Conduit vs. Duct — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Conduit is used to protect and route electrical wiring, while a duct is designed to channel airflow, such as heating and cooling systems.
Difference Between Conduit and Duct
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conduits are protective tubes through which electrical wires and cables are run to protect them from damage and to conceal them for safety and aesthetic reasons. They are made of metal, plastic, or fiber and can be flexible or rigid, depending on the installation requirements. On the other hand, ducts are passages used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to deliver and remove air. They are crucial for managing air flow, ensuring efficient heating and cooling, and maintaining air quality within buildings.
While conduits are primarily associated with electrical systems, providing a path for electrical or communication cables, ducts are associated with air movement. Ducts are made from materials like sheet metal, fiberglass, or flexible plastic to suit different airflow and installation needs. Unlike conduits, which are designed to isolate electrical wires from the external environment, ducts are designed to ensure a seamless flow of air and can significantly vary in size based on the requirements of the HVAC system they support.
One of the key differences lies in their construction and material composition. Conduits must adhere to electrical codes and standards to protect wires from moisture, chemical vapors, and physical impact. Ductwork, however, must be airtight and insulated to prevent loss of energy and to maintain the desired temperature of the air being conveyed.
In terms of installation, conduits are often installed within walls, under floors, or above ceilings to route wiring across a building efficiently and safely. Ducts, meanwhile, are installed in a manner that optimizes airflow and minimizes energy loss, often requiring more space due to their larger size and the need to maintain specific routes for efficient air distribution.
Finally, the maintenance of conduits typically involves ensuring the integrity of the protective casing and the wiring within, while duct maintenance focuses on cleaning, sealing leaks, and ensuring insulation is intact to maintain air quality and energy efficiency. The distinct functions and requirements of conduits and ducts highlight their roles in modern infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of proper selection and installation to meet safety and efficiency standards.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Protects and routes electrical wiring
Channels airflow for heating, cooling, and ventilation
Material
Metal, plastic, fiber
Sheet metal, fiberglass, flexible plastic
Associated Systems
Electrical and communication systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
Installation
Within walls, under floors, above ceilings
Optimized for airflow, often requires more space
Maintenance
Ensuring protective casing and wiring integrity
Cleaning, sealing leaks, maintaining insulation
Compare with Definitions
Conduit
A tube or trough for protecting electric wiring.
The electrician installed a conduit to route the wires safely through the building.
Duct
A tube or passageway for air, gas, or liquid.
The air conditioning duct helps circulate cool air throughout the house.
Conduit
A protective cover for cables.
We used a flexible conduit to protect the cables from wear and tear.
Duct
An anatomical passage.
The tear duct drains tears into the nasal cavity.
Conduit
In finance, a facility that is used for passing funds.
The fund acted as a conduit for the investment.
Duct
In biology, a vessel for the transmission of fluid.
The bile duct carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder.
Conduit
A channel for conveying water or other fluid.
The ancient city used stone conduits to supply water.
Duct
In buildings, a system for ventilation.
We need to clean the HVAC ducts to improve air quality.
Conduit
A means of transmitting or distributing.
The internet serves as a conduit for information.
Duct
A pathway for cables in some contexts, though less common than conduit.
The building's telecom cables were laid in a dedicated duct.
Conduit
A channel for conveying water or other fluid
Nearby springs supplied the conduit which ran into the brewery
Duct
An often enclosed passage or channel for conveying a substance, especially a liquid or gas.
Conduit
A tube or trough for protecting electric wiring
The gas pipe should not be close to any electrical conduit
The cable must be protected by conduit
Duct
(Anatomy) A tubular bodily canal or passage, especially one for carrying a glandular secretion
A tear duct.
Conduit
A pipe or channel for conveying fluids, such as water.
Duct
A tube or pipe for enclosing electrical cables or wires.
Conduit
A tube or duct for enclosing electric wires or cable.
Duct
To channel through a duct
Duct the moist air away.
Conduit
A means by which something is transmitted
An arms dealer who served as a conduit for intelligence data.
Duct
To supply with ducts.
Conduit
(Archaic) A fountain.
Duct
A pipe, tube or canal which carries gas or liquid from one place to another
Heating and air-conditioning ducts
Air duct
Conduit
A pipe or channel for conveying water etc.
Duct
An enclosure or channel for electrical cable runs, telephone cables, or other conductors
Bus duct
Conduit
A duct or tube into which electrical cables may be pulled; a type of raceway.
Duct
(anatomy) a vessel for conveying lymph or glandular secretions such as tears or bile
Conduit
(figurative) A means by which something is transmitted.
The medium considered herself a conduit for messages from the spirit world.
Duct
(botany) a tube or elongated cavity (such as a xylem vessel) for conveying water, sap, or air
Conduit
(finance) An investment vehicle that issues short-term commercial paper to finance long-term off-balance sheet bank assets.
Duct
(physics) a layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs under usually abnormal conditions and in which radio or sound waves are confined to a restricted path
Conduit
A pipe, canal, channel, or passage for conveying water or fluid.
All the conduits of my blood froze up.
This is the fountain of all those bitter waters, of which, through a hundred different conduits, we have drunk.
Duct
(obsolete) guidance, direction
Conduit
A structure forming a reservoir for water.
Duct
To enclose in a duct
Conduit
A narrow passage for private communication.
Duct
To channel something (such as a gas) or propagate something (such as radio waves) through a duct or series of ducts
Conduit
A passage (a pipe or tunnel) through which water or electric wires can pass;
The computers were connected through a system of conduits
Duct
Any tube or canal by which a fluid or other substance is conducted or conveyed.
Duct
One of the vessels of an animal body by which the products of glandular secretion are conveyed to their destination.
Duct
A large, elongated cell, either round or prismatic, usually found associated with woody fiber.
Duct
Guidance; direction.
Duct
A bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance;
The tear duct was obstructed
The alimentary canal
Poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs
Duct
A continuous tube formed by a row of elongated cells lacking intervening end walls
Duct
An enclosed conduit for a fluid
Common Curiosities
Can conduits be used for air?
While conduits are designed for electrical wires and cables, they are not suited for air passage due to their size and construction.
Are ducts used in electrical systems?
Ducts are primarily used for airflow and are not designed to protect or route electrical wiring.
How do you maintain conduits and ducts?
Maintaining conduits involves checking the integrity of the casing and wiring, while maintaining ducts focuses on cleaning, sealing leaks, and insulation management.
What is the main purpose of a duct?
The main purpose of a duct is to channel airflow within HVAC systems, ensuring efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation.
What is the primary use of a conduit?
The primary use of a conduit is to protect electrical wiring and cables, providing a safe and efficient routing method.
Can a conduit be made of metal?
Yes, conduits can be made of metal, providing robust protection for electrical wiring.
Is it necessary to insulate ducts?
Yes, insulating ducts is crucial to prevent energy loss and maintain the desired temperature of the air being conveyed.
What types of conduit are commonly used?
Common types of conduit include rigid metal (RMC), electrical metallic tubing (EMT), PVC conduit, and flexible conduit, each suitable for different environments and applications.
What materials are ducts made from?
Ducts are made from materials like sheet metal, fiberglass, and flexible plastic, depending on the airflow and installation needs.
What is the difference between ductwork and ducting?
Ductwork refers to the fixed, often metal, system of ducts installed within a building, while ducting can refer to both fixed and flexible systems, including the hoses used for temporary or portable applications.
How often should HVAC ducts be cleaned?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning HVAC ducts every 3 to 5 years, but this can vary based on usage, location, and individual health concerns.
Can ducts be used outdoors?
Yes, ducts can be used outdoors, especially for industrial ventilation and exhaust systems, but they must be properly insulated and protected against environmental factors.
Are there different types of ducts for HVAC systems?
Yes, there are several types of ducts for HVAC systems, including flexible ducts, rigid metal ducts, and fiberglass lined ducts, each offering different benefits for air flow and insulation.
What safety precautions are necessary when installing conduit?
Safety precautions for installing conduit include turning off power when working with electrical systems, using the proper tools and protective equipment, and following local codes and regulations.
How do you determine the size of a conduit needed?
The size of a conduit is determined by the number and size of wires or cables it needs to accommodate, in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
