Differences Between Electrical Concealed Wiring and Open Wiring!

As a word suggest concealed means “Hidden”. So, this wiring is done inside the floors/walls and it is further concealed/ hidden by plastering the wall. In other words, using plastic or electrical wiring inside a wall, ceiling or floor with plastic or metallic piping is called secret concealed conduit wiring.

• As a word suggests open means exposed. It is a wiring method using cleats, knobs, tubes and flexible tubing for the protection and support of insulated conductors running, on walls and not concealed or hidden under any elements of building.

• Concealed conduit electrical wiring system is the most popular, aesthetically beautiful and stronger. It is most as it is common type of electrical wiring used nowadays, as the surface look neat and clean.

• Open wiring system does not give aesthetically good look. Nowadays this system is rarely used.

• For concealed wiring system, professional electrician/ technician needs to be more skilled.

• Here too, the need of skilled professional electrician/ technician cannot be denied.

• In this system there is no risk of mechanical injury.

• In this system there is a risk of mechanical injury to users.

• In this wiring system there is no risk of electrical shock to users from cable.

• In this wiring system chance of electrical shock is more to users.

• Concealed wiring helps to maintain the aesthetic look of wall, as it looks neat and clean and render surface plain for further decoration.

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• The wire runs on surface which gives ugly look. Case of this system, aesthetic look of wall can be maintained by covering it with decorative and protective materials which may add to the cost.

• Concealed wiring system is safe and durable.

• Open wiring system is not that safe and durable as compared to concealed wiring.

• Risk of fire due to short circuit inside is always more.

• Risk of fire due to short circuit is also present in open wiring system. But it is easily visible so chances of fire can be prevented or reduced easily.

• This system is expensive (costly) as compared to open wiring system.

• This system is less expensive (costly) as compared to concealed wiring system.

• For making channel/ chases in the wall, it requires more time.

• In this system no channels or chase are required in wall. So, less time is consumed.

• In this wiring system all the wires are in closed Electrical conduit, therefore fault cannot found easily and cannot be fixed quickly and easily.

• In this wiring system all the cables are in open air, therefore fault can be easily detected and can be fixed quickly.

• It is challenging to work as compared to open wiring.

• In open wiring system, installation of wiring on the wall is easy as compared to concealed wiring.

• The whole wiring system cannot replace in short period of the time and material of wiring can or cannot reused at another place.

• The whole wiring system can be replaced in short period of the time and material of wiring may be reused at another place.

• Addition/Alteration in concealed wiring is very difficult.

• Addition/Alteration in open wiring is easy.

• Concealed wiring is most Reliable and popular wiring system now a day.

• Open wiring system is rarely used today.

• Weather conditions like rain, steam, humidity, chemical affects and smoke etc cannot affect easily or effect slowly.

• The weather conditions such as rain, oil, vapour, steam, humidity, chemical and smoke can easily and quickly affect open wiring system as compared to concealed wiring system.

• In this wiring system it is very complex to provide any additional connection in future. For additional connections you need help of experts.

• In open wiring system it is easy to provide additional connections in future.

• In concealed wiring system changing of location of appliances or switches is quite difficult.

• In open wiring system changing of location of appliances or switches is quite easy.

• There is no sag produce in concealed wire.

• After some duration sag is produced in open wire.

• Life of this system is long, if good quality cables are provided.

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• Life of this system is short until and unless quality of wire is good.

• To work on concealed wiring system, you need to plan in advance, and prepare detailed drawings and plan.

• To work for an open wiring system, you need less planning in advance as compared to concealed wiring.

• Repair work of this wiring system is very difficult.

• Repair work of this wiring system is very easy.

• For concealed wiring, Walls are cut and chase made which makes the walls weak or poor. So, the chances of leakage of water increases and chances of cracks in walls also increases.

• There is no need of any chasing work in open wiring work so chances of leakage of water and cracks are not there.

• Further as the chases are done after the walls are constructed; there would be cracks along the chase if it is not filled properly.

There is no need of any chases in this wiring system. Open wiring is done with the help of drilling in the wall. If drilling work is not done correctly, then there is a possibility of cracking in the wall

• Further many times water travels along the conduit and may travel up to switchboard causing safety concern. Many times ants and other insects appear and travel along chase.

• Such types of problems do not appear in the open wiring system.