"David Hearn" wrote in message
...
I have to cover about 2-3m of cabling going into a wall mounted rack.
There are about 18 cat5e cables. I'm looking at just some basic trunking,
and from what I can see, mini trunking, is the most common. However, I
cannot work out the correct dimensions. I often see them described as:
10mm x 8mm x 3m, 18mm x 9mm x 3m, 16mm x 16mm x 3m, 25mm x 16mm x 3m, 40mm
x 16mm x 3m, 40mm x 25mm x 3m. Maxi trunking is larger, but less common.
Which is the width and which is the depth? I've seen some trunking
(slotted edge, which can bend) which is very deep but very thin - that's
not what I'm after. I'd like a nice wide bit of trunking. If necessary,
I'd use 2 bits next to each other if I can't fit all cables in it.
Width is first i.e. 25 by 16 = 25mm wide by 16mm deep
Any idea of the size trunking I would need to put in about 18 cables? Any
where online that would do these sizes, and can delivery next day (I need
to do it on Satuday). So far B&Q don't have maxi trunking, Screwfix don't
either, BES have the sizes above (mini) but no maxi, TLC-Direct do maxi,
but don't appear to have any of the corners (I need one or two corners).
Anywhere else to try?
18 Cat 5E cables have a cross sectional area of approx 400mm. There are
rules about space between cables but I cannot remember them and if it is a
'home project' I doubt it'll matter. The smallest (reasonable sized)
tunking I know of for this would be 38 x 16. Try City Electrical Factors
www.cef.co.uk. They have a 'Find your nearest CEF' button, I would be
suprised if there isn't at least one within close driving distance from you.
They sell lots of different trunking but the one I suggest is CMT3, best way
is if you have some spare bits of cable take 18 short bits with you and try
it! They are open all day and Saturday mornings
Also, can anyone explain how the corners etc works in trunking? Do they
just go over the cover, or are they mounted to the wall? If they go over
the cover, how do they stay there?
The corners clip on and are held there by little bumps on the inside edge of
the corner piece etc. that fit into a groove on the outside of the trunking.
HTH
John