ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

What method can protect a non-metallic sheath feeder cable from physical damage when exposed in a garage?

1. Install a protective conduit

2. Use a cable rated for higher temperatures

3. Wrap the cable with insulating tape

4. Use a metallic sheath cable

The correct answer is: Install a protective conduit

Using a protective conduit is an effective way to safeguard a non-metallic sheath feeder cable from physical damage, particularly in environments like a garage where the cable may be exposed to potential impacts. Conduits provide a durable barrier around the cable, preventing any mechanical harm from tools, vehicles, or other equipment that could be present in a garage setting. This method aligns with electrical safety standards, ensuring that the cable is not only protected from physical damage but also maintaining its integrity over time. Protective conduits are available in various materials, such as PVC or metal, and they can be installed in a way that complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC). While other options, such as using a higher temperature-rated cable or wrapping the cable with insulating tape, may enhance certain characteristics of the cable, they do not address physical protection from external forces. Additionally, utilizing a metallic sheath cable would add some degree of protection but changing the type of cable could introduce other installation challenges and is not necessarily the most effective or simplest solution for someone looking to protect an existing non-metallic feeder.