Wire rope suspension systems

[edit] Introduction

Historically, cable management and support systems have been installed in the same way for decades. It is a system that works, but it's one which often results in over engineered containment with far too many brackets holding up very little cable and a lot of fresh air. However, by utilising the standards and working on manufacturers loading information it is possible to reduce the volume of steel required.

[edit] Standards

IEC 61537:2006, The Cable Tray and Ladder Standard, provides the manufacturer with information on fixing centres and testing methods for containment under load. This results in each manufacturer having load graphs which show what weight their products can carry at varying fixing centres.

Power cables are frequently installed on tray and ladder systems in such a way that it is normal to see 75% of the tray or ladder empty on long runs with the bending radius of the cable being accommodated on a large bend section. Potentially the long straight runs could easily be reduced in size, thereby reducing the volume of steel significantly. The difference in weight between ladder sizes is around 10-15%.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Cable.
• Shortages of cable management products.
• Stainless steel in construction.

[edit] External resources

• IEC, IEC 61537:2006, Cable management - Cable tray systems and cable ladder systems.