The comprehensive guide to flexible conduits

• 27th February 2024

Considering purchasing flexible conduits to help you with your cable management project? Discover everything you need to know about the different types available, their uses and advantages to help you make an informed choice.

If you’re sick of the tangled mess of wires behind your TV unit or need a fuss-free way to organise the cables beneath your work-from-home desk (yes, people still work remotely in 2024!), we’ve got the solution you’ve been looking for.

Flexible conduits.

Suitable for a range of commercial, industrial and domestic wiring projects, flexible conduits are available in many different forms and have countless advantages for your wiring system.

In this post, our experts at Flex It walk you through the different types of conduits, their uses, and how they could benefit your project.

Types of flexible conduits

Generally, flexible conduits are available in two different forms:

Metallic

From plain galvanised steel and PVC-coated steel to LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) covered steel, there are many different types of metallic conduits available for you to choose from.

They can be used for all sorts of commercial, industrial and domestic projects, thanks to their spiral construction and ability to snake through walls and a variety of other structures. But they’re most popular in indoor commercial wiring projects, in particular.

Metallic conduits are typically more expensive than their non-metallic counterparts, as they’re made from much stronger materials and tend to have a longer lifespan.

Non-metallic

Non-metallic conduits are available in many different varieties, from extra HD PVC spiral reinforced to split PA6 nylon  – among others.

They’re much better suited to outdoor applications, thanks to their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and corrosion-resistance capabilities, but they can be used for pretty much any other application you can imagine.

Uses of flexible conduits

As we touched on above, both metallic and non-metallic conduits are used for many different things – but what exactly?

Metallic conduits are designed to provide excellent protection from the elements and can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, fires and other adverse conditions. This makes them an excellent choice for the most demanding commercial and industrial projects, like lighting applications, underfloor heating and other high-temperature projects.

If you need something waterproof to shield your cables from excess moisture, you may be better off opting for a non-metallic alternative or considering a PVC-coated liquid-tight metallic conduit instead.

Non-metallic conduits, on the other hand, are incredibly versatile and provide a reliable cable management solution for several indoor and outdoor applications.

Typical uses include ground burial, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units, pools and spas.

Advantages of flexible conduits

Flexible conduits come with a number of advantages, including:

• They provide excellent protection for your cables and wires – perhaps the most obvious benefit of flexible conduits is their ability to shield and protect wires that would otherwise be susceptible to wear and tear. With flexible conduits, you can be confident your cables are safe from fire, pests, impact, corrosion and a whole host of other potential threats.
• Easy installation – all types of flexible conduits are incredibly easy to install. With their incredible flexibility, routing your wires is simple and the process requires minimal time and effort.
• Enhanced cable management – Flexible conduits are great for helping you keep your wires organised, and with your wires neat and tidy, you won’t have heaps of tangles cluttering up your space.

However, both metallic and non-metallic conduits offer a set of unique benefits, which you should weigh up before you invest in them for your wiring project.

Metallic conduits, for example, offer unmatched heat resistance, whereas non-metallic alternatives may not be able to withstand such extreme temperatures as effectively.

Non-metallic conduits, however, are able to withstand much harsher weather conditions than their metallic counterparts, and are much more corrosion-resistant, too.

Shop high-quality flexible conduits online at Flex It!

Looking for high-quality flexible conduits?

We’ve got you covered here at Flex It.

All of our flexible conduits, including both metal and non-metal varieties are made from quality materials, so you can be confident you’re getting the best value for your money.

To find out more about our collection, or for our expert recommendations, you’re more than welcome to get in touch with our team.

Give us a call today on 01530 812 195 or email us at sales@flex-it.co.uk and we’ll get back to you shortly.