PVC, EMT, or Flex conduit ?

FoxCR

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Guys so for my information, what is the most commonly used conduit used for CCTV?
I tried PVC and it is a bit of a pain in the ass - with having to glue it etc.. in the end for now I said screw it and left the CAT cable exposed (can't be reached) but I am looking for what works most of the time, especially since I will be doing my sisters house in the future.
 

mat200

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Avoid flex - that will be a PITA eventually when you do pulls...
 

FoxCR

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Cable catches on the inside?
I guess it is okay for very short sections then?
 

mat200

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Cable catches on the inside?
I guess it is okay for very short sections then?
Hi FoxCR - yes, and the flex - flexes when pulling..

PVC is much easier than flex imho - remember to keep the number of bends down.. I used 3/4"+ .. also used some 1/2" EMT where I had to go next to some electrical lines and a tight squeeze - had to only use thinner cat5e through that 1/2" EMT - the steel conduit however is good to reduce EMI on the cables
 

FoxCR

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Thank you. Yes I have used 1/2 pvc. But i have to show you something I think would have been better suited for flex.
 

bababouy

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Grey electrical PVC conduit is probably your easiest option if it's on the outside of a house. It's easy to cut and mount, and it's cheap. If you take your time, It will come out rather appealing to the eye.
 

FoxCR

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Thank you guys. I agree, I realized I can paint it with krylon to match the exterior.
I just dislike having to put pull boxes here and there, or at every corner, or using the long 90 deg bends and couplings.

I am the need to install two J-boxes within 12" in each other to install a second camera, so I was thinking of using flex so that I can offset them a bit also if needed. Correct me if I am wrong, but flex is a little less permanent since there is no glue involved and probably more water proof?
 

cuz

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...Correct me if I am wrong, but flex is a little less permanent since there is no glue involved and probably more water proof?
Do you really have to glue the pvc pipe if you don’t want it to be permanent?
 

FoxCR

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You glue it to keep the water out. The last thing you want is water moisture sitting in your conduit. I rather have exposed cables.
For me the reason to install cables inside a conduit it to protect them or make it hard for someone who wants to disable my cameras a bit more difficult.

I have a camera at the front door at a point where it is reachable without the need to a ladder. The wires are exposed going up the wall (higher). My am comfortable with that because if you get close enough to cut the wires I will have a nice face ID image.

I am always afraid of someone spray painting the camera lenses in effort to disable them. I guess you cannot protect everything.
It comes down to what risk you want to take. I like my cameras "low" to see faces if possible.
 

bababouy

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You glue it to keep the water out. The last thing you want is water moisture sitting in your conduit. I rather have exposed cables.
This is a misconception. Water will get into any conduit that is out in the elements, even if it's glued together. The trick is to not let the water pool or fill up your junction boxes. Drill small holes in the bottom of your boxes and any elbows that are on the bottom of your conduit run. Put your bell ends facing down so water runs over them and not into them. Most of the time I don't even bother gluing grey pipe together. If it is secured properly, the joints will stay together, if it isn't secured properly, the joints will pop, even if they are glued. The pipe will expand and contract with the sun, especially in Florida. The reason for using conduit is to keep your cables from being exposed to sunlight and critters, and weed wackers.
 

The_E

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This is a misconception. Water will get into any conduit that is out in the elements, even if it's glued together. The trick is to not let the water pool or fill up your junction boxes. Drill small holes in the bottom of your boxes and any elbows that are on the bottom of your conduit run. Put your bell ends facing down so water runs over them and not into them. Most of the time I don't even bother gluing grey pipe together. If it is secured properly, the joints will stay together, if it isn't secured properly, the joints will pop, even if they are glued. The pipe will expand and contract with the sun, especially in Florida. The reason for using conduit is to keep your cables from being exposed to sunlight and critters, and weed wackers.
You’re incorrect regarding the conduit. When properly glued they are in fact weather-tight. PVC is often used for in-ground and embedded in concrete construction. It would defeat the purpose if concrete could seep in and fill the conduit.

As for expansion and contraction, if you’re placing a long run you can install an expansion joint to absorb the movement.

Cheers,
E
 

The_E

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I am the need to install two J-boxes within 12" in each other to install a second camera, so I was thinking of using flex so that I can offset them a bit also if needed. Correct me if I am wrong, but flex is a little less permanent since there is no glue involved and probably more water proof?
Flex is completely suitable in this scenario. The only time you might want to skip the flexible conduit is for hardening the installation against cutting if they’re reachable. Go for the flex!
 

bababouy

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You’re incorrect regarding the conduit. When properly glued they are in fact weather-tight. PVC is often used for in-ground and embedded in concrete construction. It would defeat the purpose if concrete could seep in and fill the conduit.

As for expansion and contraction, if you’re placing a long run you can install an expansion joint to absorb the movement.

Cheers,
E
I appreciate your reply. What I was talking about is conduit run on the side of a building or up a light pole where security cameras are normally installed, in a place where the weather is a factor. This does not include under an eve or buried underground. Although, I have come across many underground conduit runs which are stubbed up above ground and capped off, that are full of mud and water for some reason. Not to many camera installers are running conduit in freshly poured concrete. Usually this is the electrician or the contractor that lays out the underground pipe work.
 

TonyR

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Water usually gets into perfectly sealed underground conduit by way of not-so-airtight, above-ground boxes: the sun heats the ground, the ground heats the air in the conduit, expanding it and pushing air out, the sun goes down, the ground cools which cools the air in the conduit and it contracts therefore drawing in the outside and moisture-laden air (it's after sundown) via those above-ground boxes, that air cools down inside the conduit, causing the moisture in it to condense and it travels to the lowest point(s) in the conduit run where it collects. Over time this cycle repeats many, many times and you end up with water in the conduit.

For this reason I have always used outdoor-rated, flooded-burial or direct-burial conductors in underground conduit. Water WILL get into underground conduit....just a fact of life.
 

Armysurplus

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Add a driving rain and water will get in to everything. If an Operator tells Me His Antenna works, but it has slowly been degrading I look for moisture in the RF lines. The way We fight water intrusion into sensitive equipment, is to pressurize the system with warm dry air, and leave a small leak at the highest point. This allows the air to circulate and carry any condensation out. Without the weep hole, water will still collect in the low spots. We install air dryers with flow gauges on all cable runs and mission critical systems. Mike/EZ
 

bababouy

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OK, I was second guessing myself. Make sure to put the rj-45 connection towards the top of the junction box also.
 
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