CABLING & CONNECTIVITY


of development by manufacturers in consultation with specifiers, contractors and engineers has gone into designing the latest generation of trunking products. This activity has highlighted an overall desire to have a product that is both faster and easier to install resulting in fewer components, reduced on site man hours and the added bonus of improved health and safety. Many of the latest technical features illustrate the level of engineering that has gone into the design. These include double folded safety edges on the return which improves the safety of handling cables, and a wide and strong external coupler to hide unsightly site cuts and ensure good earth continuity, all within a pre-fitted format. Simple, yet effective innovations that make such a difference to speedy installations include slotted ends on all lengths of trunking to allow easy sliding into place and multi-head shake proof screws also aid flexible installation. Built- in serrated flanges ‘bite’ into the steel to assist earth continuity and fitted to all couplers and fittings which are ‘backed off’ ready to fit into the next component. This eliminates the possibility of loose screws going missing and creating any unnecessary delays. In addition, rapid fit cover and use of push-fit, spring loaded turn turnbuckles provide for fast, secure fitting and easy maintenance.


BUDGET CONSTRAINTS


Time is money for today’s electrical contractor and in these highly competitive times it is important to seek ways of being as efficient as possible. With this in mind, selecting cable trunking that will enable a faster fitting process and result in a high quality finish means it is possible to keep costs down while at the same time delivering a quality solution. Another recent innovation that is making a mark by aiding efficient installation is wire basket cable tray. In many situations, they are rapidly replacing steel cable tray as these lightweight basket systems can provide the same results as their heavier and less flexible counterparts. At the same time, they allow for more versatile use at a lower cost, allowing contractors to meet growing budget and time constraints by offering easier handling and, more importantly, faster installations. Most wire basket systems include safety flanges and a manageable ‘cut, bend and join’ structure, allowing the tray to be cut and formed on site with minimal tools. With fast-fit connectors and accessories available, these systems adapt easily to any installation layout and can save more than 30 per cent installation time. Working with wire basket systems for the first time can be a new experience for the electrical contractor. To help, product manufacturers and wholesalers can provide advice on their use including step-by-step illustrations and a range of suggested layout options that can be achieved. Those who have already got to grips


with wire basket cable trays are finding they provide one of the easiest and quickest systems to install, particularly as they can be built on site. This also enables the electrical contractor to tackle any unforeseen obstacles, which could be detrimental to the job if using more traditional rigid systems.


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SELECTING CABLE TRUNKING THAT WILL ENABLE A FASTER FITTING PROCESS AND RESULT IN A HIGH QUALITY FINISH MEANS IT IS POSSIBLE TO KEEP COSTS DOWN WHILE AT THE SAME TIME DELIVERING A QUALITY SOLUTION.


TRIED AND TESTED TECHNIQUES


Along with the latest products, it is important not to forget other established cable management techniques as part of a solution, such as the use of busbars, which offer a pre-wired, flexible and adaptable power distribution in a wide range of applications. They can be installed in suspended ceilings and floors to provide power for lighting, heating and ventilation, telephones and PCs, as well as a flexible decentralised distribution system. For industrial applications, they make an excellent option for factory workstations and machinery for process manufacturing use and even for power transportation purposes if required. Although busbars have been around for several years now, their modular system design includes a number of advantages to those selecting equipment for workplace construction or retrofit projects in the 21st century. Again, where effective and speedy installation is required, many products offer a straightforward and quick solution while providing ‘plug and play’ power distribution with regular connection tap-off points. Highly cost effective to use, busbars keep upfront labour costs to a minimum. Most of these types of product are highly durable, as the fixed trunking


encloses the rigid copper or aluminium conductors and this reliability will also keep maintenance requirements and costs low.


Another useful innovation is rotatable power points, which offer an excellent office space solution for desktop units, under desk modules and integrated production. These personalised power points come with either a horizontal or vertical orientation to fit onto a desktop and connect directly to an under desk system or to the mains via a standard plug. Power, data and telecoms modules can also be easily adapted to meet workstation requirements. Standard, low noise/clean earth and dual circuit options can be used in a wide range of office environments and are particularly suitable where uninterrupted power supply is important to the day-to-day running of a business. In addition, RCD and RCBO protection modules allow for any modifications on existing arrangements to enable compliance with 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.


QUALITY SOLUTIONS


As the current economic climate continues to be tough it is not unusual for contractors to find themselves under


i


Wire basket cable tray can be one of the easiest and quickest systems to install.


pressure to keep costs down. It is possible to carry out a speedy installation and meet legislation, the customers’ requirements and remain within the budget, while at the same time still delivering an effective, quality solution. Careful examination of the


requirements of the project at the outset and working closely with product manufacturers and suppliers to plan the overall system solution will undoubtedly reap rewards. Drawing upon the best products and available industry expertise can smooth the way to a hassle free project and most importantly, the right end result.


Bob Masters is a category manager for Newey & Eyre with responsibility for cable, wiring accessories, circuit protection, cable management, industrial control, data and tools & fittings.


He joined Newey and


Eyre in 1985, straight from the University of Swansea, where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Management Science with Operational Research.


Bob has experience in a wide range of sectors of Newey & Eyre, having worked in branches in the South West region for 10 years in a number of roles; including customer service manager, purchasing manager and field service manager.


He made the move to the company’s Birmingham head office in 1995 to specialise in product management.


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