The Evcco range of Australian-manufactured and environmentally friendly halogen-free conduits, available from Albatech , have been installed by the New Era Group into stations on one of NSW’s major infrastructure projects, the Epping-Chatswood Rail Link (ECRL).

The electrical cabling installation, one of the first for the Evcco product,  complied with the requirements of NSW Railway’s Safety Guidelines for Fire and Life, which encompass a range of requirements for building products used underground, including ensuring that they produce no corrosive or toxic flue gases in the event of a fire.

The polymer conduits weigh about one eighth the equivalent made of steel and is easier to transport and install, says the Operations Manager for New Era Group, Andrew Parramore.

New Era specialises in providing customised installations for security, data, automation control and electrical systems, working on major construction and infrastructure projects including the New Southern Railway (Airport Link) and the City Underground Fire, EWIS and Camera upgrades.

On the Epping Chatswood project, which will cost more than $2 billion, New Era used the Evcco product at the Macquarie Park, Macquarie University, Delhi Road, Epping and Chatswood stations, where it was easy to work with and quick to install.

A traditionally metal conduit is cheaper to buy initially, but more expensive to install, which can be a major factor in installations involving confined or underground spaces. It can also demand more expensive specialised trades, such as welding, and is more difficult to modify as infrastructure needs change, and to remove for recycling.

The Evcco range of safety conduits offer a halogen-free flame retardant polymer formulated as an alternative to PVC conduit and containing no known toxins.

The four types of Australian-manufactured conduit are used to carry electrical cabling in surface and sub-surface applications and also used within safety equipment such as aspiration systems and air sampling systems for protection against smoke and toxicity.

All are lighter and easier to install than metal and PVC conduits, but do not contain environmental and safety hazards that can leach into soil or be released into the air by fire.

The conduits, available in sizes ranging from 20-110mm (outside diameter), are complemented by a comprehensive range of junction boxes, inspection elbows and tees, bends and adaptors.

Designed to improve industrial risk management in applications ranging from factories, infrastructure, gas processing, mineral processing, coal washing, and petroleum and food and primary product processing plants, the new Evcco range comprises:

  • ENVIRO halogen-free M.D. UV-stabilised conduit
  • STD halogen-free, flame-retardant (HFFR) M.D. conduit with long-term UV protection
  • Hi-Po (HFFR) H.D. conduit with high impact resistance and long-term UV protection
  • FRAS (HFFR) H.D. conduit with anti-static properties, high impact resistance, and long-term UV protection FRAS conduit is used where static electricity may be an issue, such as grain silos, coal storage, petro-chemical plants, solvent and paint manufacturing and gas processing

Designed to easily follow the contours of tunnels, trenches and structures, rather than being bent or welded into shape, the Evcco range has been formulated for maximum environmental benefit without degrading overall performance, including impact resistance.