ᐅ Electrical wiring, network, and satellite cables in conduits?

Hello everyone,

I have a question about electrical installation, as well as network and satellite cable wiring.

Is it common practice to install everything inside conduit, or are electrical cables usually run separately while network and satellite cables share a conduit? I have read in construction blogs that cables can also be pulled through conduits later by yourself.

What is the general approach regarding conduits? Would it be possible to pull a second or third cable through the same conduit later— for example, in the living room, to set up Dolby Surround speakers?

What options are available, and what do you consider to be practical?

Best regards,
Oliver

Separate. Besides future-proofing, separation is the reason for the conduit. It can be fiddly even later on, but it is possible.

Electrical wiring does not have to be installed in conduit, but it always makes sense under screed. In case of a defect, you can simply chisel open the plaster on a wall if needed, but you definitely want to avoid removing the screed and underfloor heating.

I would always run satellite and network cables in conduit, as well as audio or other extras, although for Dolby systems you usually need dedicated wiring anyway.

Adding a second cable later through the standard 20mm (¾ inch) conduit can be quite challenging or even impossible, but it is possible (somehow). If you can avoid it, I would recommend avoiding it.

SAT/network/audio, etc. routed in empty conduits.
Electrical wiring under the screed in empty conduits, and from the point where it transitions to the wall, embedded in plaster without conduits.
If there is space available, cables can be pulled through by attaching a pull string to the old cable, pulling the old cable out (which pulls the string through), and then pulling the new cable or two new cables back in using the pull string.

If there is an issue with the electrical cable, the plaster would need to be chiseled out, the cable replaced (through the empty conduit under the screed), and then the area replastered or patched. As far as I know, this should not be a major problem with standard gypsum plaster.

This is my understanding of the common methods used.

Grym schrieb:
SAT/network/audio etc. in empty conduits.
Electrical wiring under the screed in empty conduits, and from the transition to the wall there under plaster without empty conduits.

I wouldn’t generalize it like that. There are plenty of electricians who run empty conduits directly into the boxes, meaning they place a conduit into the wall chase.

--> @KrustyDerClown: You need to agree with your electrician how they will do it or how you want it to be done.

For network, SAT, etc., I would use 32mm (1 1/4 inch) conduits instead of 20mm (3/4 inch).