Cable Cover Selection

What is your favorite reason for buying cable covers - protect wires from damages, remove clutter from your workspace, avoid drilling the walls and ceiling, insulate wires from electromagnetic interference, accommodate cables in your workspace without disturbing the décor, or a combination of the above? Before you jump to a conclusion, read this article to know the factors you should consider before reaching out for a cable cover in the hardware store.

Among the many reasons to invest in cable covers, many experts cite the following reasons as compelling: accidental fires caused by exposed wires that are subject to constant friction, heavy objects placed above exposed wires, and using the wrong wire size for supplying power to their electrical equipment. So the wire covers should be flexible and rugged. Aesthetics may not be one of the most important factors cited by the experts but it certainly is one of the most popular reasons for buying raceways.

If most of your cabling is being routed through the floor or baseboard often extending outside the edges of the room, then the cables present a tripping hazard. In this case, a flat cable covering is recommended. While being flat, the covers should have enough room for housing all the cables.

One important thing people often overlook in their purchase decision that is very critical for the efficient operation of electronic devices is the protection that cable covers offer from electromagnetic interference. EMI shielding sleeves and specified cable wrapping devices are available in the market that offers protection from electromagnetic interference.

In entertainment centers and offices where spaghetti network of wires emanating from digital equipment and computers have to be concealed aesthetically, you require an enclosed device that can hide power cords, telephone lines, and speaker cables to DSL lines without creating a mess. The product should accommodate tangled cables of varying thicknesses in an orderly manner and give you different mounting options such as fix it on the wall or furniture panel, or leave it to stand free without competing for space and attention. In restricted spaces and table tops where you have parked many devices, such as a PC and its accessories, music system, etc., a snaking cable pouch with hook and loop type fasteners are ideal for smoothly diverting as many as 25 cables.

In an internetworked office or a data center where it is difficult to walk on the floor without stepping on wires, a bunch of cable covers running across the length and breadth of the floor may not be a great idea. Access floors are made for such environments. Basically, access floors are pseudo floors high above the ground level with a chamber underneath for housing the wiring. Materials like steel can be used for the raised platform to make it strong and protect the wires without blocking them out permanently. On top of that the access floor levels the floor and accommodates an under-floor climate control unit.

Then there are cable covers that add glamour to your fancy lighting and chandeliers and adorn your bright walls; cable raceways made from silk simply enhance the beauty of your interiors. Brightly-colored, six feet long cord covers with Velcro edges can be used to delicately carry cords from your decorative lamps along the walls of your home of office without clouding the décor. They are available in different colors, shapes, sizes, and costs for your different requirements.