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Electrical

Raceway

In Plain English

Any enclosed channel or tube used to protect and route electrical wires through a building.

Definition

An enclosed channel designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or bus bars, including conduit, wireways, cable trays, and surface raceways. Raceways protect conductors from physical damage and allow future wiring changes. The NEC specifies fill limits — the maximum percentage of a raceway's cross-sectional area that can be occupied by conductors.

Example

Surface metal raceways were installed along the baseboard to add outlets to the existing office without opening walls.

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