In wooden houses, electricians most often lay outdoor wiring. Since open laying of power cables on a highly flammable base, such as wood, is prohibited by PUEs, they are laid in metal or plastic cable channels. The sizes of such products are different and are divided into three types: mini, medium and large.
Cable Channel Assignment
The main task of such an insulating material as a cable channel is the insulating protection of wires from flammable materials. Also, PVC and metal boxes are able to protect the wiring from mechanical stress and ultraviolet radiation. In the event of a short circuit, a properly mounted cable channel will prevent the spread of fire by restricting the flow of oxygen into the enclosure.
Boxes perform another important function - aesthetic. The fact is that such materials help to hide bundles of wires and joints.
Advantages and disadvantages of boxes
One of the distinguishing features of a white plastic cable channel (in general (the color gamut of such products may be different) is the fact that it is easily disassembled if necessary. Due to this property, a damaged cable can be easily replaced with a new one. Several types can be laid in the box at once wires, for example telephone, television, power, cable for connecting a computer to the Internet, etc. In some models of plastic cable channels (product sizes are indicated on their case) there are special burnout subcontroller in the inner part, through which the wires may be separated from each other in order to prevent interruption of communication.
Another advantage of the boxes is the fact that they can insert various electrical products, such as sockets, switches and junction boxes. All this forms a unified system of electrical equipment in the room, where all the individual components are joined together, leaving no gaps or gaps.
Black plastic cable channels have only one drawback - they are mounted directly on the wall surface, which does not look very aesthetically pleasing. But a neatly installed box looks much more beautiful than numerous bundles of wires. In addition, skirting boards with a special department inside for placing wires are on sale. Their cost slightly exceeds the price of classic skirting boards of rectangular cross section.
What are boxes made of?
Plastic cable ducts for the floor must be made of non-combustible materials, such as metal, PVC and ceramics.
Metal boxes come in two types:
- From a single sheet of steel. They are suitable for mounting on a wall of combustible material (wood, plastic, etc.).
- Perforated.
Ceramic trays for placing wires in them are not very popular with builders, since such products are too expensive and not very practical. Most often, plastic cable channels are mounted in residential premises. Their sizes should be selected in advance upon purchase, so that all cables fit inside this product. The channel body is painted in a variety of colors. The most popular color is white. In stores, color cable channels are also always on sale. For installation in a wooden house, you can buy a box with a case that simulates a wooden coating.
Capacity
Many beginning electricians ask a question: how to choose the right size of a plastic cable channel for wiring? On each tray for insulation of wires should be indicated how many wires are placed in it. Remember that the dimensions of the plastic cable duct must be large enough. According to the PUE, the box body is allowed to be filled with wires in such a way that its internal space is free by about a third in cross section.
Places of installation of boxes
Masters quite often lay external wiring in the premises, isolating it with plastic boxes. Since it is very energy-consuming to shatter walls in concrete rooms, the cables in them are often mounted externally. Especially popular is this method of branching wires over the entire area in buildings intended for office workers, as well as in public institutions: kindergartens, schools, hospitals and clinics.
To satisfy all customer demands, manufacturers are striving to produce floor-mounted plastic cable channels for insulation of power wires of various sizes, shapes and colors. They are installed in the following places:
- On the walls.
- On the floor. At the same time, there are 2 types of channels on sale: floor and built-in skirting.
- To the corners. Wires can be laid both under the ceiling and in the corner. Corner cable ducts can be installed instead of skirting boards.
- On the weight between the floor and the wall. Power cables can be weighted using overhead structures. For insulation of wires, you can use both metal boxes from perforated or all-metal sheets of steel, and wire. Such designs are most often used in offices and in other rooms where a large number of cables are used. It is also convenient to use this pendant design for connecting to the ceiling lighting network. In residential buildings, this type of cells for wires is installed in the upper part of the premises, and then hide the structure with a stretch ceiling or drywall.
Designers choose the type of cable channels based on safety and availability considerations in case of wire replacement. In addition, the trays for the wires must be hidden from prying eyes, so as not to spoil the appearance of the room. In houses and apartments, they try to replace such channels with skirting boards equipped with cable trays. If the ceiling is suspended or suspended, then the wiring can be discreetly placed on top.
Skirting board with wire channel
Best of all, floor-mounted plastic skirting boards with a cable channel fit into the interior. As additional accessories for such products, turns, corners, splitters are sold in stores. With their help, the room will look aesthetically pleasing, while there is no need to make strobes to place the wiring inside the wall.
The only drawback of floor plastic baseboards with cable channel is the high price. These products have special requirements. First, the plastic must withstand high temperatures during heating to prevent fire due to short circuit. Secondly, the baseboard body must be resistant to mechanical damage.
Advantages of a plinth with a wire channel
The main task of a plastic skirting board for a floor with a cable channel is to decorate the joint between the wall and the floor. It is mounted at the final stage of repair, when the floor covering is already laid and the wallpaper is glued. Such a product is considered a universal finishing material and solves several problems at once:
- Protects walls from waterlogging in the lower part.
- Allows you to hide any cables under the baseboard, protecting the wiring from damage and ignition.
- It hides the disadvantages of wall and floor decoration.
- Gives a room a more aesthetic appearance.
Recently, specialists during the repair prefer the "gull" skirting board with a wire channel. The product deserves such a name due to the fact that its edges are very similar to the wings of the bird of the same name. This unusual shape of the baseboard contributes to its tight fit to the wall and floor, allowing you to hide irregularities.
Installing the cable in such a product is incredibly simple, just put it in the groove, and then mask it with the outer panel of the baseboard. This design provides easy access to wiring at any time. The overall dimensions of the floor plastic skirting board with a cable channel allow you to fit several cables for various purposes.
The main advantages of a skirting board with a wire channel:
- Low cost compared to the laborious work associated with wall chipping. At the price of the plinth practically does not differ from the cost of a classic wall box.
- In the store you will find a large assortment of these products.
- Strong case.
- The term of operation is unlimited.
- It does not require special care, just wipe it from dust.
- Easy installation even on uneven surfaces.
- The baseboard body is resistant to adverse environmental conditions.
Parapet Trays
Parapet systems for insulating wires are in many ways similar to floor skirting boards with special channels. The only difference is that they are not mounted on the floor, but at a distance of about 10 centimeters from the floor. Their body has a symmetrical shape.
Usually the parapet trays are quite wide, but not deep. Thanks to such properties, furniture can be moved close to them. Such products are often used in government offices and offices. At home, parapet systems are rarely used because they stand out too much.
Mini cable trays
Mini-channels for placing wires in them consist of a tray in the shape of the letter "P", as well as a removable cover for easy access inside. They are interconnected by means of latches. Lids for such products come in two types: flexible and rigid, made of hard plastic. According to the shape of the section, they are divided into square and rectangular. Their sizes vary greatly depending on the configuration. The width of the product can reach six, and the height is ten centimeters.
Another type of miniature channels, which consists of a one-piece plastic housing. This design does not imply the presence of a cover, but has only one side with a lock.
Many people, starting repairs, think about what are the dimensions of a plastic baseboard with a cable channel. The maximum width and height of the tray reaches 2.5 centimeters. This type of channel is ideal for accommodating several thin wires.
For miniature trays, which belong to the middle and high price category, there are corners, turns and plugs. They greatly facilitate the installation of this product. Cheaper models of plastic flexible cable channels do not have additional devices for mounting them in the corner, so the craftsmen will have to cut the structure on their own, sawing the edges of the trays at an angle of 45 degrees.
Laying a plastic cable channel is carried out in two ways:
- Using standard fasteners, including dowels, screws.
- Using double-sided adhesive tape. To use this method, it is necessary to clean the wall of dust. Double-sided tape is also ideal for mounting trays on furniture.
Floor cable trays
Floor-mounted trays are round in shape without sharp edges. Such products are made of metal or hard and stress-resistant plastic. Usually they are used in offices. In private homes, this design is also suitable, for example, for laying cable in doorways.
Laying the cable on the floor helps to save money by reducing the length of the track.
Corner Trays for Wiring
Corner products for insulation of power wires are usually made of plastic or aluminum. They are needed for the safe placement of cables at the junction of two walls. The design includes a triangular shaped tray and lids. Both parts securely fit together with a latch. Some designs of corner trays may have a separator that serves to separate cables for various purposes.
The lid at the corner channel can be made in two variations: from transparent and ordinary plastic. The first option allows not only to isolate the cable, but also to make the backlight by attaching an LED strip to the tray body.
Corner channels can be located both horizontally and vertically. At an angle, the structure can be installed on stairs or in attics. For branching wires, junction boxes are provided.
Mounting Methods
There are two ways to install this design:
- The base of the tray is attached to the wall with dowels and screws. The latter should be with a large and wide hat so as not to damage the fragile plastic. You can also optionally use washers.
- The design is secured by double-sided adhesive tape.
The first method is more versatile and reliable. The main thing is to choose the fasteners correctly, depending on the material from which the wall of the house is made (drywall, wood or concrete).
Usually, three fastening points are sufficient for securely fastening a two-meter tray - at the beginning, at the end and in the center. If the wall surface is too curved, you will need to drill a few more holes for screws, until the box is completely adjacent to the wall. If you plan to place more than five wires in the tray, you need to fix the structure so that the distance between the mounting points is 20 centimeters.
In order not to damage the cable trays during installation, you must first make small holes through them with an awl or other improvised tool. Then you need to attach the cable channel to the wall and mark with a felt-tip pen or pencil on it where you need to drill the wall. After the holes are ready, you should install the dowels, attach the structure for laying the wires, and then carefully fix the structure with self-tapping screws.
If it is not possible to drill the wall, you can fix the structure using glue. The adhesive must harden quickly. The box weighs a little, but if it is not properly pressed against the wall, after applying glue, it can move down to the floor. To avoid this annoying nuisance, it is necessary to fix the glued material by installing spacers or using adhesive tape.
To cut a piece of cable channel, you need to put on a cover (if available) and align the edges of the structure. Next, use a felt-tip pen or pencil to draw a cut line. After this, you can proceed to sawing. It is best to use a metal jigsaw for this purpose, and if it is missing, a piece of plastic can be cut with a sharpened knife. But to use scissors for metal is not recommended, since it is likely that the box will break, and it will be impossible to use it.
For cutting at an angle of 45 degrees use a joiner's miter box. After the desired piece has been cut, treat the sharp edges with a sandpaper.
Subtleties of choosing a cable channel
In the store, before buying a cable channel, you must first pay attention to the quality of the plastic and its color. The walls of the product should not be too thin, and the tray where the wires will be located should be rigid enough to hold the form under load.
In expensive models of trays there are dividers and special clips for reliable fastening of wires. Thanks to them, the cables will not fall out and interfere with the closing of the cover.
The lock on the product must be securely latched. On a well-made product, the top cover is removed only if a lot of effort is applied.
You should know that such latches have a different design. The simplest single locks can easily be removed and put back in place. If you place a large amount of cable in the tray, then this design may not withstand the loads.
The double lock is much more reliable. It is not easy to open or close. Experts advise buying products with such locks.
You can check the quality of the channel for insulation of wires manually if you open and close the box several times. If during these actions there are no cracks and any other damage, then the product can be used, it is quite reliable.
You always need to consider the size of the floor plastic baseboard with the cable channel when you purchase it, because you have to put several wires of different sections in its body. The minimum size of such a decorative product in height is 5 centimeters. If there are a lot of wires, then it is better to purchase a skirting board with a height of about 100 millimeters. This solution will allow you to freely fit all the wiring in the house, while leaving a little free space in the tray.
Box sizes
Depending on the manufacturer, the cable channels into which the cable can be placed can be of various sizes. But still, most factories produce standard products with generally accepted sizes. So, mini-cable channels have the following characteristics:
- Length - 2500 mm.
- Height - 30 mm.
- The size of the internal cable channel is 10 x 10 mm.
- Thickness - 15 mm.
Standard medium-sized cable channels have the following dimensions:
- Length - 2500 mm.
- Height - 60 mm.
- The size of the internal cable channel is 20 x 20 mm.
- Thickness - 30 mm.
In construction markets, you can find PVC cable ducts of quite impressive sizes. They allow you to hide the large irregularities of the walls and floor, as well as place up to 5 thick cables for various purposes inside its body. Usually they have the following dimensions:
- Length - 2500 mm.
- Height - 80-100 mm.
- The size of the internal cable channel is 40 x 40 mm.
- Thickness - 50 mm.