Mounting a cable duct on a wall or other room surface is one of the most common, quick, feasible methods of open wiring. This allows not to dismantle obsolete wiring in old buildings, but to conduct a new one, especially when it is made of aluminum wire and its total load is not enough to connect new electrical appliances.
- Device and advantages
- Basic selection rules
- How to fix the cable channel
- Mounting Features
Device and advantages
The cable channel is a structure consisting of 2 parts:
- grounds;
- covers.
The profile of the assembled structure can be rectangular, triangular, rounded. The base is always flat, because mounted on a flat surface, most often on a wall. Inside, it can have partitions that allow you to separate conductors for various purposes and facilitate their installation. The cover is inserted into the special grooves of the base and securely connected to it. This design allows you to quickly dismantle or build up the network during its modernization.
The materials for the manufacture of products are:
- metal (cold-rolled or galvanized steel, aluminum);
- plastic (most often polyvinyl chloride - PVC).
For the installation of a route of various configurations, wiring boxes are supplied with special accessories (plugs, transitions, joints, etc.). This allows corners, joints, various transitions and bends to be aesthetically beautiful, which will not spoil the interior. Accessories are compatible with a certain type of box, selected depending on the path of laying open wiring. They are produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers of different sizes in a wide range of colors with different degrees of protection (from IP00 to IP44).
The main advantages include:
- ease of installation and dismantling;
- the ability to lay conductors along a route with a complex configuration;
- easy access to conductors;
- protection of wires and cables from fire, damage, moisture, rodents and other negative factors;
- the ability to install switches and sockets directly on the surface of the product;
- a wide range of manufactured products, which makes it possible to choose for specific needs.
Basic selection rules
The choice of a particular product depends on the following factors:
- purpose of the premises;
- installation locations;
- colors;
- size;
- lock type.
For different types of premises, depending on the installation location, a different type of cable channel is selected:
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- for industrial plants and for outdoor installation, usually made of aluminum or steel;
- for installation in private properties, offices, apartments - made of impact-resistant, self-extinguishing plastic.
Metal products are more reliable in terms of fire resistance than those made of PVC, so they are used to create warning systems and fire alarms, access control, and outdoor video surveillance. Aluminum cable channels do not corrode during operation, while steel ones require careful handling (any scratch will eventually lead to oxidative processes, which will negatively affect its appearance and strength). The color of the product is selected depending on the design of the room, the color of the outer wall of the building, or they try to choose one that will be in harmony with them.
The choice of size, number of sections depends on the diameter of the conductors being laid and their number. They always select a product with a certain margin so that, in case of laying additional communications, it is possible to use the existing main route. The standard dimensions of cable channels in mm are as follows:
- in width from 12 to 100 (12; 15; 16; 20; 25; 40; 50; 60; 70; 80; 100);
- height from 10 to 60 (10; 12; 16; 25; 40; 60);
- length - 2000.
Locks for cable channels can be very different. It depends on the production technology adopted by the manufacturer. You need to choose one that snaps well without much effort, and opening and closing operations can be performed repeatedly. This facilitates not only installation, but also dismantling. It must also be remembered that a cable duct with a double-sided snap-on cover is better than a cover that opens to one side.
How to fix the cable channel
Before proceeding with the installation of the product, you must perform the following operations:
- preliminarily execute the scheme of the future route, taking into account the features of its laying. This will help determine the number of cable channels, the accessories and fittings necessary for its installation;
- determine the material of the walls on which the mounting boxes will be installed;
- determine the size of the cable channel (as an option, there may be several). Here the circuit diagram will be of great help;
- make markup.
To perform these operations, it is necessary to prepare the following tools, fixtures and materials:
- ruler;
- level, pencil or marker;
- joiner's miter box;
- drill or screwdriver;
- hacksaw for metal;
- perforator;
- drill Ø 6 mm;
- a hammer;
- fasteners, including liquid nails.
Mounting depends on the surface. Main ways:
- self-tapping screws for wood - for rooms whose walls or partitions are made of wood or drywall;
- self-tapping screws for metal - to metal bases;
- dowel-nails - to concrete, blocks or bricks;
- liquid nails - to smooth surfaces such as tiles or metal.
Mounting Features
The temperature at which the installation of cable channels is carried out varies widely, but should not fall below minus 50 ° C and rise above 60 ° C. The box installation algorithm is as follows:
- de-energize the object by turning off the input machine;
- perform marking directly on the surfaces where the base will be attached;
- cut the box to the required length;
- remove the cover;
- fix the base. To do this, if fastening is made to wood, drywall or metal, it is necessary to attach it to the surface, drill holes directly through it in increments of 40 - 50 mm and fix it with self-tapping screws. In the case of fastening to concrete, blocks, bricks, first holes are drilled in the wall, into which dowels are installed, and then, having attached the base, they are fixed with nails. They are inserted into dowels and hammered flush with the base. When using special glue (liquid nails) for fastening, they first lubricate the base, then bring it to the place of fastening and press it. Then take a few minutes away from this place and re-glue. Sometimes in this case, additional fastening is carried out using self-tapping screws or dowel-nails.
- install the necessary accessories simulating the track. Attention must be paid to the corners. You need to make them impeccably using special overlays.
- lay the wires in the base, making sure that they are not intertwined, securely fasten them;
- close the base with a lid
- install overhead sockets and switches, if provided for by the scheme;
- turn on the power supply to the facility;
- check the functionality.
The dismantling of the ducts is carried out with de-energizing the section of the route in the reverse order - the corners, overhead products and other accessories, the cover are removed, the wires are removed, then the fasteners. After careful dismantling, the product can be reused.
Installation of a cable channel for laying low-current and power conductors in an open way is the cheapest and most labor-intensive way to supply an object with electricity, which can be done independently without resorting to the services of specialists. This can be done with basic knowledge of electrical engineering, labor safety and with the ability to use the necessary tools and devices.
It is no accidental interest in how to fix the cable channel to the wall is shown by any person who is not satisfied with the unaesthetic appearance of the wall or floor, curtained (covered) with twisted wires. In addition, from the point of view of the likelihood of a fire, such harnesses are quite dangerous.
Moreover, they can be mistaken for a toy by small children and pets. Yes, and stumbling or clinging to the cords bothers. Of course, stationary wires are usually hidden in the wall during repairs. But if, say, you bought an air conditioner or gave your child a computer later, when the repair was already completed, it’s frankly a pity to ditch a freshly finished surface for the sake of one wire. This is where the electrical box comes to the rescue.
In its main advantages: the ability to mount everything yourself, the insulation of wires from each other, an acceptable appearance of the structure. At the same time, it can be fixed on any type of surface. Concrete, wood, foam block, even metal - everything is fine.
How to fix the cable channel to the wall? There are 2 main ways. Let's look at both in this article.
What you need to know about cable channels
(banner_content)Electrical boxes differ in several ways. For starters, this is the material from which they are made:
- steel. They are suitable for both indoor laying and for protecting cables outside buildings. The outer surface is galvanized. Boxes of different colors are produced, which allows you to choose the most harmonious one in your case. Does not burn. The disadvantages are the high price and corrosion when scratched;
- aluminum. These, by definition, do not rust, have a very elegant look, and, of course, fire resistance. Everyone is good, but again - the roads;
- plastic. They are usually used in home wiring. Plastic, serve for a long time, the color scheme allows you to make them almost invisible in the overall interior. However, plastic cannot resist fire. Therefore, when choosing a cable channel, one should take an interest in the physical characteristics of its material and stop at one that does not burn, but melts, and in this process emits a minimum amount of harmful substances.
The next thing you need to pay attention to is the cable channel device. According to the rules of electrical installation, a separate cell must be allocated for each wire. This is especially important if both power and low-current wires are hidden in the same box. They should not contact - this leads to signal attenuation. Based on this, we select a cable channel of one of the types described below.
A box with a single section, having a one-sided lid. Suitable if you need to stretch the cable from the entrance to the apartment to the TV or computer. Or to hide the cord from the air conditioner to the outlet.
Two-piece box with double-sided lid. What you need if 2 cables go in the same direction.
If there are more wires, you will have to mount additional cable channels one above the other. However, in this case, you can already think about laying a strobe - if the connection is stationary, and the devices to which the cables lead, the owner is not going to move.
Sometimes people are confused by the shape of the electrical box. It seems to them rude and does not fit into the interior. I would like to please: the cable channel can have rounded, soft outlines. It will take a little longer to look for one, but it does not apply to scarce goods.
Installation of cable channels: preparation
Most often, difficulties arise in the design of corners and turns. Here you can choose one of the available options:
- cut the elements joining at the turn at an angle of 45 degrees, and after the installation is completed, cover the seam gap with a sealant of a suitable color. If the cable channel wraps around the corner of the room, it is cut at a right angle (as a result of which the wires become visible at the turn), and the junction is closed with a plug;
- buy appropriate turn signals and corners. Installation, even home-made, at the same time increases the cost of consumables somewhat. But installation in difficult places is greatly simplified, and the end result looks much more elegant.
Adhesive mounting
It is very simple in execution, but has a significant drawback: if necessary, the cable channel can be removed only with pieces of decoration or even plaster. In addition, if the walls are not too even, then uneven gaps will remain between the box and the surface, which is not very attractive visually and is not recommended in operation. However, if you are sure that you will not have to dismantle the cable channel, you can use the following instructions.
- The cable channel is cut to size, applied to the wall, floor or ceiling, and the compliance with the markings and the tightness of the joining of individual parts is checked.
- Glue (for example, liquid nails) is applied in a wavy line to the wrong side of the base of the segment. The width of the wave is approximately 1.5 of the width of the box.
- The element is pressed against the surface for a couple of seconds and is immediately removed. The adhesive trace remaining on the wall should thicken a little.
- The channel returns to its place and presses, now more firmly, so that it grapples with the wall.
A special case of the adhesive installation method can be considered the installation of cable channels, on the basis of which an adhesive has already been applied. However, this option usually does not inspire confidence among users, and therefore it is also supplemented with self-tapping fasteners.
Mounting with dowels
A little more labor-intensive, but reliable and provides the possibility of dismantling. The upper part (cover) is removed from the cut cable channel. The base is applied to the markup and a hole is drilled right through it in the wall. If the base is reinforced concrete, block or brick, it is easier to make it with a puncher.
Hole pitch - from 40 to 50 cm. With a clear curvature of the walls, the distance decreases so that the mounted box fits snugly against the surface along its entire length. The base is laid down, and the plastic part of the dowels is screwed into the holes. The lower half is attached back and fixed with the main part of the fastener.
Wires are laid, the cover is put in place. And the question of how to fix the cable channel to the wall can be considered successfully resolved. Which way you like - you have to decide for yourself. But advice: when choosing a glue method, at least occasionally add dowels to it so as not to return to this again.
It is almost impossible to fit openly hanging wires into the interior. About 40 years ago, there were two ways to conduct electricity in an apartment - to brick the wires into the walls or leave them in plain sight, fixing them on insulators. Leaving it in plain sight is ugly and dangerous. Immured in the walls - there will be difficulties with replacing the wire and moving the sockets to a convenient place. Installation of cable channels eliminates these inconveniences.
How to choose a cable channel
The cable channel is a rectangular, usually U-shaped profile, closed with a flat snap-on cover made of the same material. Sometimes they are called boxes. Installation of cable channels is carried out along the perimeter of the rooms under the ceiling at a distance of 15 cm with vertical outlets to sockets and switches. To lay wires through walls, holes are drilled in opposite channels and the wall..
For laying power and low-current wires in one box, profiles with one or two partitions are produced. The standard length of the box for walls and ceilings is 2 meters, the minimum profile section is 8 × 8 mm, the maximum is 100 × 60 mm. For laying a small number of wires, usually low-current, at the corners between the floor and walls, there are skirting boards of a special design. If you want to bring the wire to the device, remote from the walls, there are floor options with a rounded surface.
Boxes differ in cost and performance depending on the material. Products are produced:
- from plastic. The most common option and the cheapest. For rooms with high humidity and on the outer walls of the building, IP 55 plastic with a high degree of protection can be used. The color palette of plastic boxes allows you to choose the desired tone;
- aluminum coated with polyethylene. More expensive, but stronger and more durable than plastic ones. The number of opening-closing cycles of the lid is small due to the extension of the locks. The polyethylene coating is easily destroyed by mechanical action. The color is given to the channels with a polyethylene coating and is quite diverse;
- steel galvanized. Such structures are the most durable and expensive. Mainly used under high load conditions. For example, with floor wiring and in the external environment. The color of the products is varied.
Choosing the type and size of boxes with the definition of wiring throughout the house from the electrical panel and cable entry points for television, computer network, telephone and burglar alarms to sockets, switches and lamps by drawing lines of wires on the drawing of an apartment or house. Depending on the power of the connected equipment, the wires will be of different thicknesses, this should be noted on the drawing.
The cost of construction is highly dependent on the section of the main duct. However, if boxes of different sections are installed in a room along the ceiling, this will spoil the interior. According to the drawn diagram, we determine the cross section of the main cable channel for each room and the total length of each standard size, taking into account the vertical connection to sockets and switches.
You should immediately calculate for each section of the box the number of internal and external corners along the wiring line, the number of end transitions of the plugs, the number of T-shaped transitions to the branches and their cross section. Of course, you can do without them, but the gaps at the joints, the difference in sections will be striking. The use of sealant to seal gaps will lead to difficulties if necessary, for example, to add or replace wire in the trunk.
The wiring will take on an aesthetically finished look if the sockets and switches are installed from the same manufacturer. They are perfect in size and design.
Preparation for work
After determining and acquiring the required range of boxes and additional elements, the installation sites should be marked. At the same time, trying to observe the horizontal and vertical lines of the installation, we advise you to focus on an equal distance along the entire length to the ceiling of the main ducts, and for bends - the distance to the nearest room corner.
To work, you will need a stepladder, a perforator drill, a screwdriver, a hacksaw for cutting plastic, a level. Depending on the materials of the wall and the box, other tools may be required, for example, a hacksaw.
It is not necessary to saw off the main channels in advance - the probability of an error is high. During installation, you can determine the exact size by simply attaching them to the installation site.
Nuances of mounting to a concrete wall
How to fix the cable channel to the wall depends on the material of the walls, since they have different strengths. The weight of the structure is determined mainly by the weight of the cable in the main box and ranges from 100 grams in the lightest case to several kilograms per linear meter. The distance between the screws should not exceed half a meter. If holes for fastening are not provided at the base of the box, it is better to drill them immediately before installing each piece. Consider each type of wall material and installation features.
There are several ways to fix the cable channel to a concrete wall. You can choose the most suitable one:
- Professionals do this job with an air gun and special nails. The fastest option, but dismantling will be difficult, and the tool is expensive.
- We drill holes with a puncher in the previously marked places for attaching the cable channel. We insert plastic dowels and fix the channel on the screws. The most common installation method for small volumes of work.
- Adhesive connection. For use on flat surfaces only. Subsequent dismantling unequivocally renders the cable channels unusable. Procedure: on the base of the cable channel of the required length, apply special glue (liquid nails) along the sinusoid and apply it for a second to the place marked on the wall. After 2 minutes, the cable channel must be firmly pressed for the glue hardening time indicated on the package.
Fastening the cable channel to a brick wall can be done in the same way as for concrete walls. In this case, it should be taken into account that the dismantling of the glued structures will lead to the detachment of the plaster.
Mounting the cable channel on a wall made of wood or GVL is almost the same. Drilling holes is not required, the screws are screwed directly into the wall material.
It should be noted that due to the fragility of gypsum fiber, the distance between the screws can be reduced. The adhesive method when applied to wood and GVL has the same advantages and disadvantages as on other materials.
If it is necessary to fasten the cable channels to a metal partition, you can use special metal screws 1.5–2.0 cm long with a drill at the end. If the surface is smooth, you can apply the adhesive method.
Before purchasing and installing cable channels, determine the position and number of power and low-voltage sockets in each place. If you know where and what kind of furniture and electrical appliances will stand, it will not be difficult to calculate the sockets.
It is more convenient to lay the wires in the channels in one bundle, while closing the box. You can stretch the wires alternately, securing the covers already laid in a small piece every half meter.
For fixing a large number of wires on GVL sheets, special nylon plugs inserted into the wall can be used for screws.
The safety of operation of open wiring of cables is the main factor when choosing boxes and other structures that, in addition to protection, also perform an aesthetic function in the interior of the room.
Purpose of structures for open laying of wires
Cable channels are represented on the electrical engineering market by plastic and metal products, they are successfully used for open and closed installation of cable and wire products, they make it easy to install a cable in an apartment. They are successfully used indoors and outdoors, they can be called "trays for wires", "boxes", "electrotechnical structures for laying wires".
The functional purpose of electrical structures is to protect the wires from the possibility of mechanical action on them, and all other functions, including appearance, are additional, for which different colors and shades of products are added.
Experts classify these products into two groups:
- Rigid channels for electrical wiring. These include boxes with or without a cover, as well as skirting, parapet and floor channels for wires.
- Flexible electrical structures: corrugated tubes, sectional products and others.
In most cases, a metal cable channel is used in construction for the installation of wires, it can be of different sections: square, rectangle, as well as another specific section, round profile. The body of the box is cast, but it can also be perforated; it is used when better ventilation of the wires is needed to cool them.
The cover and body are connected with a lock, which makes it easy to open and close the channel, and this allows cable installers to add or remove wires in the box, simplify wiring. Locks are simple and complex, which require a special tool and skill to open. A double lock is widely used, which provides excellent fixation and repeated ability to open and close the cover of the structure.
Cable ducts can have an internal partition, which is used to separate power wires from low-voltage wiring (communication cable, Internet wires, digital television). On sale you can see electrical structures in which, if necessary, you can independently install partitions to separate power and low-current wiring, which makes it easy to fix the cable in the channel.
Requirements for the material from which the box for laying wires is made:
- high strength (plastic, metal);
- fire resistance.
Types of electrical structures
Types of cable channels can be divided according to the form of manufacture and the material from which they are made. Rigid structures are made of durable plastic or galvanized metal. The perforated cable tray allows for natural ventilation, which improves the electrical conductivity of cable products.
Whenever structures for laying wires are selected, it is necessary to take into account the places in which they will be installed. For rigid boxes, this is installation in frame houses, on the ceiling surface, when installing a stretch ceiling, in a floor gasket. The closed type of construction is mounted on the wall or ceiling using self-tapping screws or dowels.
Aluminum boxes of Italian and German manufacturers are popular in the Russian market. All manufactured electrical structures are equipped with: tees, turns, internal or external corners, a cross. Components have an elongated cover, which makes it possible to create the illusion of a single design.
A flexible type of electrical products is tracks, they can bend along the entire length, but only up or down. Sectional connection is realized with the help of hinges, all sections are closed with a lid, except for the connection point, which makes them semi-closed. This is the best solution when you need a box of this kind.
Flexible channels are more expensive than rigid ones, for this reason they are more often used in industrial premises for connecting equipment. The prices for hard boxes are much lower, for this reason they are used in the community for apartment renovations. The tubular type of flexible conduit can be bent in any direction, often used to connect electric door locks, in conjunction with a flexible cable.
Skirting structures
This type of wire duct allows hidden wiring of additional cables in the apartment. The dimensions of the cable channels for skirting-type electrical wiring can be different, they depend on the manufacturer and are presented in the table below:
| Manufacturer | Size (mm) |
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| Company | ||||
| Company Legrand mini series | ||||
| Company Legrand | ||||
Manufacturers of plinth structures for laying wires complete them with a variety of additional products, these are plugs, internal corners, external corners, external elements, modular boxes (allowing installation of sockets at the level of the plinth), bends.
Manufacturers produce cable channels of various shades, which makes it possible to choose a skirting board design for your own interior. The disadvantage of plinth channels is their high cost, but it is cheaper than work on the manufacture of shtrab and further finishing of the apartment.
Floor structures
Products for outdoor use have a special shape and installation specifics. Laying cables in channels of this type protects them from mechanical impact, as they are made of plastic with high impact resistance, as well as aluminum, have the shape of a semicircle on one side, which makes it possible to move freely in the room.
Trays for floor wiring are used when there is a need to transition from a wall structure attached to a concrete surface to a connection object (sockets near the table). Channels of this type are made in several colors, gray and black prevail. They have dimensions of 50x12 mm, 92x20 mm and others. All floor structures have IP40 protection level.
Other types of channels for laying cables
When deciding which channel to choose, other designs are taken into account:
- Parapet view, which is similar to the plinth channel, but has a difference in the form of manufacture. They also have a complete set of components, are used in office space and in production. In apartments, this type of channel is used to connect blocks of cooling systems (air conditioners).
The industry produces these products in different sizes: 80x40, 100x55, 120x60 and others. How to fix the cable channel to the wall? This issue is easily resolved due to the available components, on a concrete wall with dowels, and on drywall with self-tapping screws.
- Corner structures make it possible to hide wires at the level of the ceiling surface. The installation of these products is carried out at the junction of the wall and ceiling, looks like a ceiling plinth, has a size of 40x40 mm, this is the most common option, you must first apply marking lines.
- A channel for an LED strip, or a transparent cable channel, which is a type of corner structure, but its cover is transparent. Often used to organize lighting in cabinets and in the kitchen.
The interior of the apartment will not suffer when decorative lighting is needed and an LED strip in a translucent box can be used. The price of wiring in a cable channel is much cheaper than hidden. Mounted lighting systems on corner boxes effectively organize the light space.
How to mount structures for wires?
Fastening the cable channel largely depends on the configuration of the room, as well as on how many and what components will be used. They are fixed through the hole made with a fastener to the surface. Each product has an installation manual, in which the product manufacturer gives instructions on how to properly install cable channels, how to attach them to the surface. If during installation the recommended distances are observed, then the whole structure will look like a single whole system, for this reason the wiring in the cable channel will be simple.
Initially, to work with the box, you need to understand what size it should be. To make the installation of wiring according to the electrical circuit simple, it is necessary to determine the number of cables or wires passing through the channel, taking into account their cross-sections and brands, and to calculate the cable box. For this purpose, it is better to invite an electrician. When choosing a box, it is necessary to leave a margin of free space in it for possible electrical installation actions in the future. Installation of electrical wiring is carried out taking into account the requirements for laying power and low-current power supply systems - they are led separately or through an installed partition in the selected box.
You can install the cable channel vertically or horizontally; inclined installation of structures for electrical wires is allowed on flights of stairs. To perform installation work and even cuts, metal scissors are often used.
To obtain a box of the desired size from aluminum or metal, use a hacksaw for metal. Branches are cut in the following order:
- the lid on the box snaps into place and the edges are aligned;
- a mark on the required length is applied both to the cover and to the box body;
- after that, you can separately cut the cable structure to the desired length.
If the structure will be located on a wooden surface, it is fastened with nails, on a concrete wall - with dowels. The distance between the attachment points is no more than 600 mm. At the end of the box and at the joints, the distance of the attachment point from the edge of the box is 30 or 50 mm. It is impossible to allow the coincidence of the joint of the cover and the body when joining two boxes, this will help to visually avoid uneven surfaces.
Conclusion
Laying cable and wire products in trays or electrical structures is not difficult, inside you can fasten the wires with PVC tape, the main thing is to install them correctly and select the required size of the box. Corrugated tubes are also wire routing channels that allow installation and cable connection to equipment with frequent movement in space.
The standard length of the box is about 2000 mm, it is necessary to choose such a size that at least 20% of the free space remains in it for possible future wiring. Cut with large scissors, a hacksaw for metal. The only requirement for electrical wiring in the cable structure during installation is that the wires should not be twisted, spacers are used in long sections, power wires and communication wires should be laid separately. If the structures are long, a supporting jumper is installed on them after 500 mm, this will prevent the walls from sagging and opening the lock of the box. Why buy expensive boxes - proceed from your own budget and the intended use of the structure.
Installation of electrical wiring networks can be carried out in an open and hidden way. Each of them has pros and cons, but the first option is often the only possible one. A simple one with fixation with hardware at a small step of about 100 cm is also not suitable according to modern operational standards and safety requirements. The way out is the use of a cable channel, in the niche of which the wire is placed. The technology is quite simple, but when using it, it is important to take into account several nuances of installation. How about the wall? The answer to this question will depend on the type of surface and the operating conditions of the electrical infrastructure.
What is a cable channel
This is a mounting box designed for laying cable routes on different surfaces in the room. Its task is to mask and physically protect the wires from damage and dust. The main material for the manufacture of the box structure is a plastic alloy, which can have moisture and thermal protection. There are also metal structures - from galvanized or cold-rolled steel. But the use of metal boxes is not always convenient due to electromagnetic interference and rigid structure.
The appearance of the product may vary in texture and texture. The classic white plastic cable channel is most common, but there are also stylized design options for wood or stone tiles. Also, the channel is supplemented with various mounting and adjustment fittings for laying in difficult places and creating functional electrical units.
General installation technology
The technology of installation and fastening of the cable channel involves several operations. At the basic stage, the contours of the gasket are marked, along which the channel will be laid in segments. Next, you should fix the base of the structure. It should be noted that the channel itself is formed by several segments - at least it will be a bearing part in the form of a thin long panel, which is mounted directly to the wall. The second obligatory part is the closing cover, which is fixed with latches or slot lock connectors to the already installed base. How to fix the cable channel to the wall? There are several methods: from fixing with holders to direct installation using self-tapping screws, bolts or other twisted hardware. In both cases, the preliminary creation of format holes for deepening fasteners is required. The only exception is the adhesive method of fixation.
Distribution box installation
Complex branched and intersecting routes must be securely fixed at the junctions. A special accessory in the form of a junction box allows you to properly organize the gasket at such points. It is usually made from the same material as the main channel. With a large number of nodes of intersection or connection of routes, it is better to use plastic kits, since during installation it may be necessary to create abnormal holes and perforations.
How to fix the cable channel to the wall with a junction box? The markup is done in the same way. Further, a box is installed at the junction points - this operation is performed with complete fasteners with anchors, brackets or screws. It is important to observe such a position of the box so that the output sides are clearly oriented to the lines of the cable channels. The latter are fixed at the bottom of the box with the help of plugs and other special clips, which must be present in the kit. At the final stage, after connecting the wiring lines, the structure is closed with a junction box cover.
Working with corners
The most difficult sections of laying the cable channel are the corners. Theoretically, it is possible to get by with a standard design in such places, by cutting and bending it correctly. And for this, you should initially use a flexible cable channel that will not break during installation and will not break after some time of operation. But a more reliable option involves the use of special corners - internal and external. Such accessories consist of a carrier base, track separators and an external lining (cover). This is a kind of transitional segment, acting as a link between the contours, joined at an angle. Of course, there is no need for a joint as such - the route can be laid in a continuous manner, and the connecting operations will only affect a bunch of flexible corners with two channels on the sides. All fastening operations are performed using the same list of hardware.
How to fix the cable channel to a concrete wall
The optimal solution is to use a combination of a dowel with an anchor. The format of fasteners must be suitable for the design load on the structure. First, a hole is created using an electric drill. If it is a dense concrete wall with a solid base, a powerful impact drill or even a hammer drill may be required. The same scheme is used if you need to fix on a brick wall. How to fix the cable channel? A carrier panel of the channel is applied to the prepared holes, and then the anchor is installed. If all the holes match, you can twist the hardware. Next, the attachment points are covered with sealant and the lid is closed.
How to fix the cable channel to a wooden wall
Rigid power hardware is not suitable for soft wood bases. The same applies to various kinds of panel structures, foam blocks, gypsum sheets, etc. In this case, a more delicate and at the same time tight entry of fasteners into the soft base is required. How and how to fix the cable channel to the wall of wood? It is advisable to use black self-tapping screws 30-40 mm long. Very long and very small elements will not work for various reasons - from excessive destruction of the base to insufficient bearing strength. Twisting is done with a screwdriver with a Phillips bit at low speeds. The step between the attachment points is maintained at about 50 cm.
It is important to note that the black color of the self-tapping screw is more preferable due to its resistance to corrosion. But contact with wood also implies other threats of a biological nature already for the structure of the wall. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to pre-treat the surface of the fastener with special protective impregnations for wood.
Adhesive fastening method
The carrier panel of the channel is glued to the wall surface using mounting adhesive or liquid nails. How to fix the cable channel to the wall in this way? On the back side of the panel, it is enough to apply a thin wavy line of the composition with an amplitude of about 75% of the channel width. Next, the base of the box is pressed against the wall and held for about 30 seconds. The specific nuances of the workflow will depend on the type of adhesive, but the main thing is that it be compatible with the channel material and the attachment surface.
Conclusion
The use of special devices for laying cable routes indoors is inexpensive, but it provides effective protection for wiring during operation. For example, a two-meter segment of a flexible cable channel can be purchased for only 20-30 rubles. Piece fittings and related accessories will cost the same amount. For a large office with thick and long routes, complex installation will require significant investments, but these costs will pay off thanks to the electrical reliability of the infrastructure. After all, if the channels are left open, they will be subject to numerous negative influences, which in the near future will require replacement of wire insulation or a complete renovation of the route. And this is not to mention the aesthetic accent, since cable channels that are correctly selected according to the texture not only hide the wiring, but can also place design accents in the interior of the room.
