Electrical wiring that runs in exposed locations must be protected by pipe or tubing called __________.

• A. conduit
• B. cable tray
• C. raceway
• D. insulation

Answer: (A)

When wiring runs in exposed spaces, it needs a protective enclosure to shield the conductors from physical damage and to provide a clean, continuous path. That protective pipe or tubing is called conduit. Conduit can be metal or plastic and is designed to be joined with fittings and boxes to create a secure, protected run for the wires.

Cable tray serves to support cables rather than enclose them in a protective pipe, so it isn’t the correct term here. A raceway is a broader category that includes conduit and other enclosing channels, but the description of a pipe or tubing specifically points to conduit. Insulation is used to reduce heat or electrical loss around conductors, not to provide a protective enclosure.