
Wire Ducts

Wire ducts are essential components in the organization and protection of electrical wiring, especially in complex systems like control panels and electrical enclosures. These ducts are typically made from rigid PVC, which offers durability and protection against environmental factors. The unique design of wire ducts, often with slotted ducts and duct fingers, allows for easy installation and organization of wires and cables. They are particularly useful for housing and organizing a multitude of small diameter wires, ensuring that the wiring remains accessible, organized, and protected.
A key feature of many wire ducts is their ability to create slots where needed, which can be snapped off with a simple tool like a screwdriver. This customization allows for the easy routing of wires into and out of the duct while keeping them neatly organized. The slots also provide the convenience of adding or rerouting wires without much hassle.
In control panels, wire ducts play a crucial role in organizing wiring and making maintenance and troubleshooting tasks more manageable. They also protect the cables from dust, debris, and other contaminants that might affect the performance or cause safety issues. Some wire ducts come with replacement covers, ensuring that wires are not only organized but also securely enclosed, offering additional protection.
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More Information about Wire Ducts
The size and shape of wire ducts can vary significantly, designed to suit different applications. From compact designs meant for limited spaces to larger versions for extensive wiring systems, wire ducts are available in various lengths and widths. Their rounded edges and customizable slots contribute to safety, minimizing the risk of damage to the wires or injury to technicians working with them.
Wire ducts are a practical solution for managing and protecting electrical cables and wires, especially in settings where safety, organization, and easy access are paramount. Their design features, including slotted walls, snap-off fingers, and varying sizes, cater to a wide range of requirements, making them suitable for diverse applications in electrical and control systems.
To further enhance their utility, there are wire duct accessories available. Replacement covers, for instance, are crucial as they not only shield the wires from dust, debris, and other contaminants but also keep the installation looking neat and professional. These covers often come with rounded edges, minimizing the risk of damage to the cables or injury to those working around them.
FAQs
Are wire trough and cable ducts the same thing?
Wire troughs and cable ducts are similar but not identical in their applications and design. Wire troughs are typically used for organizing and protecting wires and cables in an open yet shielded manner, often found in industrial or commercial settings. Cable ducts, on the other hand, are enclosed conduits that provide a more secure and protected pathway for cable management, commonly used in a variety of environments, including residential and office spaces.
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.