Comparison between bare and pre-wired ICTA sheaths for your electrical work

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Comparison of wired and bare ducts
ICTA sheaths are indispensable in the electrical sector. They protect electrical cables against all types of mechanical or environmental damage. Choosing between a bare ICTA sheath and a pre-fabricated ICTA sheath can be difficult when you're doing your own electrical installation work. This comparison guide will help you better understand the differences between these two types of duct and make the right choice for your needs.

Bare ICTA sheaths: presentation and advantages

A bare ICTA sheath is a plastic tube, usually polyethylene or PVC, which contains no electrical wires. It is up to the user to run the wires required for installation. Here are some of the major advantages of this type of sheath:

  • FLEXIBILITY: bare ICTA sheathing is easy to handle thanks to its elastic composition;
  • CUSTOMISATION : possibilité de choisir les fils électriques à passer en fonction des besoins spécifiques;
  • ECONOMICAL: often more affordable than pre-wired ducts because it does not include any electrical wires;
  • RESISTANCE: available in different profiles to suit your technical requirements (mechanical or chemical resistance).
Bare sheath - Mecaspin blog

When to choose a bare ICTA sheath?

Bare ICTA conduits are particularly suitable for electrical installations with specific, customised requirements. For example, if you want to run a single service cable or multi-coloured electrical wires to better identify the circuits, bare ICTA sheathing will be the wisest choice.

Pre-wired ICTA sheaths: presentation and advantages

Pre-wired sheath - Mecaspin blog

Unlike bare sheaths, a prefabricated ICTA sheath already contains electrical wires inside, making it much easier to use. Here are some of the major advantages of this type of sheath:

  • EASY TO USE: no need to run electrical wires through the sheath;
  • FAST INSTALLATION: saves time during installation by avoiding the cable pulling stage;
  • PRACTICAL: the electrical wires inside are often coloured for easy identification;
  • EASILY ADJUSTABLE: wires can be added or removed from the sheath as required.

When should I choose a prefabricated ICTA sheath?

Pre-wired ICTA sheaths are ideal for standardised electrical installations that do not require special cables. For example, if you are carrying out electrical installation work in a new house or a complete renovation, opting for pre-wired ducting can save you time and energy during installation.

Comparison between bare and pre-wired ICTA ducts

To choose the type of ICTA sheath that best suits your needs, it is essential to compare their respective characteristics and advantages:

  • Cost: Bare sheaths are generally less expensive than pre-wired sheaths because they contain no electrical wires. However, you need to take into account the cost of the wires;
  • Installation: The ease of use and time savings offered by pre-wired ducts can compensate for their higher cost when you consider ease of installation;
  • Flexibility: Bare sheaths allow customisation of the cables to be used, while pre-wired sheaths offer a limited but practical choice to meet standard requirements;
  • Strength: Choosing between the different types of profiles and materials available for bare ducts can help you better adapt to the technical requirements encountered on your site.

Find the right ICTA sheath for your needs

Once you’ve decided on the type of ICTA conduit best suited to your electrical projects, don’t hesitate to consult the catalogues of different manufacturers to compare offers and select a conduit that meets your criteria of quality, mechanical or chemical resistance and, of course, your budget.