Cable or conduit-who uses it and why?

This paper is a summary of results from a professional survey of people employed in the electrical industry. The purpose is to determine future trends in wiring methods, particularly the use of cabling versus conduit, with special attention to hazardous areas. Trade papers have done a credible and complete job in comparing the economic and technical advantages of installing one wiring system over the other. This paper instead explores why the US market has not rapidly embraced cable tray, particularly in hazardous areas, and the difference in attitude between the US and Canadian markets. Four distinct groups were surveyed: PCIC members from the United States and Canada and nonPCIC members in the processing industry in the US and Canada and the issues addressed are described.