Electrical PVC Conduit in Egypt 2026 — Types, Sizes & Installation Depths
An electrical conduit is not just wire protection — it determines your ability to replace or add wires in the future without breaking walls again. Choosing the wrong size or type means extra labour and finishing problems. This guide explains everything with figures.
By the Ases Kahraba team — Last updated: March 2026
Quick Answer
Complete guide to electrical PVC conduit in Egypt 2026 — rigid vs flexible vs corrugated, sizing table by wire count, El Sewedy and Draftex prices, and common installation mistakes.
Key Topics in This Guide
- Types of electrical conduit: Rigid PVC for wall and ceiling runs — Flexible PVC for bends and transitions — Corrugated for under-screed and floor runs. In Egypt, rigid conduit dominates rough-in work.
- Core sizing table: Ø16mm (lighting circuit, 3–4 × 1.5mm² wires) — Ø20mm (general circuits, 3–4 × 2.5mm²) — Ø25mm (AC feed, 3 × 4–6mm²) — Ø32mm (sub-panel or large AC feed) — Ø40/50mm (mains cables and three-phase feeds). Rule: wires must not fill more than 40% of the conduit cross-section.
- Brands in Egypt 2026: El Sewedy — highest quality and most widely available, Ø20mm ~EGP 8–12/m. Draftex — good quality, stocked in most electrical outlets, EGP 6–10/m. Unbranded Chinese conduit — cheaper but cracks when bent and crumbles in plaster. Avoid conduit without an Egyptian conformity mark.
- Egyptian code installation rules: wires inside walls must be in conduit — no exceptions. Maximum 3 bends between two junction boxes. Maximum 15 m run between junction boxes. External and buried conduit must be heavy-duty wall thickness.
- Common installation mistakes in Egypt: using Ø16mm for AC circuits (the wire overheats and trips the thermal protection) — running flexible conduit in plaster without securing it (it moves and cracks the plaster later) — less than 30mm clearance between electrical conduit and water pipes — crossing gas pipes without a spacer.
- Conduit colours and classification: white and grey for standard indoor use — orange/red for outdoor and floor runs (UV resistant) — black for floors and damp locations. Some contractors use colours to distinguish lighting circuits from power circuits from AC circuits.
- Conduit cost for a 120m² apartment: approximately 300–400 metres of mixed conduit sizes required. At an average of EGP 8/m = EGP 2,400–3,200 for conduit alone (excluding wires or labour). Conduit typically represents 5–8% of total apartment electrical rough-in cost.
Comparison: Rigid vs Flexible vs Corrugated
| Type | Best for | Flexibility | Price/m (EGP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid PVC | Walls & ceilings — straight runs | No flex | 5–12 |
| Flexible PVC | Tight bends, panel & equipment connections | Fully flexible | 7–15 |
| Corrugated | Under screed & floor runs | Partially flexible | 4–10 |
Installation Depth Table (Egyptian Electrical Code)
| Location | Minimum | Conduit type |
|---|---|---|
| Inside plaster wall | 25mm plaster cover | Rigid or flexible |
| Under floor screed | 50mm above conduit | Corrugated HD |
| Buried underground (external) | 600mm (0.6m) | Rigid HD + duct |
| Exposed surface (external wall) | Fixed every 500mm | UV resistant (orange/red) |
| Clearance from water pipes | 30mm minimum | Any type |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rigid and flexible conduit?
Rigid PVC does not bend and is used for straight runs inside walls and ceilings — cheaper and mechanically stronger. Flexible PVC bends easily and is used for tight turns, transitions, and connections to panels or equipment. In Egypt's plaster-based construction, many electricians use flexible throughout for speed — but it is less durable long-term.
Can wires be run inside walls without conduit?
No — the Egyptian electrical code requires conduit to protect wires from mechanical damage and to allow future replacement without breaking walls. Conduit-free wiring is common in some budget projects in Egypt but violates the code and voids any installation warranty.
What is the correct conduit size for an air conditioner?
1–1.5 HP AC: Ø20mm conduit for 3×2.5mm² cable. 2 HP AC: Ø25mm for 3×4mm². 2.5–3 HP AC: Ø25mm for 3×6mm². Very common mistake in Egypt: using Ø16mm for a 1.5 HP AC — the wire overheats and causes repeated thermal breaker trips.
What are PVC conduit prices in Egypt 2026?
Approximate Egyptian market prices: Ø16mm (El Sewedy) EGP 5–8/m — Ø20mm EGP 8–12/m — Ø25mm EGP 12–18/m — Ø32mm EGP 18–25/m — Ø40mm EGP 25–35/m. Prices shift with petroleum and plastics input costs — always verify current price before purchasing.
How do I check if conduit is good quality?
Three simple tests: (1) Look for the Egyptian EOS conformity mark on the conduit body — it means the pipe passed bend and pressure testing. (2) Bend the conduit by hand to 90° — good conduit bends without cracking or whitening. (3) The inner wall should be smooth and uniform — poor conduit has an uneven inner surface that makes wire pulling difficult.
How much conduit does a 100m² apartment need?
Rough estimate for a standard 100m² apartment: approximately 250–350 metres total — ~120m of Ø16mm for lighting, ~100m of Ø20mm for power and outlets, ~50m of Ø25mm for AC and water heaters, ~20–30m of Ø32mm for main feeds. These are estimates — actual quantities depend on the apartment layout.