---
title: "What Is Conduit? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "Conduit is a tube that holds and protects electrical wires. It can be metal or plastic and runs in walls, outdoors or underground."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/conduit
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Wiring and circuits

# Conduit

Conduit is a tube that holds and protects electrical wires. It can be metal or plastic and runs in walls, outdoors or underground.

OSHA's term is raceway: an enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding wires, cables or busbars. The list of raceways includes rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit and electrical metallic tubing.

[EMT](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/emt) is thin-wall steel tubing, common in commercial work. [PVC conduit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/pvc-conduit) is plastic, used outdoors and underground. Conduit lets wires be replaced later without opening walls. Work with it belongs to a licensed electrician. See [commercial electrician services](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician).

[Daniel Electric can helpCommercial electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician)

## Related terms

-   [EMT](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/emt)
-   [PVC conduit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/pvc-conduit)
-   [Direct burial cable](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/direct-burial-cable)
-   [Junction box](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/junction-box)

## Sources

1.  [OSHA: 1910.399 Definitions applicable to this subpart](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.399)
2.  [Carlon: Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit](https://carlonsales.com/techinfo/brochures/conduit/Backup%20of%20Conduit_Schedule_40_and_80.pdf)

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## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

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