CABLES
MEETING YOUR CABLE NEEDS
LEGRAND
Top Tips to Cable Management Specification
Cable management is an integral part of
the specification process. When it comes
to specifying cable management systems,
there are a number of key areas to consider
in addition to cost per unit and installation
time. Mark Williams, lead marketing
manager for cable management at Legrand,
talks through some simple top tips during
specification.
1. LOCATION
Consider what elements the cable
management system will be exposed to. If
the system is to be located in a corrosive
environment or a marine location for
example, the requirements will be very
different to that of an internal commercial
building installation. Legrand’s industry
experts and cable management technical
product guides can offer in-depth advice
on what to consider when selecting your
material.
28
PECM Issue 44
2. CONSIDER THE CABLE USED
It’s important to consider what type of cable
will be used throughout the installation and
if support or protection is needed.
• Single insulated (non-sheathed) cables
require additional mechanical protection
(as per BS 7671), as well as support, and
therefore an IP4X or IPXXD distribution
trunking system is generally the solution of
choice as it fully encases the cables.
• If using armoured cables, an open cable
management system, such as steel wire
cable tray, perforated tray or cable ladder, is
considered more suitable.
3. WEIGHT
Calculate the total weight to be supported
by the cable management system, taking
into consideration current requirements and
potential needs in the future.
Remember that the total loading should be
calculated based on not only the weight
of the cables, but also any ancillary items
that are subsequently fitted to the cable
management system, such as light fittings,
as well as external forces such as weather
and the surrounding environment.
4. REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Wiring regulations can differ depending
on the installation or location of the project
you’re working on, so it’s imperative to
monitor and review the guidelines, prior to
an installation.
Amendments to the wiring regulations BS
7671, for example, have to be monitored
and respected. This can influence the
selection of cable management systems
as you may need to opt for a solution that
ensures avoidance of premature collapse of
the cabling system. In this instance, metallic
solutions may be the preferred option.