What is a channel that holds and protects wires or cables known as?

The term that best describes a channel designed to hold and protect wires or cables is indeed known as a raceway. A raceway serves to safeguard electrical conductors and provide pathways for them, often affording not only physical protection but also support for cables, ensuring compliance with various safety standards.

Raceways can be made from a variety of materials, including metal and plastic, and are utilized in both indoor and outdoor applications. Their design facilitates the orderly installation of electrical systems and helps prevent damage to the wires, reducing the risks of shorts or other electrical failures.

In contrast, conduits are specific types of raceways that are typically used for electrical wiring and must adhere to particular codes. An electrical box, while crucial for providing access points to wiring and connections, does not serve the same channeling function as a raceway. A transformer, meanwhile, is an entirely different device used in electrical systems to change voltage levels and does not relate to the physical safeguarding of cables.