One or more electric conductors (36, 236) in a flexible hose (10, 210) are protected from tensile and compressive forces exerted on or by the hose by providing an enclosure (32, 232) for the conductor(s) whose radial dimension (46, 246) provides a path for movement of the conductor(s) that is greater than any movement thereon exerted on or by the hose which might otherwise harm or break the conductor(s).