G'day! You've seen it everywhere. It's that classic grey pipe running up the side of a brick wall, tucked neatly inside a garage, or keeping cables tidy in a workshop. That, mate, is the humble 20mm conduit, and it's a fair dinkum unsung hero of the electrical world.

It might not look like much, but this simple tube is the number one choice for protecting electrical wiring in Aussie homes and sheds. But why this specific size? And what's it actually for? Let's get the lowdown.

What is 20mm Conduit?

An electrical conduit is just a protective tube or pipe that electrical wires are run inside. Its one and only job is to protect those wires from getting knackered by moisture, impacts, UV rays, and anything else the world (or a stray footy) might throw at them.

The 20mm conduit is, by a long shot, the most common size used in residential and light commercial jobs in Australia. Why? Because it's the "Goldilocks" size.

It's not too big and bulky, but it's got just enough room inside to comfortably run the standard cables we use in our homes – like the 2.5mm² 'flat twin and earth' for your power points (GPOs) or the 1.5mm² cable for your lights. It's the perfect, most economical all-rounder.

The Ripper Benefits: Why Bother Using It?

You can't just leave cables flapping in the breeze, mate. Using conduit is a non-negotiable for a safe, professional, and long-lasting job.

• Serious Protection: This is its main job. It provides a tough, rigid barrier against physical impacts (like getting hit in the shed), moisture, and dust. Crucially, grey PVC 20mm conduit is UV-stabilised, so it won't break down and get brittle under the harsh Aussie sun.
• Electrical Safety: It provides a solid, non-conductive barrier, stopping you or your kids from accidentally touching the 240V cables inside.
• It's the Law (Compliance): The Australian Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000) have strict requirements about where and how cables must be protected. Using conduit is the proper, compliant way to run wiring in exposed locations.
• Makes Future Work a Breeze: This is a big one. A cable run inside a conduit is way easier for a qualified professional to upgrade or replace down the track. They can just pull the old wire out and feed a new one through.

The CRITICAL Safety Warning: This is NOT a DIY Job!

Righto, let's get serious for a sec, because this is the most important part of the whole article.

You, as a DIYer, can walk into any hardware store and buy a length of 20mm conduit and a few fittings. That's fine. You can even mount the empty conduit on your shed wall.

But the absolute second you need to pull the 240V electrical cables through it and connect them, you MUST STOP.

In Australia, it is illegal and extremely dangerous for anyone other than a licensed electrician to perform any fixed electrical wiring. A simple mistake can lead to a fatal electric shock or a house fire, and it will void your home insurance in a heartbeat. Don't be a galah – it's just not worth the risk.

A Professional Job Needs Professional Gear

When a licensed electrician turns up to run that new circuit to your shed, they're going to do the job right with trade-quality gear. They won't be using flimsy, no-name fittings. They'll be using high-quality, compliant components sourced from a trusted supplier.

As one of Australia's most electrical wholesaler, Schnap Electric Products stocks the lot for the professional installer. They've got a massive range of heavy-duty, UV-stabilised 20mm conduit, plus all the compliant fittings a qualified professional needs – from the bends, couplings, and saddles to the high-quality cable glands and weatherproof enclosures. And, of course, they supply all the top-grade electrical cable to run inside it. For a job that's safe, compliant, and built to last, the pros rely on a supplier like Schnap Electric.