What is trough in electrical wiring?

Wireways—sometimes known as “troughs” or “gutters” within the electrical contracting field—are commonly used to control wiring in environments where contaminants may cause problems.

What are the different types of Wireway?

Wireway is designed to house runs of power, control and communication and are available in a number of NEMA types.

  • NEMA Type 1 screw cover lay-in wireway.
  • NEMA Type 1 quick-connect hinge cover lay-in wireway.
  • NEMA Type 3R lay-in EnviroShield wireway.
  • NEMA Type 12 lay-in wireway.
  • NEMA Type 12 feed-through wireway.

Is a Wireway considered a raceway?

What Are Wireways? Compared to raceways, a wireway is slim, a closed passage that houses electrical wires, and is mainly comprised of aluminum. Channel letters are connected to wireways the same way they would connect to a raceway. The sole advantage here is that a wireway is not a huge panel.

What does Wireway mean?

Definition of wireway 1 : a conduit for wires especially : one to conceal electric wires in a building while rendering them permanently accessible. 2 : a cash or parcel railway having wire tracks. 3 : wire ropeway.

What is a wire raceway?

A raceway (sometimes referred to as a raceway system) is an enclosed conduit that forms a physical pathway for electrical wiring. Raceways protect wires and cables from heat, humidity, corrosion, water intrusion and general physical threats.

What is an electrical gutter box?

A sheet metal enclosure used to supplement wiring spaces at meter centers, distribution centers, switchgear, switchboards, and similar points of wiring systems. The enclosure has hinged or removable covers for housing and protecting electrical wires, cable, and busbars.

How do you size a Wireway?

Wireway selection

  1. List cables by size and types.
  2. List cable cross sectional areas.
  3. List the number of each size of cable.
  4. Multiply cable cross sectional areas by number of each cable.
  5. Sum the total cross sectional areas of each cable type to obtain the total cross sectional areas for the conductors.

What is the maximum wire fill for a metal Wireway?

The maximum number of conductors in a wireway is limited to 20% of the crosssectional area of the wireway [376.22]. Splices and taps must not fill more than 75% of the wiring space at any cross section [376.56].

What is the difference between Wireway and Raceway?

Raceways are often painted to blend in with the building façade color. By comparison, a wireway is a slimmer aluminum enclosure and mounting structure.

What is the difference between a conduit and a raceway?

Unlike electrical conduits, cable raceways allow you to access the wiring inside its tube after the installation process. Cable raceways are easier to use and install and come in a wide variety of materials that can look more appealing for residential use.

What are nonmetallic Wireways?

The definition in this section shall apply within this article and throughout the Code. Nonmetallic Wireways. Flame-retardant, nonmetallic troughs with removable covers for housing and protecting electrical wires and cables in which conductors are laid in place after the raceway has been installed as a complete system.

What are the different types of Raceway?

There are three types of common raceways, including galvanized steel (both flexible and rigid), non-metallic conduit or PVC (both flexible and rigid), and flexible metal conduits.