It is not required that the fill provide protection,,,,,rather that the fill not contain objects to damage wiring. The fill need not protect, as you say.
Also, IMO they are associated. Once assembled, they are one entire system associated together. That's like saying your alternator is not associated with your motor.[/quote]
You are speaking apples and oranges. Electrical installations are not the same as car installations.
The lineset is not associated with the electrical, it is HVAC. The section I provided requires the electrical to be associated with electrical, not other systems.
