Running data communications cable through any building requires planning. As more and more systems rely on low-voltage cabling, it’s important to make sure that each system has the infrastructure required for stability, maintenance, and future expansion. There is a wide range of cable support systems. While certain configurations offer clear advantages, others are simply designed with specific applications in mind. 

When planning for cable routes within your building or construction project, it’s helpful to review the types of cable support.

Cable Trays

A common type of support is the cable tray. Cable tray is usually U-shaped or trough-shaped. The bottom may be solid or punctuated with openings to allow air movement and easier access to drop cables where needed. They’re usually pre-manufactured in long sections of bent mental or extruded plastics and require alternate fittings for bends and splits. Some cable tray is small, designed to support a few cables at a time, whereas the larger trough-styles can hold many more.

Cable Mesh

Also referred to as cable baskets, this cable support system is usually manufactured out of solid metal wire (may be steel, aluminum, or stainless) and is popular due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, easy access to cabling, overall durability, and ease-of-installation.

Cable Ladders

This is a highly modular configuration for cable support — consisting of two parallel side rails that accept cross-members at various distances. While it may allow the cables to droop somewhat, this isn’t a problem for many applications, especially for conventional copper structured cabling. Cable ladder rack, as it is also called, is an extremely strong, flexible solution that is more labor-intensive at installation.

Cable Duct or Cable Way

Fully enclosed, this solution is aesthetically discreet and is ideal for applications where visual effect matters equally with structural requirements. Sometimes it consists of a trough-style lower portion with a lid portion that fixes to the top and completes the enclosure. 

Center Rail Systems

Center rail systems offer a useful balance between weight-bearing capacity and volume of material. By using a single support rail with arms that extend to either side, the cable is still easy to access and the installation is faster and less complicated.

Bridle Rings And Cable Hooks

In some applications, it’s important to isolate bundles of cables that are devoted to the same duty, such as the security network, fire alarm system, or other “disciplines” as they may be called. Bridle rings and cable hooks can be integrated into other support systems to allow this type of division within the overall cable support system.

UniPath System

The UniPath cable support system offers a hybrid of the center rail, wire mesh, and bridle ring support systems. This allows for a simple, low fuss installation of the primary load-bearing cable support solution (i.e. center rail or basket cable tray) and at the same time providing color-coded bridle rings on the underside for easy isolation and bundling of other cables. 

Choosing The Right Cable Support For Your Project

Due to the sheer variety of applications, there are even more numerous solutions that can accommodate environmental concerns, budget constraints, and material needs.

Cost

Although metal support systems gain top marks for durability, there are situations where plastic cables ways or plastic-coated supports offer plenty of support at a lower cost. You also have to weigh each system’s unit cost (per foot) with the installation cost. Pre-fabricated systems may offer a lower installation cost but a higher cost per foot and sacrifice flexibility.

Safety

Especially when handling low-voltage structured cable, as opposed to fiber optic, the need to ground the support and defray unexpected power surges is a critical consideration. Some cable supports, such as those made from galvanized steel, make grounding easy. Others require additional fittings.

Maintenance

Although certain applications may not require regular maintenance or additional cable, repairs and upgrades are a fact of life. If you anticipate frequent access or changes to your network, it’s a good idea to pick a solution that offers easy access — as well as the ability to reroute cable without major renovations or accessing internal structures.

Performance

For the most part, cable supports are a static feature. High performance is measured by durability, resistance to corrosion or damage, load-bearing life, and ease of modification. Only you and your IT infrastructure partners can access the right performance level for your specific project. 

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