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• reconfirmed,

• withdrawn,

• replaced by a revised edition, or

• amended.

CONDUIT SYSTEMS FOR CABLE MANAGEMENT -

Part 1: General requirements

1. Scope

This part of IEC 61386 specifies requirements and tests for conduit systems, including conduits and conduit fittings, for the protection and management of insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and/or 1 500 V d.c. This standard applies to metallic, non-metallic and composite conduit systems, including threaded and non-threaded entries which terminate the system. This standard does not apply to enclosures and connecting boxes which come within the scope of IEC 60670.

NOTE 1 Certain conduit systems may also be suitable for use in hazardous atmospheres. Regard should then be taken of the extra requirements necessary for equipment to be installed in such conditions.

NOTE 2 Earthing conductors may or may not be insulated.

2. Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment

IEC 60423:2007, Conduit systems for cable management - Outside diameters of conduits for electrical installations and threads for conduits and fittings

IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) Amendment 1 (1999)

IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing - Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products

IEC 60695-11-2:2003, Fire hazard testing - Part 11-2: Test flames - 1 kW nominal pre-mixed flame - Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance

3. Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply:

conduit system

cable management system consisting of conduits and conduit fittings for the protection and management of insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical or communication installations, allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced, but not to be inserted laterally

conduit

part of conduit system of circular cross-section for insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical or communication installations, allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced

conduit fitting

device designed to join components of a conduit system, or for them to change direction

terminating conduit fitting

conduit fitting that terminates a conduit system

metallic conduit and/or conduit fitting

conduit or conduit fitting which consists of metal only

non-metallic conduit and/or conduit fitting

conduit or conduit fitting which consists uniquely of non-metallic material and which has no metallic components whatsoever

composite conduit and/or conduit fitting

conduit or conduit fitting comprising both metallic and non-metallic materials

non-flame propagating conduit and/or conduit fitting

conduit or conduit fitting which is liable to catch fire as a result of an applied flame, but in which the flame does not propagate, and which extinguishes itself within a limited time after the flame is removed

plain conduit

conduit in which the profile is even in the longitudinal section (see note to 3.10)

3.10

corrugated conduit

conduit in which the profile is corrugated in the longitudinal section

NOTE Both annular and helical corrugated conduits are permissible, and a combination of both corrugated and plain conduit is possible.

3.11

rigid conduit

conduit which cannot be bent, or which can only be bent with the help of a mechanical aid, with or without special treatment

3.12

pliable conduit

conduit which can be bent by hand with reasonable force, and which is not intended for frequent flexing

3.13

flexible conduit

conduit which can be bent by hand with reasonable small force, and which is intended to flex frequently throughout its life3.14

self-recovering conduit

pliable conduit which deforms when a transverse force is applied for a short time and which, after removal of this force, returns close to its original shape within a further short time

3.15

threadable conduit and conduit fitting

conduit and conduit fittings which carry a thread for connection, or in or on which a thread can be formed

3.16

non-threadable conduit and conduit fitting

conduit and conduit fittings which are suitable for connection only by means other than threads

3.17 external influence

factors which may affect the conduit system

NOTE Examples of such factors are a presence of water, oil or building materials, low and high temperatures, and corrosive or polluting substances.

4. General requirements

   1. Conduit and conduit fittings shall be so designed and constructed that in normal use their performance is reliable and they provide protection to the user or surroundings.

When assembled in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as part of a conduit system, conduits and conduit fittings shall provide mechanical and, where required, electrical protection of the insulated conductors and cables contained therein.

1. 2. The protective properties of the joint between the conduit and conduit fitting shall not be less than that declared for the conduit system.

   3. Conduit and conduit fittings shall withstand the stresses likely to occur during transport, storage, recommended installation practice and application.

   4. Compliance is checked by carrying out all specified tests.

2. General conditions for tests

   1. Tests in accordance with this standard are type tests. Conduit systems, having the same classification, which can vary in colour only, shall be the same product type.

   2. Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be carried out at an ambient temperature of (20 ± 5) °С.

   3. Unless otherwise specified, each test shall be made on three new samples, which may be taken from one length.

NOTE Certain tests, for instance the checking of dimensions, do not affect a change in the property of the samples; therefore these samples are considered as new samples and can be used for further tests.

NOTE Where similarities are claimed, the selection of representative fittings for test purposes can be agreed between the manufacturer, or responsible vendor, and the testing station.

If only one of the samples does not satisfy a test, due to an assembly or a manufacturing defect, that test and any preceding one which may have influenced the result of the test shall be repeated, and also the tests which follow shall be carried out in the required sequence on another full set of samples, all of which shall comply with the requirements.

NOTE If the additional set of samples is not submitted at the same time, a failure of one sample will entail a rejection. The applicant, when submitting the first set of samples, may also submit an additional set of samples which may be used, should one sample fail. The testing station will then, without further request, test the additional set of samples and will reject them only if a further failure occurs.

1. 8. When toxic or hazardous processes are used, due regard shall be taken of the safety of the persons within the test area.

   9. Conduit systems which are used as an integral part of other equipment shall also be tested in accordance with the relevant standard for that equipment.

2. Classification

NOTE Annex A shows the classification coding format for declared properties of the conduit system, which may be incorporated in the manufacturer's literature.

1. Very light

2. Light

3. Medium

4. Heavy

5. Very heavy

1. Very light

2. Light

3. Medium

4. Heavy

5. Very heavy

1. Rigid

2. Pliable

3. Pliable/Self-recovering

4. Flexible

1. Very light

2. Light

3. Medium

4. Heavy

5. Very heavy

1. Very light

2. Light

3. Medium

4. Heavy

5. Very heavy

Table 1 - Lower temperature range

Table 2 - Upper temperature range

In Australia and Austria, conduits and conduit fittings may be classified with low acid gas emission.

7. Marking and documentation

   1. Each conduit shall be marked with

      1. the manufacturer's or responsible vendor's name or trade mark or identification mark,

      2. a product identification mark, which may be, for example, a catalogue number, a symbol or the like, in such a way that it can be identified in the manufacturer’s or responsible vendor’s literature.

      3. The conduit may also be marked with the classification code, which shall be in accordance with Annex A, and which shall include at least the first four digits.

      4. The manufacturer shall be responsible for indicating the compatibility of parts within a conduit system.

      5. The manufacturer shall provide in his literature its classification in accordance with Clause 6 and all information necessary for the proper and safe transport, storage, installation and use.

   2. The conduit fitting shall be marked in accordance with 7.1, on the product wherever possible, but, where this is impractical, then the mark may be on a label attached to the product, or on the smallest supplied package.

   3. Flame propagating material shall be orange in colour. It shall not be coloured orange by painting or other superficial means.

Non-flame propagating material may be of any colour except yellow, orange or red, unless clearly marked on the product to be of non-flame propagating material.

Compliance is checked by inspection and by rubbing the marking by hand for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with water, and again for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with petroleum spirit.

NOTE 1 Petroleum spirit is defined as the aliphatic solvent hexane with a content of aromatics of maximum 0,1% volume, a kauri-butanol value of 29, initial boiling point 65 °С, a dry point 69 °С, and density of approximately 0,68 g/cm³.

NOTE 2 Marking may be applied, for example, by moulding, pressing, engraving, printing, adhesive labels, or water slide transfers.

NOTE 3 Marking made by moulding, pressing or engraving is not subjected to this test.

After the test, the marking shall be legible.

8. Dimensions

   1. Threads and outside diameters, where appropriate, shall comply with IEC 60423.

Compliance is checked by means of the gauges specified in IEC 60423.

1. 2. Other dimensions shall comply with the requirements of the relevant Part 2 of IEC 61386.

2. Construction

   1. Within the conduit system, there shall be no sharp edges, burrs or surface projections which are likely to damage insulated conductors or cables, or inflict injury on the installer or user.

Compliance is checked by inspection, if necessary after cutting the samples apart.

Fixing screws and small clips for use with non-metallic or composite conduit fittings need not be of non-metallic material if they are isolated from insulated conductors or cables.

Screw fixing means shall be so designed to withstand the mechanical stresses occurring during installation and normal use.

Compliance for screw fixing using preformed threads is checked by the test in 9.3, followed by inspection.

Compliance for screw fixing using thread-forming screws is checked by the test in 9.4, followed by inspection.

The test is carried out using a suitable screwdriver or spanner to apply a torque, as specified by the manufacturer. In case the manufacturer does not specify the torque, the values of Table 3 apply. The screws shall be tightened in one smooth and continuous motion.

After the test, there shall be no damage sustained by the screw or nut, such as breakage of the screw or damage to the head or thread, that will impair the further use of the screw or nut.

The test is made by using a suitable screwdriver or spanner applying with the relevant torque given in Table 3. The screw shall not be tightened by sudden or jerky motions.

After the test, there shall be no damage such as breakage of the screw or damage to the head or thread, that will impair the further use of the screw.

Table 3 - Torque values for screw tests

Compliance is checked by means of tests specified in Clause 14.

Compliance is checked by inspection and by manual test.

10. Mechanical properties

    1. Mechanical strength

       1. Conduit systems shall have adequate mechanical strength.

       2. Conduits, according to their classification, when bent or compressed, or exposed to impact or extreme temperature of a specified value in accordance with impact and temperature classification declared for the product, either during, or after installation according to the manufacturer's instructions, shall not crack and shall not be deformed to such an extent that introduction of the insulated conductors or cables becomes difficult, or that the installed insulated conductors or cables are likely to be damaged while being drawn in.

       3. Conduit systems intended as a mounting for other equipment shall have adequate mechanical strength to support such equipment and to withstand the force required to operate the equipment, both during and after installation.

       4. Compliance of 10.1.1 to 10.1.3 is checked by the tests specified in 10.2 to 10.8.

    2. Compression test

       1. Samples of conduit, each (200 ±5) mm long, shall be subjected to a compression test at (23 ± 2) °С, using the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

       2. Before the test, the outside diameters of the samples shall be measured.

       3. The samples shall be positioned on a flat steel support, and a steel intermediate piece, as shown in Figure 1, shall be placed in the middle of the sample.

       4. A uniformly increasing compression force, reaching the values shown in Table 4 within (30 ±3) s, shall be applied to the intermediate piece.

       5. After the force given in Table 4 has been applied for (60 ± 2) s, the outside diameter of the sample shall be measured where flattening has taken place, without removing the force.