What is a Cable Raceway?
Cable raceways provide a surface-mounted pathway for wiring that completely encloses the cables and protects them from heat, dust, light and even moisture. Cable raceways are also a great tool for routing wiring and for concealing cables that would otherwise be exposed. These are also sometimes referred to as a latching duct solution, as the raceway itself acts as a duct, and the 360 enclosure around the wire can have a latching mechanism to securely hold all wiring in place.Types of Cable Raceways
Not all cable raceways are created equal. There are many different kinds of electrical raceways, and the materials used for each type directly impacts its proper application. Here are some of the most commonly used raceways.1. Latching – Latching raceways, also known as surface raceways and latching ducts, are the most common and widely used raceways. Latching cable raceways are used for wiring enclosures in many residential and office settings where new wiring has been installed on the outside of a wall. With the latching raceway, you can quickly and easily create an organized and neat cable management system.
2. Corner Duct – These are ideal for residential use, as corner duct raceways mimic the look of crown molding and make for an attractive cable management setup. Just like regular cable raceways, corner ducts hide external wiring, but can be fit into wall corners for a more discreet look.
3. Overfloor – You have likely seen one of these if you’ve ever been to a conference or a concert where wiring is run across flooring that gets a lot of foot traffic. Overfloor cable raceways go, you guessed it, over the floor and protect cables and wires from being tripped over or unplugged. These plastic raceways are usually flatter and more low profile to avoid creating an unnecessary tripping hazard.
4. Exterior Wire Guards – Otherwise known as outdoor wire guards, these cable raceways are for use outside. These are commonly found at outdoor concerts or festivals and cover and protect the large cables that are run along the ground.
5. Flexible Wire Duct – These cable raceways are a versatile wiring enclosure that can be used in both industrial and commercial applications. The flexible material can be secured both horizontally and vertically, and its flexible construction makes it easy to use and install.
Cable Raceway Benefits
When you need simplified cable management, cable raceways are the way to go. Some of the biggest benefits of electrical wire raceways include:- Easy to install: Most varieties are surface raceways and can be easily affixed to any wall in just a couple of steps. In fact, many kinds of cable raceways have adhesive on the backside and can be quickly stuck right into place.
- Streamlined cable management: No one wants a mess of cables and wires laying on the floor. With electrical raceways, all of your cables and wires can be fed through the plastic duct and kept out of sight and out of mind.
- Promotes safety: Loose wires are a safety hazard. Not only can they get damaged, they can also be tripped on or touched by people who shouldn’t have access to them (like children). Using cable raceways makes everyone safer and ensures that all cables and wires are protected.
Raceway vs. Conduit – What’s the Difference?
This is a common question when people go to shop for cable raceways. Raceways and conduits are used interchangeably when we speak about wire management, but they are actually two different tools. Electrical conduits are metal tubes that protect electrical wiring. Wiring is fed through the tubing which protects it from dirt, dust and moisture. Once installed, the wiring inside a conduit is very hard to access. Additionally, electrical conduits are usually only available in a silver metallic color, making them better suited for industrial application. Cable raceways are a type of electrical conduit, but are more versatile, flexible and suitable for a broader range or uses. Cable raceways allow you to still access wiring after install, they’re easy to use and install, and they come in a variety of materials that look good in residential use.Cable Raceway Use Cases
Cable raceways are used in a wide variety of industries. Some real-life use cases highlight just how versatile the electrical raceway can be.- Industrial Use – Loose and free hanging cables and wires in an industrial setting can be a disaster waiting to happen. Unfortunately, contractors may need to run cables across areas to power supplies and circuit breakers. They will, of course, do the best they can to keep cable and wire out of the way, but it doesn’t always work out that way. This network of cable and wire can be exposed, and could be pulled on, tripped over and, quite simply, be the source of management headache. Cable raceway designs can eliminate the risk. With cable raceway and raceway accessories, contractors and maintenance pros have the capacity to put in complex wiring designs without leaving the company open to potential fires from damaged wire and lawsuits from injuries that were the result of tripping over exposed cable. The installation of these products promises to extend the life of cable and wire and protect the company as well.
- Commercial Use – Cable raceways are the perfect product to use when working in a commercial setting. If you run a store or a factory, you are going to have a lot of wire and cable going from machine to machine. To keep your workers safe and provide a more pleasing view for your customers, a raceway can be installed that blends into the wall. A cable raceway presents a clean look that can be run along any wall in your building. Instead of seeing a massive jumble of cables or wires, the raceway will make everything look smooth and tidy. Using a cable raceway also keeps your workers, customers and the wires themselves safe in the always busy commercial setting.
- Residential Use – The average household contains several feet of wire. Wires connect your TV, computer and lamps to power sources that let you watch TV or surf the Internet without fumbling for the remote. Cable raceways provide a safe and easy way to keep any wire from becoming a safety hazard. Electrical raceways come in many sizes and shapes to fit the overall decor of your home. Once you have the right raceway, you can install it on your own in a single afternoon. With absolutely no experience at all, you should be able to extend power to outlets or fixtures and cover all external wiring in your home.
- Aviation Use – There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes in the aviation industry that most people don’t think about. Whether you have a private airport, a helipad for tours, or anything else, you know that you’ve got people walking around all the time – and there are a lot of cables and cords that may be in the way. If wires are not organized, they can easily get caught up under foot and someone could fall as a result. If you don’t organize the wires from a safety standpoint, do it from an operational one. If a cord gets pulled out of the socket, it may cause damage to the unit or to the plug itself – and this can get expensive.
