---
title: Raceway Terms
tags:
  - destiny/fleeting
  - topic/construction/electrical
  - type/encyclopedia
up: "[[electrical]]"
---
# Raceway Terms

## "Raceway"

![[nfpa-70_100_definitions#Raceway.]]

### "Duct"

> [!quote] NEC 310.2 Definitions
> **Electrical Ducts.**
> Electrical conduits, or other raceways round in cross section,
> that are suitable for use underground or embedded in concrete.

> [!info] Duct Bank
> "Duct bank" is not given explicit definition in the NEC,
> however it is used frequently to refer to any group of **ducts**,
> _even as few as one_, as shown in Figure 310.60(C)(3).
> ==It is always spelled as two words.==

## "Wiring Method"

"Wiring method" is not given explicit definition in the NEC.

![[nfpa-70_110_requirements#110.8 Wiring Methods]]

![[nfpa-70_300_general-requirements#300.1(A) All Wiring Installations.]]

Nor is wiring installation,
however by closest definition
it can be assumed **premises wiring**
includes all wiring installations.

![[nfpa-70_100_definitions#Premises Wiring (System).]]

### Inappropriate Use

Notably, Chapter 3 does not prescribe requirements for _raceway_,
but for _wiring installations_.
As such, conduit used for other purposes
(e.g. routing beverage tubing) is out of scope.

Raceways used for supporting communications cables
_would be_ out of scope, except for Article 800.110:

> [!quote] NEC 800.110(A)(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3
> Communications wires and cables shall be permitted
> to be installed in any raceway included in Chapter 3.
> _The raceways shall be installed in accordance_
> _with the requirements of Chapter 3._

[[nfpa-70_800]]

Raceway is not a _wiring method_
unless it is used to support _premises wiring_,
which communications cabling is not.

It is not appropriate to say "EMT conduit is _a_ wiring method"
(granted the NEC does use similar phrasing occasionally),
because any recognized wiring method must include the
* wiring,
* splices,
* pull boxes,
* outlet boxes,
* and supports
necessary of a complete wiring installation,
each of which has countless options.

It may be more consistent with NEC phrasing
to say that each component is _a_ wiring method,
but this is less consistent with common use.

### Appropriate Use

It may be appropriate to refer to "MC cable" as _a_ wiring method
if you and your audience understand the name as shorthand
for a more specific, standard framework.

In a robustly implemented specification-based takeoff software,
an assembly's specifications would describe its wiring methods.
A 20A and 30A branch circuit may utilize identical "wiring methods".

## Takeaways

No part of a manufactured cable assembly (e.g. MC cable)
can be considered a raceway.

It is usually incorrect to refer to wiring methods
in the singular (e.g. installed in _a_ wiring method).
