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Mini trunking is a surface-mounted cable management system — a PVC channel with a base you fix to the wall and a lid that snaps on over the top. It's the go-to option when you want to tidy up cables or add a socket without chasing into the wall and making a mess of the plaster.
It's lightweight, easy to cut, and can be painted to match your decor, so it disappears into the wall rather than standing out. Because the lid snaps off, it's also easy to get back into if you need to add or move a cable later.
Typical jobs where I'd reach for mini trunking: adding an extra socket or a fused spur without opening up the wall, or running cables neatly down to a wall-mounted TV instead of leaving them hanging loose.
Mini trunking runs from around 16mm x 16mm up to 50mm x 25mm. Which size you need depends on how many cables are going in it and how much room you want to leave — more on that below.
You'll also find a full range of fittings to match: internal and external corners, T-pieces for branching off a run, and end caps to finish a run cleanly. These aren't optional extras — using the right fitting at every joint and turn is what separates a professional-looking job from something that looks bodged.
Should You Screw or Stick Down Mini Trunking?Both are legitimate, but they're not interchangeable:
If in doubt, screw it. Adhesive trunking that's come away from the wall is one of the more common call-outs I get for "tidying up" jobs that weren't done properly the first time.
Don't fill it past around 45% of its capacity. That's the figure I work to, and there's a reason for it — pack it tighter than that and you run into three problems: the lid won't close properly, cables can get damaged by the pressure, and airflow drops enough that cables can overheat.
If you're planning a run that's going to be tight on space, go up a size. It costs a few pounds more in trunking and saves you re-doing the job.
Not without separating them. Data cables — Cat 6 especially — need to be kept away from power cables, either with a divider inside the trunking or by running them through separate trunking altogether. Run them side by side with no separation and you risk interference affecting your data signal.
Cat 6 also needs gentle bends. Sharp corners can affect performance, so plan your route with that in mind rather than forcing a tight turn because it's convenient.
Mini trunking isn't the right tool for every job. Steer clear of it for:
Get any of these wrong and you're looking at cracked trunking, degraded cables, or a fire risk — not a quick fix.
How Is Mini Trunking Installed?The process is straightforward if you take your time over it:
Before you drill anything, check for hidden pipes and cables behind the wall. And keep runs straight and level — it's a small thing, but it's the difference between a job that looks professional and one that doesn't.
For a couple of HDMI or power leads behind a wall-mounted TV, 16x16mm or 25x16mm is usually plenty. Go a size up if you're also running a soundbar or extra AV cables.
No. Standard PVC mini trunking isn't rated for outdoor exposure. For external runs you need weatherproof trunking or conduit designed for outdoor use.
Yes, provided it's sized correctly, fixed with screws rather than adhesive, and not overfilled. For anything beyond a simple spur or extra socket, get a qualified electrician to check the circuit can take the extra load.
Running the trunking itself isn't complicated. But if you're adding a new socket, spur, or connecting into an existing circuit, that work needs to be done — or signed off — by a qualified electrician to stay compliant with Part P.
Not sure whether mini trunking is the right fix for your job, or need the socket or circuit work behind it done properly? Bright Spark Electrical Services covers Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Crowborough.
Get a free quote: brightsparkelectrician.co.uk or call 01892 531 728.
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