Trunking vs. Conduit: Which Cable Management System is Right for You?

In electrical work, making sure that your wiring and cables are secure, organized, and safe is the highest priority. Both trunking and conduit systems do more than just keep the cables organized. They also protect them from damage from outside sources while keeping your electrical setup neat and running efficiently. Whether you’re wiring a home or business, poor cable management will lead to potential hazards in the long run.

Choosing the right cable organizational containment system, like either Trunking or Conduit, is the two most popular choices; you need to consider factors such as the visibility of the cables, the material needed to keep wires from eroding, and compatibility with the building structure. Understanding what fits your system is important because the wrong one could cause damage, and even though Trunking and Conduit are often used interchangeably when talking about electrical wiring, they have a variety of differences.

Explore the differences between trunking and conduit, and learn about what they are, their key differences, and the pros and cons of each. Decide on which cable wire organizational system to use to keep your cables organized, safe, and protected.

For a quick look at what conduits and trunking look like, take a look at this quick video explanation from Preston College TV.

To put it simply, conduit is a type of protective tubing often used to enclose and safeguard electrical wiring from physical damage, moisture, and other environmental hazards in installations. Conduit provides a solid and sturdy path for electrical cables to pass through, making sure that it remains intact and protected over time. It’s commonly used in both commercial and industrial installations, along with residential jobs, if it requires an added warning of potential outdoor exposure or a need for more durability.

If you need a heavy-duty option, RMC is the one to choose. It’s made from galvanized steel to provide maximum protection even in the harshest environments. This conduit is ideal for outdoor installations, especially in industrial settings where, most often, there tends to be a lot of work happening and impact resistance is a requirement. Overall, RMC tends to be tough, bulky, and built to withstand almost everything that gets thrown at it.

PVC conduit, on the other hand, is different from both RMC and EMC because it’s made from plastic. Though not made from steel, it’s known for its corrosion resistance because it doesn’t rust like its metal counterparts. PVC is ideal for underground installations or areas where it’ll be exposed to water frequently. Not only does it not rust, but it’s also non-conductive, adding an extra layer to electrical setups. Overall, PVC is lightweight and affordable for residential and light commercial applications.

1. Protection from Physical Damage: Conduit acts as a shield for electrical wiring, protecting it from being cut, crushed, step-on, or otherwise damaged. Whether the wires are running through a wall, underground, or out in the open, conduit keeps them safe from harm and humans safe from them.
2. Outdoor/Industrial Applications: Conduit is a favorite for outdoor or industrial environments, where cables might face exposure to the elements or heavy machinery. Its durability ensures that the wiring stays secure, even in rough conditions like extreme temperatures, moisture, or UV exposure.
3. High Durability for Rugged Environments: For installations in places like factories, construction sites, or other heavy-duty environments, conduit provides the toughness required to keep wiring systems functional and safe. Conduits like RMC, EMC, and PVC can handle harsh environments and are able to offer long-term protection against wear and tear, corrosion, and impact.

Just like Conduit, trunking has specific cable management needs. For basic, affordable setups, you’ll want something lightweight, easy to install, and resistant to corrosion, ideal for everyday residential or commercial use. In more demanding environments like industrial or construction sites, durability, fire resistance, and impact protection are top priorities, requiring heavy-duty materials to keep cables safe. If electromagnetic interference is a concern on the jobsite, systems that offer proper shielding and earthing are needed to protect against interference. In smaller spaces, a compact solution is often necessary to keep cables hidden and organized without taking up much room.

Each type of trunking addresses these needs differently and effectively.

The most common type of trunking is PVC trunking. It’s popular because of its affordability, ease of installation, and corrosion resistance. PVC trunking is set up to be flexible and lightweight making it easy to both maneuver and easily cut to fit your needs. For residential and commercial settings, PVC trunking is also widely used because of its aesthetic appeal and professional look by cleaning up the wires from out in the open. Plus, it's available in various sizes.

EMC Trunking 

For installations that deal with electromagnetic compatibility, EMC trunking is used to protect against interference while ensuring proper grounding. By using dedicated EMC cables, glands, and shielding, this type of trunking helps to minimize electromagnetic radiation and reduces the risk of short circuits.

When you’re working with high-current cabling, using a trunking system that is designed for electrical applications is important to make sure that there is effective screening and protection.

Bus-Bar Trunking

Mini Trunking

1. Indoor Applications: Trunking is mainly used indoors because it helps to keep wiring both clean and organized. Whether it’s an office or a commercial building, trunking makes sure that cables and wires are kept out of sight and out of mind while remaining accessible to technicians.
2. Easier Cable Access and Expansion: Trunking’s main advantage is that it allows for easy cable access even after installation. If you need to add more wiring, make repairs, or reroute cables, trunking makes it simple—just pop open the channel, fix or replace the wires, and close it back up. This flexibility is a significant reason why it’s preferred in environments where systems need regular maintenance or adjustments.

Trunking is all about convenience and adaptability, perfect for installations that may require changes. It offers a flexible, organized, and visually clean way to manage cables, especially in indoor environments.

The factors to consider when choosing between conduit and trunking for electrical installations include installation steps, cost, durability, and flexibility. 

Conduit, on the one hand, takes more time and skillset to install because it tends to involve more strenuous work through cutting, bending, and specialized tools, while trunking offers professionals a quicker, cut-to-fit approach that needs few tools to get the job done, making it great for projects that are finishing quickly.

When it comes to costs, conduit tends to be on the more expensive side due to the overall material costs and labor that go into installation, whereas trunking is the more budget-friendly option with lower material costs and less labor-intensive installation because of its openness.

In terms of durability and ruggedness, conduit is what’s commonly used for harsh environments because it’s able to provide advanced protection against physical damage, moisture, and fire. Trunking, on the other hand, is best suited for indoor environments like offices or homes out of the elements because it’s not fully enclosed to provide easy access to professionals.

Lastly, flexibility on jobs is important to be aware of because, depending on the project, you may need more ways to manipulate the protection for wires. 

Trunking offers more flexibility and easier access for future modifications or cable additions. At the same time, conduit can be harder to modify once installed, making it less ideal for environments where frequent wiring changes can happen.

Conduit:

1. Requires cutting and bending

2. More time-consuming installation

3. Needs specialized tools and skilled labor

Trunking:

1. Simple cut-and-fit installation

2. Quick to install, minimal tools needed

3. Ideal for fast projects or minimal disruption

Conduit:

1. Higher cost due to materials (especially metal conduits like RMC and EMT)

2. Labor-intensive, leading to increased installation costs

Trunking:

1. More budget-friendly

2. Lower material costs, especially with PVC

3. Less labor-intensive, saving on time and money

Conduit:

1. Extremely durable, ideal for harsh environments

2. Provides strong protection from physical damage, moisture, and fire

3. Suitable for industrial, outdoor, or high-impact areas

Trunking:

1. Suitable for low-stress, indoor environments

2. Provides adequate protection in offices, homes, and commercial spaces

3. Not designed for extreme conditions or heavy impact

Conduit:

1. Difficult to modify or expand once installed

2. Adding cables or making changes requires significant effort, sometimes dismantling sections

3. Less suited for environments requiring frequent wiring updates

Trunking:

1. Easy to open and adjust wiring

2. Simple to add new cables or reroute existing ones

3. Ideal for spaces needing frequent changes, like offices or school

Industrial Settings
Conduit is the clear choice for industrial environments, where safety and durability are paramount. It’s built to handle harsh conditions and protect wiring from physical and environmental threats.

Commercial or Office Spaces
For accessibility and flexibility, trunking is ideal in commercial or office environments. Its easy access allows for frequent updates, making it perfect for areas where wiring needs may evolve over time.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Needs
When deciding between conduit and trunking, consider the balance between upfront costs and long-term maintenance. Conduit offers durability and low maintenance for long-term use, while trunking provides flexibility and cost savings, especially if frequent wiring changes are anticipated.

In the end, whether you go with trunking or conduit depends on the project’s environment and future needs. Conduit stands out in tough industrial spaces where durability and safety are key, but it requires more time and money upfront. 

On the flip side, trunking offers a budget-friendly, easy-access option that works well in offices and commercial buildings where flexibility and quick updates are important. 

So, when choosing between these two cable management systems, think about the long-term demands of your job—whether you need rugged protection or simple adaptability.