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Liquatite Conduits Boast “Heavy-duty” CSA Certification for Harsh Environments

April 30, 2021 by Robin Mitchell

Liquatite’s ATLA and LAFG range of conduits have been approved for conformation to Annex A “heavy-duty” for CSA certification.

Liquatite ATLA and LAFG Conduits

Liquatite is a company that produces a range of different conduits for housing cables that provide liquid-tight capabilities, electromagnetic capability (EMC) control, and corrosion resistance. To account for the many environments faced by industrial designers, Liquatite offers a range of products that each have different characteristics to provide an economical conduit choice. 

 

Video used courtesy of Liquatite

 

The Type ATLA conduits are flexible steel conduits designed for extreme temperature environments. The inner steel conduit is identical to the Type LA, but the additional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) jacket provides additional flexibility at low temperatures as well as resists aging in high temperatures. The PVC jacket is resistant to oils and mild acids, is flame retardant, and resistant to ultraviolet (UV), meaning that it can be used indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, the ATLA conduit can be buried underground and concrete and contain up to 1000 V cables.

The Type LAFG conduits are also flexible steel conduits that have a flexible PVC jacket. However, the LAFG’s PVC jacket is permeated with an FDA-approved antimicrobial compound for use in food environments. The antimicrobial compound helps to prevent the spread of contagions on contact. If food processing equipment is not correctly washed down, the conduit is unlikely to cause contamination as its surface is “self-cleaning” (i.e., against microbes, not solid particulates). The LAFG conduit can be buried, is flame retardant, resistant to UV, and resists oils and mild acids.

 

ATLA and LAFG get Heavy-duty Certification

ATLA and LAFG have been approved to conform to the heavy-duty standard as described by CSA certification standards. However, the new conformation only applies to conduits in product ranges with sizes of ½ inch to 4 inches. 


Conduits now “heavy-duty” CSA certified. Image used courtesy of Liquatite

 

The new heavy-duty certification means that these conduits can handle greater tension forces, more flexibility in colder temperatures, and resist crushing. To be specific, the heavy-duty rating implies that these conduits have been tested to withstand a tension force of 500 lbs, can retain their flexibility around a smaller mandrel with a 30–37% tighter bend radius while in a freezer, utilize a stronger connector attachment (withstand a pulling force of 350 lbs), and withstand crushing forces between 1500 lbs to 2000 lbs depending on the diameter of the conduit.

 

Heavy-Duty Conduit Applications

This heavy-duty rating becomes critical in applications that may experience unusually harsh environments or forces. For example, if the conduit is buried under large amounts of weight, the crush resistance could make the ATLA and LAFG good candidates. The ability to retain flexibility at cold temperatures can also be advantageous in compact cold environments that need to minimize the space used by the conduit but experience sub-zero temperatures.

The ATLA conduits are particularly applicable to low-temperature environments, and as such, are fit for outdoor applications. The LAFG applications extend into the food and pharmaceuticals industry. The LAFG’s coating is antimicrobial as well as resistant to bleach. Combined with the conduit’s ability to be submersible, the LAFG can be installed directly in food areas and allow for water or bleach cleaning.