resistant and flame retardant. A non-metallic, flexible, corrugated raceway of circular cross-section with integral or associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for installing electrical conductors.
ENT is designed to replace EMT, flexible metal conduit, or other raceway or cable systems for installation following Article 331 of the National Electrical Code, other applicable sections of the Code, and local codes.
PVC is getting very expensive and increasing project costs. Some electrical contractors are switching from PVC to ENT to save cost. Here is a breakdown of the price of PVC for the last 2 years, and the recent cost comparison of ENT to PVC:
*Exact ratios of installation labor, weight, and material cost vary depending on the conduit size.
*Exact ratios of installation labor, weight, and material cost vary depending on the conduit size.
BASE4 | Your MEP Experts!
Understanding and choosing the best system for a project can be challenging–that is why BASE4 is here to help. We understand the market and are committed to helping developers and GCs navigate these tough times. We help developers, general contractors, and factories find better and cheaper ways to build through innovative technology, forward-thinking design, and offsite manufacturing.
The BASE4 team has worked around the globe, providing a wide range of expertise in quality standards, specifications, and international best practices for design.
BASE4: The GO-TO Firm for Optimal Design
We know we are in volatile times, where supply chain issues…
We perform all services in-house, including architecture, structural engineering, MEP engineering, interior design, 3D BIM visualization, and construction administration. In addition, the BASE4 team has worked around the globe, providing a wide range of expertise in quality standards, specifications, and international best practices for design.
Thank you,
Blair Hildahl
BASE4 Principal
608.304.5228
BlairH@base-4.com
