Cable channels: dimensions, classification of products, selection of parameters

Cable channels: dimensions and classification of products. Parameter selection and estimate

The text discusses such type of devices as cable channels: dimensions and structure of structures, classification of products by main characteristics (material, configuration, design, structure), advantages and scope of their application, as well as additional accessories. The text contains a brief overview of popular manufacturers, average prices for cable channels and recommendations for choosing these products.

Cable channels greatly simplify wiring installation during repair

Device and types of cable channels for electrical wiring: types, prices of products

The cable channel is a box for electrical wiring, made in the form of a closed profile. In most cases, the products have a triangular or rectangular shape, although there are other options. The design consists of a metal or plastic box, as well as a lid. The product is fixed on the surface in various ways.

The cable channel is a construction of a metal or plastic box and cover

For installation , the following are used:

• rivets;
• self-tapping screws;
• special glue;
• screws, etc.

After the product is installed and secured, the cables are laid into the channels, and then the lid is closed. Thanks to the special design, all parts of the device are securely held, so there is no need to purchase additional clamps. Various accessories can be included in the package. It is used to install additional elements.

The standard set usually contains:

• adapters;
• L- or T-shaped connectors;
• cable channel plugs;
• corners, etc.

Connection diagram of the cable channel using additional accessories

If any of the parts were damaged during installation, it can be purchased separately at any hardware store.

The following types of wires can be laid in the cable channels for electrical wiring:

• computer;
• power;
• television;
• phone numbers;
• low-current (video surveillance and fire alarm).

The scope of application of structures, mainly plastic, extends to office and residential buildings, industrial and administrative facilities, medical and educational institutions, baths and entertainment complexes.

Advantages of wiring installation in a cable channel:

Plastic cable ducts are most often used in residential or office premises

Useful advice! When choosing designs, you need to pay attention to the quality of the grooves and fasteners. The durability of the box depends on this, because during operation the product will be subjected to constant loads.

Characteristics of metal cable channels

Metal structures are considered to be of higher quality than plastic boxes for electrical wiring. For their manufacture, manufacturers use two types of material: galvanized steel and anodized aluminum. Such products are able to withstand heavy loads.

Galvanized steel products have refractory properties. They are used to install warning systems and video surveillance. Steel boxes protect the wires from mechanical damage and the influence of electromagnetic radiation. The price of these products is much higher than plastic ones. The cost of a galvanized 60×40 mm cable duct with a length of 2 m (manufacturer OBO Bettermann) is 1175 rubles/piece.

Boxes made of anodized aluminum do not allow electromagnetic radiation to pass to the wiring. This type of material is resistant to fire and mechanical stress, it is practical and durable. The purchase of an aluminum mini-channel 65×40 mm per section (manufacturer SIMON) will cost 3,500 rubles/ piece.

Metal cable channels are more qualitative and durable than their PVC counterparts

Advantages of metal products:

• simple mounting system;
• high level of fire safety;
• large selection of color solutions;
• the presence of a lid equipped with a reliable latch.

In addition to this, the steel box has high impact resistance, resistance to the influence of temperature changes and direct sunlight.

Characteristics of plastic boxes for wires

Plastic boxes for electrical wiring are in high demand. These structures can have a square, triangular or rectangular cross-section. In the assortment of modern stores, you can find plastic products of all types and sizes, cable channels of this type can perform a protective function and at the same time act as a decorative disguise for wires.

Advantages of plastic boxes:

• lightweight construction weight;
• corrosion resistance;
• simple locking system;
• the use of a tool is not required to mount the cover;
• affordable cost;
• the high decorative properties of PVC cable ducts allow them to be used in any interior;
• no special care required;
• the material lends itself well to cutting and allows you to get segments of any length;
• it is not subjected to deformation changes under the influence of temperature jumps.

Cable channels differ from each other in the material of manufacture, configuration and size

Pay attention! In rooms where there is a high probability of fire, it is not recommended to use PVC cable ducts. In this case, it is better to give preference to metal products.

Types and sizes of cable channels: prices and features

Cable channels differ from each other not only in the material of manufacture, but also in configuration and size. There are unusual products on sale, for example, made of aluminum alloys or transparent plastic.

The main types of cable channels:

• skirting boards;
• parapet;
• outdoor;
• mini designs;
• angular type;
• for mounting LED strips;
• metal trays.

All of them have a specific purpose, have their own characteristics and size range.

Features of plastic floor skirting boards with cable channel

If you need to secretly lay electrical wiring in the room, it is better to use skirting products. Inside these structures there are cavities where the cable fits. The products are available in different colors, so consumers can choose the right option for any design and style of the room.

There are many designs of baseboard-type boxes on the market, which help to lay the wiring is not noticeable

These products are very convenient and practical. On sale you can find not only whole systems of baseboard-type boxes, but also additional devices that are used to assemble structures of any configuration.

Such devices include:

• taps of various shapes;
• internal corners;
• external corners;
• junction boxes (100x100x50 mm and other sizes);
• multimodule boxes, etc.

All these devices are designed to install an outlet in a cable channel or a switch. In addition, additional devices allow you to install these elements directly at the level of the baseboard. Thanks to this, switches and sockets will not be very conspicuous and attract attention, although this option is not suitable for elderly people who cannot bend low.

Skirting boxes are available in different colors:

• black;
• white;
• grey;
• imitation of various materials, for example, metal or wood.

The size ranges and standards depend solely on the manufacturer. Consumers can order partitions, plugs, cable channels and other devices of various sizes from Legrand.

Comparing different boxes, remember that the size ranges depend solely on the manufacturer

The boxes of this brand are presented in two series:

Pay attention! Skirting boards with a cable channel allow you to abandon the crushing of walls during the laying of electrical wiring. Thus, installation work is greatly simplified. In addition, there is no need for the use of specialized tools, cleaning of construction debris and restoration of walls.

Cable channels: dimensions and characteristics of floor boxes

This kind of boxes differs not only in its shape, but also in the way of installation. One side of the product is flat, and the other is rounded. Thanks to this, the product mounted on the floor looks harmonious and does not create interference. For the production of floor-mounted cable ducts, manufacturers use aluminum and plastic with impact-resistant properties.

If you need to bring the wiring to an object that is located far from the walls, flexible cable channels are often used

Floor-type cable trays are used as part of the overall system. They are necessary in cases where it is necessary to bring the wiring to a lighting device or a table that is located far from the walls. This type of product can become a full-fledged replacement for carriers and extension cords.

The most common sizes of floor boxes:

• 17×75 mm;
• 12×50 mm;
• 65×160 mm;
• 20×92 mm.

The colors of these designs are not so diverse and include white, black and gray shades. To design the joints between the two strips, shaped products of the appropriate size are used. First, the installation of the lower part is performed. After that, the cables are laid, and the structure is closed with a lid.

Some manufacturers offer practical accessories that improve the quality and reliability of the system. For example, Legrand cable channels are equipped with details such as joints and corners. These elements have a special design, thanks to which it is easy enough to snap them so that the fixation of the structure turns out to be reliable. At the same time, the product provides a high degree of protection. Most often it reaches the IP40 level.

Specificity of parapet cable channels for electrical wiring

Parapet boxes have another name – trunk. Their configuration is very similar to the structure of baseboard cable channels. The differences are primarily related to the installation method, since the parapet products are installed above the floor level. These systems include many elements that allow you to create a structure of any shape.

Most often, trunk boxes are installed at enterprises and offices. Installation is also allowed in residential premises (apartments, private houses), but in this case it is desirable to select the coloring of products in the tone of the wall decoration. The color scheme includes several options, but the main tones remain milky and white. You can find other shades, but it is quite difficult. Common sizes of cable channels: 100×60 mm, 80×40 mm, 150×60 mm and 120×55 mm.

The project of placement of trunk cable channels

For each type of section, you can choose the necessary shaped parts:

• stubs;
• outer corners;
• internal corners;
• splitters.

Useful advice! Parapet trays can be used to mask the routes connecting the indoor and outdoor units of air conditioning systems. They are ideal for these purposes.

Characteristics and size range of mini cable channels: 25×16 mm, 10×10 mm and other sizes

There is a reduced version of the parapet boxes – mini-designs. They are designed for laying a certain number of wires, usually television, telephone and Internet cables. The smallest sizes of these cable channels are 10×15 mm and 10×10 mm.

When using such small structures, shaped elements are not used for the design of corner parts. To do this, cut the cable channel at the required angle. In most cases, 45° slices are made. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the placement of the corner, which can be external or internal.

Related article:

Connection of wires in a junction box for electrical wiring

 Varieties and methods of installation of junction boxes. How to do the installation yourself.

Common product sizes and prices for them:

• cable channel 20×10 mm (34 rubles/piece);
• 10×10 mm and 10×12 mm (30 rubles/piece);
• 12×12 mm and 16×12 mm (32rub./ pcs.);
• cable channel 40×25 mm (90 rubles/piece);
• 20×12 mm and 20×16 mm (36 rubles/piece);
• 16×40 mm and 16×60 mm (79 rubles/piece);
• cable channel 16×16 mm (35 rubles/piece);

View of the cable channel with a single and double lock in the section

• 20×25 mm and 20×40 mm (39 rubles/piece);
• 20×60 mm and 25×10 mm (42 rubles/piece);
• cable channel 25×16 (the price per meter is 25 rubles and 50 rubles / piece);
• 25×12 mm and 25×16 mm (48 rubles/piece);
• 25×60 mm and 40×10 mm (82 rubles/piece);
• cable channel 25×25 (the price for the product is 74 rubles.);
• 40×40 mm and40x60 mm (92 rubles/piece);
• 80×10 and 12×80 (97rub./ pcs.), etc.

There are many options for combining standard parameters. Mini cable boxes have a fairly extensive size range. On sale you can find narrow and high products, low and wide.

Corner, metal boxes for wires, trays for LED strips

Angular cable channels due to their configuration have a narrow scope of application. They are mounted at the junction of surfaces, for example, walls or ceiling. In addition, corner structures can be used instead of a baseboard. The cutting of this material is carried out with a hacksaw. If the cutting is done carefully, the corner boxes look like decorative elements.

These products have one significant drawback over skirting structures. The cavities for the wires in them are very small, and the walls are thin, which is why there is a high probability of damage during installation work. The most popular size is 40×40 mm, so not all wires can be placed inside.

For the installation of LED years, angular channel designs are most often used

LED trays are one of the varieties of corner products. However, their cover is made of plastic, which can be completely transparent or translucent.

Boxes for LED strips are mounted in certain areas:

• corners under the ceiling base;
• bottom panel of kitchen cabinets;
• the interior of the furniture.

Pay attention! LED strip trays are not used for wiring. They are designed for mounting the backlight in the form of a strip of LEDs. These trays are placed taking into account the direction in which the luminous flux should fall.

Metal boxes are most often used in panel and frame houses. It is in these buildings that the probability of a fire is high. Such trays are placed inside ceiling ceilings and walls. Then the electrical wiring is stretched. In the right places, it is brought out through the decoration of the ceiling and walls.

Wire trays are used in the arrangement of stretch or suspended ceilings. They can significantly reduce the time of cable laying in the cable channel, the estimate is also reduced, since it does not require the purchase of small fasteners, you can limit yourself to only a few suspensions. The height of the structures is 80, 50 and 100 mm. The width can be varied and varies from 50 mm to 600 mm. The standard length is 3 m.

Metal boxes are the most suitable option for rooms with a high level of fire hazard

Features of the assortment of decorative cable channels

Decorative boxes are often used by designers when decorating interiors. These elements not only decorate the room, but also perform useful functions. For example, corner boxes in combination with LED strips are suitable for decorating and zoning rooms. Cable channels with a triangular cross-section are the best option for niches of suspended and suspended ceilings.

Some types of decorative cables are made in the form of bronze or brass tubes. This option is used when arranging retro-style wiring. Round boxes for electrical wiring look very impressive. Nevertheless, the system of their installation and the installation of cables inside require a lot of effort. Transparent products for LEDs not only prevent fire, but also protect the light elements from contamination. In most cases, it is the dust that becomes the instigator of a short circuit and a fire.

Advantages of decorative wiring:

Color boxes are selected taking into account the overall palette of the room. Gray shades are suitable for strict and business premises. For living rooms, it is advisable to select cable channels under a tree or in warm colors (beige, gold, brown).

Options for decorative design of cable channels:

• imitation wood will optimally fit into the space of wooden houses, where the rooms are decorated in a rustic style, for example, Provence, country, rustic, English;
• the box made of “metal” is suitable for such modern styles as minimalism, techno and hi-tech;
• monophonic cable channels are universal and suitable for interiors in any style;
• colored boxes will be a great addition to bright interiors made in the style of kitsch, avant-garde, eclecticism, art deco, fusion and pop art.

A round cable channel under the “metal” can be the finishing touch when decorating the interior

Useful advice! For laying cables on flat surfaces, it is better to use boxes with a rigid structure and a removable cover. In other cases, it will be advisable to use special products with a flexible structure. These include sectional cable channels, tubular and chain-shaped.

How to lay a cable channel: prices in the estimate, size selection and recommendations

The order and features of the installation work depend on whether the shaped parts will be used or not. If they are present in the system, the manufacturer usually gives recommendations on how far they will be located and how much space for their installation needs to be taken away. It is advisable to adhere exactly to these rules so that the result is neat and beautiful.

If wiring is supposed to be installed in cable channels, before starting work, it is necessary to determine the dimensions of all components in advance. The dimensions of the boxes are selected taking into account the size of the conductors, their type, as well as the number. Moreover, the calculation should be done with a margin in case you have to add 1-2 cables.

The number of wires in the cable channel is not normalized. The main thing is that the lid of the structure closes without any problems after that. In some situations, there are restrictions. For example, if you need to place low-current and power cables separately. In this case, the size of their cross-section is selected so that there is a small gap between these groups.

First you need to decide on the purpose of the wires. Based on this, the optimal cross-section size is selected, to which 4-5 mm should be added. This reserve is necessary for those cases when repair or replacement of cables is required and an additional wire is placed in the free zone. In addition, the presence of space inside the box will prevent the entire system from catching fire during a short circuit.

If you need to place low—current and power cables at the same time, you should give preference to models of a box with a divider

Making estimates for cable laying in the cable channel: prices for professional services

Since the laying of electrical wiring involves a certain risk, it is advisable to entrust the execution of this work to the hands of professionals. Many companies offer a price list with prices for the main types of work. However, the final cost of laying cable channels and other components of the overall system is determined on the basis of the estimate.

Average prices for professional services:

When making estimates, the following factors are taken into account:

• purpose of the room and its features;
• the total amount of electrical work to be performed;
• system composition (number of boxes, switches and sockets for cable channels, shaped parts, etc.);
• prices for materials.

Useful advice! A well-made estimate will allow you to distribute funds wisely. Knowing the exact price of materials and services, you can optimize costs and, if necessary, eliminate costs that go beyond the budget.

The cost of complex electrical work in an apartment of 50 m2:

Popular cable channel manufacturers: DKC, Legrand, IEC

To supplement the data on the estimate, you need to decide on the manufacturer. Not only the quality of the products depends on the manufacturer, but also the prices for them.

The German manufacturer Hager is engaged in the production of products for offices. However, due to its high quality, cable channels and other components are also used in residential premises. The structures have a modern design, so they can be used in almost any interior. The manufacturer produces mainline products (collection tehalit.BR ) and universal (tehalit.LFF collection).

In the product line of each manufacturer, cable channels are represented by profiles of various sizes

DCS cable channels are available in 4 varieties. Wall-type constructions are equipped with a flat lid, they are convenient and compact. Floor boxes are equipped with pivoting elements. Thanks to this design, they can be easily connected to each other. The manufacturer also produces mini-channels. These boxes have a white and brown pricing.

Legrand’s products are represented by profiles of various sizes. The width of these structures sometimes reaches 22 cm . From the inside, the case is divided into sections (from 1 to 3 pcs.). In Legrand cable channels, there are two types of partitions that differ from each other in the way of installation. In the first case, the element is installed in a special groove. In the second case, flexible parts are used, which are simply glued to the wall.

Important! After laying the wires, the cover of the cable channel should snap without resistance when closed.

The IEC cable channels produced by the domestic manufacturer are manufactured on modern equipment. At the same time, special additives are used, thanks to which the products acquire unique properties, for example, plasticity. Due to this, the boxes retain their integrity and operational characteristics, even if there is a strong bend. The IEC Group of Companies specializes in the production of trunk cable channels. They are ideal for laying low-current and power cables, as well as information networks.

Schneider Electric is another popular manufacturer. The company’s product range is represented by a series of Ultrac cable channels, including two types of products. Installation of sockets and switches in the system is carried out together with modular frames. Mini cable channels are equipped with a U-shaped cover. The company produces designs with self-adhesive tape, which greatly simplifies the process of their installation.

The range of modern cable channels allows you to implement any design solution when decorating a room

The offer of the modern market allows you to choose cable boxes with any characteristics and design. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of parts for laying electrical wiring in the house, it is necessary to take into account all factors, including the size of structures, manufacturer, decorative qualities and purpose. Properly selected boxes will not only mask unattractive cables in the room, but will also be able to complement any modern interior.