Raceways

Raceways are channels or conduits designed to hold wires, cables, or busbars and to provide protection and a defined path for electrical systems. They are used in buildings and other infrastructure to organize wiring, protect conductors from physical damage, and allow future modifications. Raceways can be installed in walls, floors, ceilings, or outdoors and may be rigid or flexible depending on the application.

Types include conduits and nonconduit raceways. Conduits, which enclose conductors, come in metal forms such as rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), and electrical metallic tubing (EMT), as well as flexible metal conduit (FMC); nonmetallic options include PVC or HDPE conduits. Nonconduit raceways include cable trays, wireways, and troughs, which are used for larger or open cable runs and typically house many cables or data fibers. Some raceways are designed specifically for power distribution, while others are used for data, telecom, or fiber optics.

Code and standards: In the United States, raceways are regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC); internationally, IEC standards apply. Design requires consideration of fill (how many conductors in a raceway), bending radius, support spacing, grounding, weatherproofing, and flame/spread rating for fire safety. Installations must seal penetrations to maintain fire ratings where required and avoid placing incompatible circuits in the same raceway.

Installation and usage: Route planning should minimize length while avoiding physical damage, moisture, and mechanical stress. Proper materials and terminations address thermal expansion, protection from moisture, and accessibility for maintenance. In many buildings, raceways simplify upgrades and reorganizations compared with routing individual cables.

Other uses: The term raceway also refers to a racing track used in motorsports or horse racing.