Exterior outlet, pic included

Outlet installed on eave of house…
Does the wiring have to be in conduit ?

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x296/dawlita/BFI023.jpg

The splice needs to at least be in a box. The wiring need not be in conduit, unless you have additional rules in your area, but it should at least be UF cable for sunlight resistance. Even though it’s up under the eave like that, the reflected UV will still be great, I believe. Long story short, they used the wrong materials for almost everything I see there, and it was improperly executed at that.

I completely agree. That looks like a typical DIY mess!

thanks