LV cable management inside a roof space?

F

fleetz

Active Member
Hi Folks,

Wondering what you guys are using for managing LV cabling inside a roof space? I have used catenary systems before screwing sturdy eyelets into roof timbers and tensioning stranded galv wire.

I heard about some other systems again using the roof timbers but screwing in what was described as large hooks that the cable sits in?

Anyway would appreciate what you guys are using? I have a couple of large jobs coming up where there is a lot of mixed LV, data, AV, home automation, security, C-Bus Cat 5 (SquareD) etc. need to maintain the physical 150mm (6") LV to HV parrallel separation and 60mm (2.5") cables crossing regulations here in Australia.

Be interest in what you guys are doing and what is available in other markets.

Regards,

Fleetz
 
large hooks that the cable sits in?
Click to expand...
 
Note that this the following is residential which is really very different here from commercial methodologies.  The two though are starting to come together most likely because LV cabling stuff was never a major thing with residential construction.
 
Here in the midwest I have a "tall attic" space.  Initially I built a cat walk and put in much lighting.  That said I did then pull all of the LV cabling to the center (well off center) and used plastic hooks  to support the cable ever 16" (which is probably too much).  Not much weight on the support structure being every 16" though.  The plastic has been fine and after 10 years shows no signs of degradation.
 
The path then of the LV cables is:
 
Chase from two stories down ==> up to top of attic ==> distributed in "groups" to rooms on the second floor.
 
This is a mixture of LV cabling today; IE: network (including POE), cat5e used for RS-232, speakers, shielded audio and antenna coaxial.  I also have an assortment of rapid run cables in place for MM TV stuff.
 
I am not using any active fans in the attic to draw out hot air but do have numerous vents in place.  Temperatures in the summer exceed 100F and in the winters sometimes remain below zero for weeks. 
 
In 10 years I have only seen a degradation of some quad shielded RF (RG-6) "monster" cable.  Mostly related to cold making the covering brittle.
 
pete_c said:
 
Note that this the following is residential which is really very different here from commercial methodologies.  The two though are starting to come together most likely because LV cabling stuff was never a major thing with residential construction.
 
Here in the midwest I have a "tall attic" space.  Initially I built a cat walk and put in much lighting.  That said I did then pull all of the LV cabling to the center (well off center) and used plastic hooks  to support the cable ever 16" (which is probably too much).  Not much weight on the support structure being every 16" though.  The plastic has been fine and after 10 years shows no signs of degradation.
 
The path then of the LV cables is:
 
Chase from two stories down ==> up to top of attic ==> distributed in "groups" to rooms on the second floor.
 
This is a mixture of LV cabling today; IE: network (including POE), cat5e used for RS-232, speakers, shielded audio and antenna coaxial.  I also have an assortment of rapid run cables in place for MM TV stuff.
 
I am not using any active fans in the attic to draw out hot air but do have numerous vents in place.  Temperatures in the summer exceed 100F and in the winters sometimes remain below zero for weeks. 
 
In 10 years I have only seen a degradation of some quad shielded RF (RG-6) "monster" cable.  Mostly related to cold making the covering brittle.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pete,

Be interested what plastic hooks you used? I have found this system from Panduit, I suspect it is an over kill but looks interesting. Am trying to find a distributor down here..

http://www.panduit.com/wcs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Panduit_Global%2FPG_Layout&cid=1345564328963&packedargs=classification_id%3D1597%26locale%3Den_us&pagename=PG_Wrapper

Be interested in what others are using to support LV cables in your installations. Our installation is a 25 degree pitched domestic house with timber roof structure.

Appreciate any and all input.

Regards,

Ian
 
Welcome to the Cocootech forum Fleetz. 
 
Lots of friendly folks here and much information relating to what you are looking to do.
 
BTW - I have heard rumors a few months back that Panduit is for sale....
 
Thanks guys...I have reached out to one of the Panduit Aussie dealers here with some part numbers of there products still waiting to hear back. On price and availability.

Caddy/Erico looks very interesting. I am trying to find a bracket for one of their J-Hooks that allows attaching to timber roof structure that will allow some swivel. The base J-Hook I am looking at is http://www.discount-low-voltage.com/Cable-Management/J-Hooks/CAT32HP

Will ring them on Moday and asking the question.

Regards,

Fleetz
 
Easy enough to manage when securing the J-hooks to the lumber...a machine nut and screw and not tightening them down completely is a low buck way to accomplish.

There really isn't much of a need to have them swing in the breeze....
 
Arlington's 'The Loop' appears to swivel on 1/4" rod, though not sure how the rod would attach to timber.
 
06_TL50-Install-Option-3.jpg

 
http://www.aimedia.co/media/spec-sheets/TL25.pdf
 
@fleetz
 
Curious what you come up with to utilize for a commercial installation of automation stuff in a residence there in Australia.  (if that is what you are doing)
 
Ideally sourcing your stuff locally and reasonable in price is what you are looking for.
 
Residential automation here has become a big thing; that said there are still no real recommended "rules" sets for said endeavor other than utilizing commercial for business building standards.  Its evolving here.
 
My original at work stuff dealt with creating base standards for LV infrastructure rules sets that played with here domestically and internationally as that was easier to manage.  The common piece here was low voltage wiring; but the "play book" was a conundrum of international rules sets which was a pita to deal with.
 
I did run into bumps when dealing with RF technologies.  (personally here ran into this stuff for international freight imports to your country).
 
In the long term though we ended up using vendors that sold what we wanted to use locally in whatever country and it worked for us.
 
pete_c said:
@fleetz
 
Curious what you come up with to utilize for a commercial installation of automation stuff in a residence there in Australia.  (if that is what you are doing)
 
Ideally sourcing your stuff locally and reasonable in price is what you are looking for.
 
Residential automation here has become a big thing; that said there are still no real recommended "rules" sets for said endeavor other than utilizing commercial for business building standards.  Its evolving here.
 
My original at work stuff dealt with creating base standards for LV infrastructure rules sets that played with here domestically and internationally as that was easier to manage.  The common piece here was low voltage wiring; but the "play book" was a conundrum of international rules sets which was a pita to deal with.
 
I did run into bumps when dealing with RF technologies.  (personally here ran into this stuff for international freight imports to your country).
 
In the long term though we ended up using vendors that sold what we wanted to use locally in whatever country and it worked for us.
Click to expand...
Agree with your comments. Tried all the listed distributors down here and apart for one do not carry any stock.. The one that did has two models in stock that were not what I was after. Asked for price and availability a week ago and only one has got back and nearly 4x the price you guys pay for yours.

Most people I contacted had no idea what a J-Hook was.....I would love to buy local but it is hard work sometimes. You guys are spoilt for choice.
 
Yup here only dealt with mostly Telstra there relating to getting my project over there "do whats" hardware stuff.  Great bunch of folks.
 
Mostly though only dealt with public sector stuff rather than private sector stuff.
 
I found a place in Adelaide called AV and Data Wholesalers.  I bet they could tell you where to get cable hangers locally.
 
Most electrical supply stores here in the US carry LV items - not the full specialty lines, but many items.  Pick up the phone, ask around.
 
aztronics may also give you some leads.  http://shop.aztronics.com.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=132
 
Anixter operates worldwide.  Call one of their Adelaide offices.  https://www.anixter.com/en_au.html
 
Get on InfoComm's mailing list.  Here is a link to Integrate Expo 2014, Sydney in August.  Look through the exhibitors to find some national distributors.
 
Neurorad said:
I found a place in Adelaide called AV and Data Wholesalers.  I bet they could tell you where to get cable hangers locally.
 
Most electrical supply stores here in the US carry LV items - not the full specialty lines, but many items.  Pick up the phone, ask around.
 
aztronics may also give you some leads.  http://shop.aztronics.com.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=132
 
Anixter operates worldwide.  Call one of their Adelaide offices.  https://www.anixter.com/en_au.html
 
Get on InfoComm's mailing list.  Here is a link to Integrate Expo 2014, Sydney in August.  Look through the exhibitors to find some national distributors.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the belated thank you reply. I have never been able to get email notifications of replies since I joined 9 years ago

Contacted the suggested companies either no stockists, or ridiculous pricing. I am heading to the the USA in the next few weeks and have ordered what I need for this project for my daughter and SIL and will be bringing all the bits back. Am travelling Premium Economy and have 3 x 23kg bags so plenty of spare space on the way back.

Pity but we remain a sleepy back water for the most part here in Aus with this stuff.

Cheers,

Fleetz
 
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