Put it on the plastic
PVC is one of the most widely used thermoplastic materials in the world. Its versatility makes it suitable for many products including, in its rigid form, cable trunking.
Steve Thistlethwaite, product manager at MK Electric says: "Because of its universal development and wide application, pvc is very economic to produce. For the last 50 years, the use of pvc in cable management applications has provided installers and end users with a versatile range of products." This large range includes single and multi-compartment trunking in a wide range of sizes and conduit and mini-trunking for interior and exterior use. The contractor can get everything needed from one source, reducing costs, time penalties and compatibility problems.
"PVC has good insulating properties, offering cost savings from its natural electrical insulation, doing away with the need for additional earthing on outer casings. This offers a high level of electrical safety," says Thistlethwaite.
Its low heat conductance and resistance to combustion means that there is also protection where it crosses fire barriers.
Thistlethwaite continues: "Trunking in pvc is extremely light, reducing transport costs and handling. Its natural flexibility allows it to cope with building tolerances includes imperfect walls and gentle radii. It is easy to cut and fabricate on site, not needing special parts to cope with unusual problems, and without producing sharp burrs that may damage cables." PVC also has excellent corrosion and chemical resistance making it ideal for many industrial applications offering a long maintenance-free performance.
Thistlethwaite concludes: "Coloured options allow pvc to fit in with the decor without the need for painting. It is also easy to keep clean, needing nothing more than a wipe with a cloth to remove stubborn stains."
All out for aluminium
Aluminium systems have the lightest weight of all metallic cable management options, combined with high rigidity, ease of installation and corrosion resistance.
Dave Haskins, product manager with Britmac Cable Management Systems says: "Aluminium is very flexible. It is easy to cut and drill, and fast-fit couplings reduce installation times as well as allowing you to modify installations at a later date." It is easy to work at the manufacturing stage and simply made accessories, such as preformed inner and outer corners and T-pieces, with snap-fit joining systems, help to reduce installation costs.
Haskins states: "When multi-compartmented trunking is used to carry a variety of cabling the metallic nature of aluminium provides a high level of protection against "spiking". This may arise if a power surge occurs. Non-metallic cable systems need something installed to overcome this problem – foil or additional segregation – usually of aluminium, adding to the costs." Aluminium is non-magnetic and has high electrical conductivity. As a result, there is no build-up of static charge which attracts dirt. For this reason, it is preferred for areas requiring a clean environment, such as hospitals, labs and IT facilities.
"Within the modern office and in public places, aluminium trunking can be supplied either anodised or powder coated to virtually any colour to match the decor of the surroundings," says Haskins. "Its strength and nature means that it is not easily damaged and its appearance is easily maintained." "As an added incentive," says Haskins, "aluminium is a recyclable material and retains a high residual value when stripped out. This is a significant economic factor for large installations." Aluminium is also halogen free, meeting the requirements for lsf materials that are becoming the norm on many projects.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
