Why are conductors needed?

If you want to operate the conductors maximum capacity, the conductor needs the heat, that the amperage produces, to be dissipated. This is why in the electrical code book there are two amperage ratings. The first one is for a free air rating which allows for a high ampacity of the wire. The other rating is for three conductors in a conduit which confines the cooling capacity and so the ampacity rating of these wires is lowered. The same procedure is used in cable spacings in ladder tray networks.