Electrical Conduits 101: Types, Uses, and Trade Tips

If you work in electrical, construction, or building projects, you know how important it is to keep cables and wires safe. That’s where Electrical Conduits come in. These simple but powerful tools protect, organize, and guide your electrical cables. Whether you’re wiring a home, installing solar panels, or working on an NBN (National Broadband Network) job, the right conduit pipe makes all the difference. In this article, we’ll walk through the different types of conduits electrical professionals use every day across Australia. We’ll also break down which jobs they’re best for without getting into technical jargon.

What Are Electrical Conduits?

Electrical conduits are tubes or pipes made to protect electrical wires. You can think of them as a shield or tunnel for your cabling. They can be made of plastic or metal and come in many types. You can find these electrical conduits in rigid or flexible, smooth or corrugated varieties.

Conduits help:

  • Protect wires from damage
  • Keep jobs looking tidy
  • Make future upgrades easier
  • Stay compliant with Australian building codes

Types of Electrical Conduits for Different Projects:

Rigid Grey Conduit / Solar Conduit

The rigid grey conduit is a strong, straight pipe made from PVC. It’s perfect for standard indoor and outdoor jobs. When you need something that stands up to Australian heat, rain, and sun. Therefore, if you are working on solar installation project, then solar conduit is a top pick.

Use for:

  • Solar panel installations
  • General wiring in walls
  • Outdoor electrical runs

Orange Heavy Duty Conduit

If your cables are going underground or into areas with more pressure and movement, go for the orange heavy duty conduit. Its bright color makes it easy to spot (and avoid during digging), and it’s tough enough for harsh sites.

Use for:

  • Underground wiring
  • Construction zones
  • Commercial and civil works

Communications Conduit / NBN Conduit

With more homes and businesses connecting to the NBN, communications conduit (also called NBN conduit) is a must. It’s made to handle phone, internet, and data cables. These conduits are sized and colored to meet comms standards.

Use for:

  • NBN installations
  • Data networks
  • Smart home systems

Grey Corrugated Conduit

Do you need electrical conduits that are bendy and quick to install? The grey corrugated conduit is flexible and lightweight. It’s easy to guide through tricky spots like roof spaces, under floors, or behind walls. It’s not as strong as rigid pipe, but it’s great for low-pressure areas.

Use for:

  • Internal walls and ceilings
  • Residential wiring
  • Low-impact areas

Orange Corrugated Conduit

The orange corrugated conduit is similar to grey corrugated conduit but tougher and easier to see underground. These electrical conduits are made for underground cable runs where movement or bending is needed. It’s still flexible but holds up better in rough spots.

Use for:

  • Underground services
  • Driveways and footpaths
  • Outdoor lighting cables

Communications Corrugated Conduit

Communications corrugated conduit tends to combine flexibility with safety for data cabling. When you need to run fiber optics or phone lines through tight or curvy spaces, this is a smart choice.

Use for:

  • Office networks 
  • Home networking
  • Behind walls or desks

Flexible PVC Conduit

Flexible PVC conduit is your go-to for general flexibility and light-duty use. It bends around corners without fittings and protects wires from bumps, moisture, and dust.

Use for:

  • Under benches
  • Workstations
  • Industrial machinery

White PVC Cable Duct

White PVC cable ducts help you keep everything neat and tidy. They’re used in offices and homes to carry cables along walls or ceilings in a clean, easy-to-manage way. These ducts open and close for quick changes.

Use for:

  • Office electrical systems
  • TV and speaker wire setups
  • Surface-mounted cabling

Floor Trunking

When running cables along floors, floor trunking is the safest way to go. It protects wires from foot traffic and makes them less of a trip hazard. It also looks cleaner in public spaces.

Use for:

  • Commercial floors
  • Home entertainment areas
  • Temporary setups at events

Metal Conduit

If you want to get fire safety and strength matters the most for your project, then you can go with metal conduits. Often used in factories, warehouses, or places with heavy gear, this conduit won’t melt or break under heat. It’s ideal for places that need extra protection.

Use for:

  • Industrial sites
  • Commercial buildings
  • High-temperature areas

Black Corrugated / Firesafe LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)

This black corrugated conduit is a special type designed for fire-prone areas. It has LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) properties, meaning it doesn’t release toxic smoke if it burns. It’s safer for enclosed or crowded areas.

Use for:

  • Hospitals and schools
  • Tunnels and underground stations
  • High-rise buildings

Top Electrical Conduits for Your Next Project: 

  • 25mm 50m BLACK LS Zero Halogen Firesafe Corrugated
  • 32mm x 1.6 Metal Conduit 4 Meters
  • 32mm White Communications Conduit 4 Meter Length
  • SOLAR CORRUGATED CONDUIT 25mm GREY 50 Meter Roll
  • 32mm x 10 Meters Orange Corrugated Conduit
  • 25mm Communications Corrugated Conduit 25 Meters
  • 32mm x 10 Meters PVC Flexible Conduit Grey
  • 25mm x 16mm White Cable Duct 4 Meter Length
  • 80mm x 12mm x 2 Meters Long Floor Trunk

Where to Buy Great Quality Electrical Conduits? 

No matter your trade, electrical, building, or telecom, using the right conduits electrical setups can make or break the job. Therefore, you need to choose the proper electrical conduits as they protect your work, your crew, and the people who’ll use the space. If you’re on the hunt for an Australian wholesale electrical supply store with a wide range of electrical conduits, then you should check out AGM Electrical Supplies. They provide market competitive pricing along with low shipping fees. You can also browse their extensive selection of electrical products, tools, and accessories by visiting their showroom, which is open 7 days a week. Order today and improve the quality of your clients’ projects without breaking the bank!

FAQs: 

1. What is the best conduit pipe for solar panel installations?
Use rigid grey conduit or solar conduit for solar jobs. It’s UV-resistant, tough in harsh Aussie weather, and meets industry standards for solar panel wiring on rooftops or outdoor spaces.

2. Which electrical conduit should I use underground?
For underground work, go with orange heavy duty conduit or orange corrugated conduit. Both are durable, easily visible, and designed to handle tough soil and construction site conditions safely.

3. What’s the safest conduit for hospitals or fire zones?
Black corrugated LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) conduit is ideal. It reduces toxic smoke during fires and is used in hospitals, tunnels, and high-rise buildings for better fire safety and compliance.

4. Can I use flexible conduit behind walls or ceilings?
Yes, grey corrugated or flexible PVC conduit is perfect for tight or curved spaces behind walls, under floors, and through ceilings. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and great for indoor wiring.

5. Where can I buy affordable electrical conduits in Australia?
Check out AGM Electrical Supplies. They offer a wide range of electrical conduits, market competitive pricing, low shipping fees, and a 7-day showroom. Perfect for builders, sparkies, and contractors.

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