Wire Duct
A wire duct is an indispensable apparatus for the orderly arrangement and protection of electrical wiring. In control panels, electrical enclosures, and assorted wiring architectures, the wire duct facilitates the neat layout of cables. Ducts are most commonly made of rigid materials, such as PVC, and they hold a slight advantage over a wire basket in terms of accessibility to the cables. The open-face design of a wire duct provides basic accessibility for adding and removing wires, while the slotted wall design gives a measure of physical access to the wiring path without the need to remove the wiring duct itself.
Providing accessibility while keeping electrical cables secure and looking good is the function of wiring ducts. They come in several widths and lengths, letting you use it virtually anywhere, from control cabinets to electrical applications.
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More Information about Wire Duct
Wire ducts are perfect for use in densely populated enclosures. They help organize cables in a space-efficient manner, and they're much safer than allowing wires to dangle untethered. Ducts allow for the kind of clear organization that makes it possible to ensure that not all electrical components are neatly and distinctively separated—this is critical to reducing the risk of short circuits and other hazardous malfunctions. Wire ducts also facilitate a remarkable improvement in the kind of airflow that is necessary to keep high-performance electrical systems at "cool" operating temperatures.
FAQs
Do slotted ducts come with rounded edges and replacement covers for dust protection?
Yes, slotted ducts often come with rounded edges for safety and replacement covers to provide dust protection, ensuring organized and clean cable management.
What is the width of a narrow slot wire duct?
The width of a narrow slot wire duct typically ranges from 0.5 inches to 1 inch, depending on the manufacturer and application requirements.
4 Best Practices When Fabricating a Control Panel
Use a Larger Enclosure Whenever Possible
This allows room in the panel design to properly space all of the hardware and to install larger wire ducting. Panels that have ample space tend be me more organized, while panels that have everything crammed into a small space tend to be more difficult to work in and are often less organized.
Tap Holes Instead of Using Self-Tapping Screws
It is common for panel builders to use self-tapping screws to save time during the fabrication process. While it can save time, this type of fastener does not always provide the consistent, strong connection that may be needed for the mounted hardware. This is especially true when hardware may need to be removed at some point and then later reattached. Holes that have been tapped prior to hardware installation will offer a stronger, more consistent connection point that will last longer.
Ensure that Wire Ducting is Large Enough
It is very easy to undersize wire ducting when designing a panel. It is important to always plan for wire ducting to have extra room available once all wires have been run through it, including field wires.
When in Doubt, Label it
It is a very good practice to label wires in a control panel, but it is not always required to label the other types of hardware in the panel to meet code. It is important to understand that any operators that may access this panel at a later date may not understand what the hardware in the panel is intended for. To make the panel is as safe as possible, and to allow operators to function in the panel more efficiently, it is a good idea to label everything that may come into question.