The physics of properly supporting data cable networks and electrical wires are easy to miss — unless you’re in the business of installing them. Once your job or business depends on a proper installation of a cable support system, you’ll discover that running wires from point A to point B requires a lot of forethought and an understanding of the infrastructure options available for overhead installations.

While it’s impossible to argue that there is one cable support system that outperforms any other, it is important to examine what’s on the market. Once you understand the performance characteristics and constraints you can make an informed decision about what cable support system is right for you. In theory, you should look for a system that makes it easier to comply with industry standards while minimizing installation costs, maintenance costs, and maximizing performance.

In this article, we’ll examine some of the more common cable support systems, particularly as it relates to their support span/load capabilities — an underrated consideration in many installation scenarios.

Cable Runway

As something of an umbrella term, cable runway can refer to a number of different support systems. You may hear IT professionals and data cable installers say “runway”,“raceway”, or "cable tray" when referring to cable tray systems. Technically speaking, cable runway refers to a ladder-style structure built from solid bar, tubular or c-channel metal that is welded together.

Because runway is often made to order from the manufacturer, the spacing of the support beams isn’t adjustable, nor is it needed. Depending on the application, cable runway is a robust support system that meets or exceeds the requirements of most organizations.

Of course, modern data networks grow more complex every year and it’s important to evaluate how many cables you’ll be running and plan appropriately. The manufacturer should provide guidance on fill ratio and weight limitations.

The chief downsides of cable runway are that it requires installers to pull cables through the runway due to the presence of upright support beams connecting to the ceiling at regular intervals and that it is both heavy and expensive.

From an electrical code perspective, cable runway’s metal construction means that grounding can be easy or even unnecessary if you chose galvanized runaway. Painted or plastic support systems require special grounding hardware.

Wire Basket

Wire basket support systems offer similar features to runway, with some crucial differences. Wire basket supports usually come in a wide, shallow trough shape that must be anchored to the ceiling at regular intervals. It can hold a lot of cable and doesn’t require planning for spans between supports because the welded metal grid provides ample support, although support spacing is set to either 4 or 6 inches apart.

Wire basket is often lighter than cable runway and can be modified on-site without highly specialized tools. This means that installation can be faster thanks to the ease of cutting the basket to the correct size and even modifying it for turns and drops.

The limitations of wire baskets are also similar to cable runways: cables need to be pulled through rather than laid in from the sides, and it still requires a significant amount of labor for proper installation. This makes future moves, adds, and changes (MACs) a challenge.

Center Rail Support System

Center rail support systems have grown in popularity due to their ease of installation and the ease of laying cable. Thanks to the central position of the upright support beam, installers can lay cable onto the support arms with no obstruction.

The National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association specifies the recommended spans between these supports, which are usually 8, 12, 16, 20 ft apart. Rated for 100 lbs/ft for a 12 ft span, most center rail support systems can handle all but the most numerous data cable installations.

The downside of a basic center rail support system is that you cannot isolate cable disciplines, meaning that when moving, adding, or changing cables, you’ll have to sift through a massive bundle of cables to do anything.

J-hooks

J-hooks are one of the most minimal cable support systems. Using flat, wide strips of metal that are formed into j-shaped hooks, these supports can be installed modularly and with relative ease. Thanks to a wide variety of fastening attachments, you can anchor j-hooks to nearly any surface and even daisy-chain them together for better isolation of cable disciplines.

Alternatively, j-hooks can be labor-intensive to install, especially if putting in more than a few dozen and are very low capacity (perhaps a dozen or so cables at maximum, depending on size). This means that they’re only suitable in niche cases where no other cable support system will suffice.

In short, j-hooks are flexible, small, and easy to install in low numbers. They’re great for a handful of cables off from the main trunk, but that’s about it.

Unipath System

The Unipath cable support system offers a hybrid of the center rail support system and a support structure similar to a bridle ring. Made of a sturdy primary support arm held by a center rail, the Unipath cable support also features between 4 and 12 rings that descend from the support arm. This allows installers to isolate cable disciplines and easily lay in the cable from the sides or underneath without the need to pull. This makes MACs a cinch.

The recommended span between Unipath support arms is 4-5 ft, ensuring that cables see minimal sagging. Compared to other cable support systems, the Unipath system is modular, high-capacity, organized, easy to install, and cost-effective.

As an open-air structured cable support system, Unipath brings together some of the most common and important features in a single piece of hardware. It is suitable for all but the most high-capacity cable support applications.