Best Outdoor Electrical Conduit: 2025 Expert Review
Oli
Owner & Head Electrician, OR Electrics
Running power outside typically involves one major headache: mechanical protection. In Leeds, where we deal with a lot of stone-built properties and back-to-back terraces, chasing wires into walls isn't always an option. We often have to surface mount cables, and that means they need serious defending from the elements.
Many homeowners think any old plastic tube will do. But standard indoor PVC goes brittle under UV light within a couple of summers, and before you know it, you've got exposed live conductors. That is a serious fire risk and a guaranteed failure on your next EICR.
In this review, I'm looking at three types of conduit suitable for different scenarios. We have a budget option for cable organising, a professional-grade steel reinforced conduit for EV chargers and permanent installs, and a transparent option for specific inspection needs.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Waterproof vs. Weather-Resistant"
"If the conduit is plastic, the latching stops the water getting in."
Plastic sweats. Even if rain doesn't get in, condensation forms inside. Without proper IP-rated glands or drain holes, you could be drowning your cables. Real waterproofing comes from the terminations, not just the tube.
The Spec: "Impact Protection"
"Any conduit will stop a spade or a lawnmower."
Standard flexible plastic crushes easily. For areas where mechanical damage is likely (like near a driveway EV charger), you need steel-core or SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
Black Corrugated Conduit Split Plastic Flexible Cable Tidy Solution
On1shelf
This is a basic split conduit. Ideally, this is for organising messy cables rather than heavy-duty outdoor protection. Because it is split along the length, it is NOT waterproof, but it offers a decent layer of UV and abrasion protection for cables that are already insulated.
The Good
- Extremely cheap and easy to fit
- Split design means you don't have to disconnect plugs to fit it
- Good for adding a layer of UV protection to existing black cables
The Bad
- Zero water resistance due to split design
- Offers minimal impact protection
- Not suitable for burying or exposed mains wiring
Installer Tip:
Do not treat this as 'waterproof conduit'. I use this to tidy up the low-voltage sensor wires for garden lights or to wrap around a cable rubbing against a rough brick wall. Never rely on this to keep mains voltage dry.
Priced at £6.15 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonOutdoor Flexible Metal Cable Trunking | Galvanised PVC Coated Conduit (IP54)
ArmaKit
This is the proper gear. It features a galvanised steel core with a PVC coating, making it resistant to rust, UV, and crushing. It comes as a full contractor pack with glands and locknuts. This is exactly the sort of protection required for the final connection to an EV charger where SWA cable is too stiff.
The Good
- Excellent mechanical protection (steel core)
- UV stable PVC coating prevents sun damage
- Includes proper glands for terminating into a junction box
The Bad
- Significantly more expensive than plastic
- Harder to cut (requires a hacksaw)
Installer Tip:
When cutting this, standard side cutters won't work. You need a hacksaw. Be careful of the sharp steel edge after cutting—always ensure the plastic ferrule (if supplied) or the gland sits correctly so the metal edge doesn't nick the cable insulation.
Priced at £37.25 at the time of writing
Check Price on Amazon25MM ID - 3 Metre Clear PVC Flexible Conduit Outdoor Cable Coil
HOSES UK
A transparent PVC conduit is unusual for standard domestic wiring, but acts as a fantastic problem solver for specific runs where you need to verify cable integrity visually. It's tough, waterproof, and allows you to spot moisture ingress immediately before it causes a trip.
The Good
- Transparency allows for easy visual inspection of cables
- Very flexible compared to steel conduit
- Reinforced wall avoids easy kinking
The Bad
- Clear PVC can sometimes yellow after years of intense direct sunlight
- Doesn't offer the same crush resistance as steel
Installer Tip:
This is excellent for runs where you suspect rodents might be an issue. If you see gnaw marks or water inside the tube, you can identify the fault location without ripping the whole system out. Use it for tricky underground bends.
Priced at £12.64 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Do I always need conduit for outdoor wiring?
Can I use grey electric plumbing pipe as conduit?
What size conduit do I need for an EV charger?
Is flexible conduit better than rigid?
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