Cable Carriers are designed to fulfil an important role. They protect cables, wires, and hoses from damage in a wide variety of settings, which requires a good deal of design versatility. Thankfully, there are different types of cable management systems designed to optimize performance in a variety of environments. This article will introduce a few of the most essential of them.
Open Carriers
Open cable tracks feature crossbars that contain the conduits and guide them through a facility. They are good for clean environments where contamination, dust, and debris aren’t issues since open carriers allow easy access to the cables, wires, and hoses held within them. However, this type of cable carrier is not ideal for outdoor applications or situations where the cables and hoses could be exposed to abrasives or airborne contaminants.
Closed Carriers
Closed carriers cover the conduits. They’re a better option for potentially hazardous environments. However, closed carriers make it slightly more difficult to access the cables.
Tube-Style Carriers
Specialized tube-style carriers may be required for outdoor applications and certain indoor uses. They feature solid lids that offer maximum protection but still allow access for maintenance and adjustments.
Metal Carriers
The sturdiest kind of cable carrier is made from metal. These heavy-duty cable tracks are designed to hold hundreds of pounds of weight. They are also able to withstand significant abrasion and other mechanical hazards.
Plastic Carriers
Plastic carriers can be either open or closed systems. They are ideal for lightweight applications and long-travel systems. Like metal carriers, they come in both open and enclosed configurations. Plastic carriers can be modular or standard systems but it’s important to note that they can’t usually carry as much weight as metal cable tracks.
Cable Carrier Accessories
There are also ways to customize cable tracks to meet specific needs. Removable covers and crossbars are a good example, as they allow easier access for the installation and removal of conduits. Zipper-style carriers feature connected crossbars, which means that opening one of them also opens the adjacent covers.
Vertical cable partitions are designed to keep cables, hoses, or wires separate when they are included in the same carriers. Horizontal dividers can also be used to separate conduits. Strain reliefs keep the conduits in position.
Cable Carrier Specifications
No matter what type of cable carrier a company purchases, the buyer will need a basic understanding of the specifications used within the industry. Here’s what everyone needs to know:
- Inside width and height measure the carrier in cross-section.
- Mounting height refers to the minimum height from a cable carrier’s bottom to the top of a curved section.
- The bend radius is measured to the center of a cable carrier in a curved section and must be at least 8-10x the diameter of the thickest conduit.
Buyers will also need to have information available regarding the total travel length, maximum speed, total load, and maximum acceleration. A trained engineer can use this information to determine factors like what type of material to use, how large the carrier will have to be, and more.
How to Choose the Right Type of Carrier
Engineering cable tracks and carriers is a very specific skill set, so no one expects business owners and purchasing managers to know the ins and outs of every option. The best way to choose a carrier is to contact an expert in the field.
