routing cable in raceways

[Pants]

So far I've seen that raceways start outside a wall, but end up in the ceiling and then coming down into whatever room you need it.

Is it practical or common to run the raceway without going into the ceiling?...Say an Ethernet jack is needed for a room and the distribution closet was in the same room. Could the raceway be ran up to the closet wall, and then the cable fed through the closet wall directly into the closet?

Could the above method be used for running the raceway through a small building? LIke if a jack needed to be in one room, and the router was in a closet on the other side of the building?

 

[Kitten Kong]

By raceway do you mean trunking?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/Products/size_3/UVMX42B.JPG

If so, then yes, I use trunking where ever possible. Usually 2x runs. It's neater, easy to use, and looks more professional than a cable being stapled to a skirting board etc.

 

[Markverhyden]

Yep, raceway is the same as trunking. Also known as wire channel, wire mold, and conduit.

You can run it how ever you want. But the primary purpose is to protect the cable. Many electricians use staple guns but that is a no-no for communications wiring, especially high speed. I find that most customers don't like seeing pieces of channel running across bare walls. So I usually run it in the corners and along base boards. If it's not running up to a drop ceiling and I need to go through a wall I'll do that at the base board level. If they do not care or will not pay for channel I'll use adhesive backed cable tie mounts, with a screw in the middle, with a tie wrap.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Yes, run your raceway just above the baseboard so that it will blend in. Since you can't drill the hole through the wall in the actual corner of the walls, use the ceiling entry clip to make the transition through the wall. You can see various fittings here http://www.icc.com/c/64/raceway-fittings

 

[Pants]

Great tips THANKS. Exactly what I wanted to hear. I don't want to run cable up (inside) walls or in ceilings....At least right now. If I can master installing something like the above then I'll have confidence to try other things.

 

[frederick]

There are pros to installing the cable on the outside of the wall. It can used as a temporary solution or a permanent one. It's easier to change the runs, remove, and add without cutting holes that can't be filled with a spec of toothpaste and then painted over. You don't have to worry about firebreaks in the walls, or other nice little gifts that make the task more challenging. You can even make it look good.

One of the ways my clients has made it look good is by making it part of the decor. The raceways run about 3' above the floor, and below the raceway the wall color is this clean looking darker blue. The raceway is a light grey, and the wall of the raceway is a white. They made it look the part if you will. And did a great job of it. The trick was using the same size raceway throughout for the wall color separator. And many termination points are part of the raceway rather than a junction box. There are still junction boxes here and there, but for the most part, it's all part of the main raceway. For these, remember to install in this order: Raceway > Run Cables & Install Termination Points (Cap Them) > Paint > Remove caps > Install punchdowns and terminate. Don't forget your knife when you go to remove caps so you can cut the paint around the caps and not ruin the paint job.

 

[Pants]

For my first project (to get some experience) I'll install some raceway for this one cable I have running from my living room to my back office. I've got it taped to the wall and going around corners and under doorways right now...doesn't look very good.

 

[Pants]

See picture. It's from my CompTIA Network + study book that I bought in 2009.

I'm trying to imagine what was done in the picture. This can't be 2 keystone jacks wired into the same cable, can it?

Are there two cables in there? Why is it set up this way?

 

[bitznpcz]

See picture. It's from my CompTIA Network + study book that I bought in 2009.

I'm trying to imagine what was done in the picture. This can't be 2 keystone jacks wired into the same cable, can it?

Are there two cables in there? Why is it set up this way?

There are probably at least two cables in there. Some of the bigger trunking (e.g. http://www.marshall-tufflex.com/shop/shopimages/sections/normal/XL201.jpg) has three channels for data and power and could have around 20 or 30 network cables running through it. That's a job for the pro's though!!

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

See picture. It's from my CompTIA Network + study book that I bought in 2009.

I'm trying to imagine what was done in the picture. This can't be 2 keystone jacks wired into the same cable, can it?

Are there two cables in there? Why is it set up this way?

Some surface channels/raceways allow room for quite a few cables to be laid in them. We've done lots like that.

 

[Markverhyden]

See picture. It's from my CompTIA Network + study book that I bought in 2009.

I'm trying to imagine what was done in the picture. This can't be 2 keystone jacks wired into the same cable, can it?

Are there two cables in there? Why is it set up this way?

That channel pictured can probably hold 4-5 cat5 runs if not more. The ones I prefer are the clam shell covers. Cover stays with the unit and not somewhere else to get stepped on, broken, etc.

 

[Pants]

Ah. I see. thx

There are probably at least two cables in there. Some of the bigger trunking (e.g. http://www.marshall-tufflex.com/shop/shopimages/sections/normal/XL201.jpg) has three channels for data and power and could have around 20 or 30 network cables running through it. That's a job for the pro's though!!

Are you saying I'm not a pro?

 

[bitznpcz]

Ah. I see. thx
Are you saying I'm not a pro?

Ha. Ha. No, not saying that... I can do the wiring, but sub contract that level of work to electricians who do a tidier job in half the time! I'm happy to do the patch panels and socket termination but pulling cables is not my forte.

It's best to know your limits and boundaries and bring in outside help when required!

 

[Pants]

Yes, run your raceway just above the baseboard so that it will blend in. Since you can't drill the hole through the wall in the actual corner of the walls, use the ceiling entry clip to make the transition through the wall. You can see various fittings here http://www.icc.com/c/64/raceway-fittings

Ok so, if you're running above a baseboard and you get to a corner and you want to keep going straight (through) the wall then you'll use the ceiling piece to go around the stud? But if you're running above a baseboard and you get to a corner and want to turn into the next room, then you would stop and drill just SHORT of the corner, to avoid going through the stud?

Is it generally a "no no" to go through studs or is it just easier to do the job without going through them?

 

[Markverhyden]

Studs are structural members so you should never drill through them. Also interior walls will probably have insulation. Not just for temperature but mainly for sound control. Poking a drill bit through one side of the wall all the way through the other will wad up a large amount. I'll mark both sides and just penetrate the sheet rock on both sides. Then use a fish stick to pass the wire.

 

[Pants]

Thanks. I feel much better now. This shouldn't be too hard of a task then.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Studs are structural members so you should never drill through them

Where did you get this from?

Drilling through studs is a common and necessary practice. How do you think all of the wiring hidden in the walls is ran.

The hole needs to leave 3/4" of wood around it and you need to install a nail plate to protect the cables going through the hole

 

[Pants]

Is this the kind of fish stick you're talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Fibe...TF8&qid=1430862979&sr=8-1&keywords=fish+stick

 

[Markverhyden]

Yes. But that is a lot, 33' total. The kit I bought from a big box is like 15' total or so. Plus I have another one that is 8' total. Very handy and much more professional than coat hangers. Though I have a couple of those as well. And fish tape too.

 

[Pants]

Coat hanger sounds like a good idea. Save some money.. I won't be routing vertical runs inside walls.