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If you’re rewiring a room, tidying cables in a workshop, or putting together a smart-home setup, electrical conduit and trunking are the unsung heroes that keep wiring neat, safe, and future-proof. Think of them as the roadways for your electricity: without clear lanes, traffic jams and accidents happen. In this article I’ll walk you through the common products (including items you’ll see from suppliers like Expert Electrical), explain how to pick the right size and material, and point you to the best UK outlets to buy from — whether you’re a weekend DIYer or a professional spark.
Conduit does more than hide cables. It protects wiring from knocks, moisture, and dust, reduces trip hazards, and makes maintenance simpler. And let’s be honest: a tidy run of trunking looks infinitely better than a spaghetti bowl of wires. When you choose the correct conduit system, you cut the risk of accidental damage and make future upgrades or repairs easier, saving time and money down the road.
There are lots of names and sizes out there, from rigid metal conduit to flexible plastic trunking. Some are designed for indoors, others for outdoor or underground use. A few popular product lines you’ll spot in UK stores include Falcon trunking ranges, Wiska contractor kits for secure entries, and Walraven fixing solutions. Below I break down common variants and what they’re best for.
The Falcon white channel that’s commonly sold is roughly 1 inch across — a tidy option for light-duty cable runs behind skirting or up walls where you need a low-profile look. It’s great for household data and power cables when you don’t need a deep channel. Easy to cut and snap together, this style is perfect for quick fixes and neat visible runs.
For runs that need to sit in corner joins or at flat angles, the Falcon flat angle trunking — approximately 1 inch by 5/8 inch — gives a slim solution that blends into the angle between a wall and ceiling or window frame. Its slim profile works well for network cables and low-voltage wiring where you want the trunking to be unobtrusive.
If you’re covering long runs or need extra capacity for multiple cables, Falcon mini trunking that measures about 1.6 inches by 1 inch and comes in long coils (roughly 98 ft 5 in) is handy. It offers more internal space for combining power and data lines and is commonly used in commercial fit-outs and larger residential projects.
Bends and elbows like the slip type bend (about 13/16 inch internal diameter) are essential for directing conduit around corners without stressing the cable. Slip-type bends simplify routing around obstructions and keep the internal bend radius generous enough to avoid damaging conductors.
Wiska-branded contractor kits are popular where secure gland and entry points are needed. The kits are typically specified by thread size — M20, M25, M32 — which translate to roughly 13/16 inch, 1 inch, and 1.26 inches respectively. These kits are useful when connecting conduit to equipment, junction boxes, or containment systems where a watertight or robust entry is required.
When attaching conduit or trunking to steelwork or beams, fasteners like the Walraven Britclips combination clips make life easier. Sold in packs, these are designed for speedy, secure installation on structural members and are particularly useful on site where speed and reliability matter.
Expert Electrical is frequently stocked with the kind of trunking and contractor kits I’ve described, making it a go-to for professionals and savvy DIYers. But it’s not the only option. Other trusted UK suppliers include Screwfix, Wickes, B&Q, Toolstation, City Electrical Factors (CEF), RS Components, Travis Perkins, and Jewson. Each of these has its strengths: some excel for trade-level variety and bulk-buy pricing, while others are better for in-store convenience and impulse-purchase needs.
Trade suppliers like CEF and RS often carry specialist items and higher-volume packs; they’re excellent for contractors or anyone fitting out multiple rooms. DIY chains such as Screwfix, Wickes, and B&Q tend to focus on widely used trunking sizes and homeowner-friendly packs. If you need a specific clip, a particular size of bend, or large rolls for commercial work, check trade outlets first — they usually have deeper stock and more technical support.
Choosing correctly comes down to three things: material, capacity, and compatibility with fittings. Ask yourself what environment the conduit will sit in, how many cables need to fit, and whether you’ll require waterproof entries or fire-rated components. Let’s unpack each factor so you can make the best call.
PVC is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to cut — ideal for indoor trunking and cable management. Metal conduit (steel or galvanised) offers superior mechanical protection and is commonly used in industrial or outdoor locations. Flexible conduit works where movement or vibration is present. Match the material to the environment: damp or outdoor locations often need a more robust solution.
When sizing, think about the cable diameter and how many runs you’ll combine. Trunking channels from about 1 inch up to several inches are common in homes; choose larger channels for multiple power and data cables. For long continuous runs, boxes and bends need to accommodate the combined girth — make sure bends are large enough so you’re not asking cables to kink. If you’re unsure, oversize by one standard to give extra breathing room.
Don’t overlook the small bits. Clips and beam fasteners (like Walraven Britclips) keep runs secure; bends and entry glands (like Wiska kits in sizes around 13/16 inch to 1.26 inch) make transitions neat and watertight; and trunking covers should snap on cleanly for a tidy finish. Buying matched components reduces headaches at installation time.
Good installation practices save time and future headaches. Plan the route before you cut anything, use the right fixings for the substrate (masonry, plasterboard, or steel), and keep bends gentle to protect conductors. Label runs if you’re putting in multiple circuits — a little tape or printed marker saves a lot of guessing later. Also, measure twice and cut once: accurate runs give a professional finish.
If you’re shopping the specific items typically stocked by specialist distributors such as Expert Electrical, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which fit your project. The Falcon trunking range is great for visual runs and smaller circuits; mini trunking in larger sizes is ideal where multiple cables need to be collected. Wiska contractor kits are best when you need reliable cable entry points. Walraven fixing systems suit structural attachments where strength matters.
For a tidy living-room AV install, Falcon white channels (about 1 inch) or flat-angle sections (about 1 inch by 5/8 inch) give the cleanest look. For running multiple cables down a basement wall or in a shop fit-out, the larger mini trunking (about 1.6 inch x 1 inch, long lengths) is more practical. For connecting into equipment or creating a neat, sealed entry, Wiska contractor kits with the appropriate thread size are the go-to. And for mounting long runs to steel beams, Walraven clips make life quicker and safer.
Prices vary widely by retailer and by whether you buy single pieces or trade packs. Bulk buying from trade suppliers commonly lowers the per-unit cost, while DIY chains might charge a small premium but give easy returns and local pickup. Comparison shopping is worth the effort: check online listings from multiple suppliers for bulk discounts, seasonal offers, or free-in-store collection options. If you’re ordering a lot, request a trade quote — you might be surprised at the savings.
Not all conduit work requires a professional, but any job involving live circuits, new outlets, or alterations to fixed wiring should be left to a qualified electrician. Simple trunking runs and non-live cable management are reasonable DIY jobs if you’re comfortable with basic tools. If in doubt, book a consultation — spending a little upfront on professional advice can prevent expensive rework.
Electrical conduit and trunking might seem like minor details, but they make a big difference to safety, longevity, and the finished look of a project. Whether you choose Falcon trunking for sleek finishes, Wiska kits for secure entries, or Walraven clips for fast mounting, pick components suited to the environment and cable load. Expert Electrical and a number of UK retailers stock these common lines, so compare prices, double-check sizes using the imperial equivalents above, and plan your route before cutting. A well-chosen and well-installed conduit system is like good foundations for a house: you won’t notice it until something goes wrong — and with the right choices, it won’t.
| £ 183,28 |
