PVC conduit for underground power distribution, concrete-encased duct banks, building slab embedment, and direct-burial cable protection. NEMA TC-2, Schedule 40/80.
Direct pricing from the Jeddah plant, with technical submittal support.
PVC electrical conduit provides non-conductive, corrosion-proof protection for underground and embedded power, telecom, and data cables. In Saudi Arabia, where sabkha soil aggressively attacks metallic conduit, PVC provides maintenance-free cable protection for 50+ years. ALFA AL-ARABIA manufactures NEMA TC-2 Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC conduit from 1/2" to 6" trade size.
| Standard | NEMA TC-2, UL 651 |
|---|---|
| Material | Rigid PVC (Type I) |
| Sizes | 1/2" to 6" Trade Size |
| Wall Types | Schedule 40, Schedule 80 |
| Applications | Underground duct banks, slab embedment, direct burial |
| Key Advantage | Non-conductive — eliminates ground fault paths |
Underground power distribution: PVC conduit is the standard raceway for medium-voltage (13.8 kV) and low-voltage (380V/220V) underground cable distribution in Saudi residential compounds, commercial developments, and industrial facilities. Conduits are typically installed in concrete-encased duct banks with 4, 9, 12, or 16 conduits per bank.
Telecom and fiber optic: The Saudi telecom expansion (STC, Mobily, Zain networks) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) rollouts use orange-colored PVC conduit to protect underground fiber optic cables. The smooth bore minimizes cable-pulling friction, and the rigid structure protects against crushing and impact.
Building electrical: During construction, PVC conduit is embedded in concrete floor slabs and walls to provide protected pathways for electrical wiring. Schedule 40 is standard; Schedule 80 is used where conduit crosses expansion joints or where mechanical damage is possible.
Street lighting: Municipal street lighting circuits are routed through direct-buried PVC conduit at 600 mm minimum depth. PVC's corrosion immunity eliminates the conduit replacement cycle that plagues galvanized steel conduit in Saudi soil.
| Application | Typical Size | Wall Type | Cable Fill Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building lighting circuits | 3/4" - 1" | Schedule 40 | 40% fill (3+ cables) | Embedded in slab |
| Power distribution feeder | 2" - 4" | Schedule 40 | 40% fill | Duct bank |
| Medium voltage (13.8 kV) | 4" - 6" | Schedule 40 | Single cable 53% | Concrete encased |
| Fiber optic trunk | 2" - 4" | Schedule 40 | 40% fill | Orange color |
| Street lighting | 1" - 1-1/2" | Schedule 40 | 40% fill | Direct burial 600mm min |
| Control/instrumentation | 3/4" - 1" | Schedule 80 | 40% fill | Industrial areas |
Saudi Arabia's saline and sabkha soils aggressively corrode galvanized steel and aluminum conduit, causing cable damage and ground faults. PVC is completely immune to this corrosion. PVC is also non-conductive, lighter, smoother (easier cable pulls), and less expensive installed.
Per NEC/SASO: 53% for 1 cable, 31% for 2 cables, 40% for 3 or more cables. These percentages refer to the ratio of total cable cross-sectional area to the conduit's internal cross-sectional area. Exceeding these limits makes cable pulling difficult and causes excessive heat buildup.
PVC conduit is rated for cable operating temperatures up to 75°C. Ensure burial depth provides adequate heat dissipation. In Saudi Arabia, minimum 600 mm burial depth is recommended to keep conduit temperature below 60°C even in summer.
Schedule 40 is standard for most underground and embedded applications. Schedule 80 is required where conduit is subject to physical damage (crossing under roads without concrete encasement, industrial areas with heavy equipment traffic) or where project specifications require it.
Contact our Jeddah engineering desk for instant project-specific pricing, technical submittals, and Material Approval Request (MAR) support.
