How to attach a cable channel to a concrete wall. What is the cable channel attached to. Specificity of gluing the cable channel

The traditional laying of electrical wiring in residential and industrial premises is carried out in an open way or hidden inside building elements. Use allows you to increase electrical safety and improve the design of rooms with open wiring.

They are always made with a flat base, which is designed to be attached to a flat surface of a building structure.

In order for the final work to be distinguished by an aesthetic appearance, to allow reliable operation of electricity and to be carried out at a minimum cost, four simple rules must be consistently followed:

1. think over the course of its implementation and translate the idea into a project on paper;

2. purchase the required amount of component materials and tools, selecting them for specific technical conditions for laying highways in the premises;

3. apply line routes to building structures;

4. perform installation work.

The quality of its implementation affects the quantity and composition of the necessary purchases and labor costs during installation, which greatly affects the timing of the work and their cost. For these reasons, drawing up a project is an important and crucial moment, although some owners neglect it, making various mistakes.

At home, the installation project for PVC cable channels can be done in draft form on plain sheets of paper. The main attention should be paid to the accuracy of the plan and the measurements applied to it, which can be performed with an ordinary tape measure.

It is necessary to draw up a plan both during the initial construction and during the next reconstruction of the premises or improvements to the electrical circuit.

The sequence of drafting the project:

1. determination of building structures (switches, sockets, junction boxes) and consumers of electricity, including lamps, portable and stationary electrical appliances;

2. planning of mains of power wiring, computer networks and low-current circuits, determination of a bypass of possible critical routes around water and gas pipelines, heating and sewage systems;

3. drawing up sketches of rooms on paper and drawing planned places on them with a designation of dimensions that allow you to calculate the need for materials.

During planning, it is necessary to clearly define:

places of installation of terminal electrical wiring devices;

configuration of cable channels routes to them, carried out along the walls, floor or ceiling;

the composition of cables and wires for each connecting section and their cross section;

the length of the entire route and any of its elements;

interior design ideas.

Selection of component materials and tools

This stage is started after the project issues are fully resolved. Otherwise, there will be errors associated with the loss of material resources.

In the case of parallel laying of several cables, the design of the box is selected, corresponding to their cross-sectional dimensions. At the same time, it is taken into account that it is allowed to lay electrical wires and low-current circuits in one cable channel, which is separated by special partitions.

For fastening on large spans between supports, a narrow tray configuration with high edges is better than a wide shape with low walls because it can withstand slightly more loads. But in this case it is more difficult to lay cables.

Based on the project scheme, the required internal dimensions of the ducts for each section are determined and they are divided into main and branch ones with smaller sections. Accordingly, the length of each profile is calculated.

PVC cable channels are supplied with additional accessories that ensure the fixing of electrical wiring in them in certain ways and the laying of routes at various angles, the fastening of housings of various sockets and switches.

Many cable channels have devices for built-in mounting of sockets and outdoor switches. This not only makes the job easier, but also looks beautiful.

Radially installed inserts protect the wiring from mechanical impacts at the joints of the walls, give the structure greater strength. Mounting strips allow you to achieve a snug fit of the inner surface of the cover to the box. The quantity of all purchased parts must be calculated after drafting the project before going to the store.

At the same time, it is important to study the offered products from several manufacturers and choose the most suitable one in terms of technical parameters and design. Pay special attention not only to the condition of the integrity of the ends and surfaces, but also to the operation of the locks.

Separate cable channels are produced with prepared oval-shaped holes for wall mounting. They allow you to slightly shift the housing in the axial direction during installation after installing the fastener until the final fixation of the tightening screws.

Special designs of cable channels can be mounted even inside the poured floors.

According to the degree of protection of the installed cable, the duct structures are divided into classes:

IP 00 - when all elements are made in a straight line and not covered with covers;

IP 40 - straight lines from non-perforated elements, closed with covers;

IP 44 - the same as for IP 40, but with the use of an additional bandage on each connecting element closed with covers.

The method of fixing the box with screws is not the only one. You can use:

construction gun;

adhesive compositions;

adhesive double-sided tape.

Which one is best suited for specific conditions should be determined individually. However, when running cable channels inside the house, installation is most quickly done with a construction gun. The use of dowels and screws is associated with drilling. And fastening with adhesives is recommended for small areas.

Since individual box designs can be located between the vertical joints of the walls or used as ceiling or floor plinths, they are made in a shape close to a triangle. Other cable channels, mounted at a distance from perpendicular surfaces, are created with a rectangular profile or close to it.

PVC material has a certain strength and good service life. At the same time, it is available for processing with conventional cutting tools: knives and saws with fine teeth, drills, reinforced scissors, which are in the arsenal of almost every home craftsman.

On sale are specialized devices designed for better and faster cuts, marking, joining adjacent surfaces. If you plan a large amount of installation, then such a tool will greatly facilitate the work.

Marking work on building structures

The quality of the markup determines the aesthetic appearance of the assembled cable channel and the entire room as a whole. Therefore, its application should be treated responsibly.

Mounted boxes look great on perfectly planned surfaces. If there are small irregularities on the walls, they can be visually smoothed out by bending PVC materials and increasing the frequency of fasteners.

Serious defects in curved walls will create problems during installation, and will not allow you to do the job beautifully. Therefore, it is better to align them in advance.

If several options for the location of highways were considered during marking, then the finally selected line should stand out from the rest in width or color. Otherwise, errors may occur when drilling surfaces.

Technological features of installation PVC box is made up of two parts:

1. plastic housing attached to the building structure;

2. a cover that covers the wires and is inserted into the locks of the box.

During installation, the boxes are first fixed to the walls, floor or ceiling, then the wiring is laid in them and then the removable covers are closed.

The standard length of the factory cable channel as part of these detachable parts is two meters. When it is not enough, then the next building is simply docked to the previous one. If an excess of length is formed, then the body blank, together with the lid, is cut to the desired size.

Smooth joints can be obtained by cutting corners in special squares. Many craftsmen cut workpieces with electric jigsaws or grinders. This produces very sharp cuts, but creates a lot of plastic dust. From its ingress into the body, you will have to protect yourself with goggles and respirators, and you will need to manually remove it from the floor and surrounding objects with a rag or vacuum cleaner.

After leaving the factory, the plastic structure is subjected to numerous transportations and storage in different places, which does not always correspond to its safety. Defects from careless handling are manifested by cracks and chips on the side surfaces. Therefore, they must be inspected and leveled before installation on building structures.

At the joints of the walls, the direction of the cable channel changes exactly by 90 degrees. To perform this turn, it is allowed to trim the sides of the case with a cover on the turns and bend in the desired direction. In such places, a lot of time is spent on high-quality joining of parts. Special lids from the accessory kit beautifully cover problem areas and allow you to get the job done quickly.

Housings for small low-voltage cables are produced with solid walls without mounting holes, used for adhesive fastening. If you plan to install with screws, then it is better to drill holes for them in advance. Applying a box with prepared holes when marking on the wall will allow you to accurately mark the drilling locations and align the self-tapping screw with the dowel installed in the wall.

Fastening the cases of boxes and junction boxes with a construction gun should be carried out through pre-prepared holes in the PVC case.

High-quality plastic, most likely, may not crack from a shot directly into the plastic and will withstand its efforts, and a technology made even with slight violations of technology will give deep cracks or even burst.

When several cables and wires are located inside the box, they should be carefully laid in parallel rows along their niches and secured with fastening jumpers, spacers or tied every half meter. All of these items can be purchased at the store. They are included in the accessory kit.

The material of the wall affects the method of attaching the cable channel to it as follows:

1. wooden structure allows ordinary screws to be screwed into it;

2. brick, concrete and stone require pre-drilling sockets for dowels or the use of a construction gun;

3. PVC panels, drywall and plywood or chipboard sheets can only withstand special designs of butterfly-shaped screw-in fixtures;

4. Places where drilling and recessing into the wall is not possible, can only be fixed with adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape.

In some cases, you can put a prepared box of short length on an already fixed cable.

The completed design of the cable channel must have:

resistance to mechanical stress;

reliable cable protection;

the availability of reconstruction for the completion of the electrical circuit;

relatively low cost.

Tell me how to attach
cable channel to porous
wall? Found some info:

Methods for attaching the cable channel to the wall

PVC cable ductsWhen laying power and information lines, PVC cable ducts are very popular. And this is no coincidence, because they are easy to install, have a low cost and provide easy access to wiring. The channel method is most acceptable in rooms with already completed fine finishing.

The installation of the box-channel is easy to do on your own, without the involvement of a specialist. At the same time, home craftsmen often face the question of choosing a method for attaching an electrical box to various surfaces - wood, plasterboard, stone, concrete or metal.

How to fix a plastic box for wires?

For metal structures, the most suitable option is self-tapping screws "bugs" with frequent threads. They are able to drill aluminum profiles and sheet metal up to 2.0 mm thick.
On wooden and plasterboard walls, the cable channel is fastened with special wood screws in increments of 30–50 cm. To securely fix the line, it is enough to use screws up to 4 cm long.
For drywall partitions, wood screws are suitable in combination with liquid nails. In the case of a significant weight of the cable route, it will be more reliable to put the box on the butterfly dowels.
Installation on wall blocks is carried out using dowel-nails with a diameter of 6-8 mm. To work with them, you need a drill with a percussion function. The plastic channel is pre-drilled in the places of the intended fasteners.

The market for electrical products is replete with various types of PVC cable channels (ceiling, wall, floor), designed for one or more wires. To join them into a single line, the necessary additional elements are produced - plugs, connecting corners, joints, tees. Due to such a variety of shapes and sizes, there are no uniform rules for installing box channels. Therefore, all installation tips are only advisory in nature.

How to fix the cable channel on a concrete wall?

1. Plan the route of the cable route, as well as the location of switches and sockets.
2. Cut the boxes into lengths of the required length and make marks on the walls where they will be installed.
3. Remove the cover from the box and place it on the surface. Using a metal drill, drill holes in the bottom of the channel, going deep into the wall just enough to leave marks on it.
4. Remove the box, replace the drill with a Pobedite one and drill holes for the dowels in shock mode.
5. Return the box to its place, insert the dowel-nails and hammer them in.
6. Lay the cable in the channel cavity and close the box with a cover.

Start laying the cable channel from the corner of the room, this will facilitate further joining of the segments. Control the position of the line with a level, this will increase the aesthetics of external wiring. When mounting on a concrete surface, do not drill through the wall through the conduit, impact mode may cause it to crack. It is better to cut a plastic channel with a saw for wood or a hacksaw for metal, and clean the cuts from burrs.

Masters "with gray hair at the temples" remember how open wiring was done thirty years ago, they saw what changes took place in technology fifteen years ago and can compare it with modern methods of laying open wiring. In order for you to have something to compare with and make it easier to make decisions, we will make a brief overview of all the existing and existing methods.

It is now so beautifully called, but before it was the only option for open wiring. It was used not only in the bath, but also in residential premises. The wires were fixed on porcelain insulator rollers.

For such wiring, electrical wires must be only single-core, the cups are fixed at a distance of no more than ten centimeters, plus one at each turn. The wires had to be twisted, and this is a long and tedious task. In addition, white insulation became dusty and dirty for a short time, various spider bugs very often settled in it for permanent residence.

Today, open wiring by the described method is mounted only by great lovers of antiquity, who do not know what it will look like in a few years.

Better yet, the electrical cables were hidden in plastic pipes, which looked much better on the walls. In addition, plastic pipes served as additional protection against mechanical damage.

Disadvantages - the complexity of installation and routine maintenance. Electricians still remember how difficult it was to pull cables through pipes, especially if there were turns.

Often the pipes were cut, and after pulling the cables, they were connected with couplings. Another significant drawback is the great difficulty during the production of repair work. Due to the low cost, open wiring in plastic pipes is still used quite often today.

Open wiring in the cable channel

According to most professional electricians - the best option for open wiring. In essence, it can be called open only by the technology of laying cables; in appearance, it bears little resemblance to the usual options; rather, it can be called semi-open.

Manufacturers produce a huge number of options both in terms of the number of cables and the method of fixation, overall dimensions and the availability of additional fittings. The advantages include ease of installation, durability, safety of operation, versatility of use, the presence of numerous special additional fittings. Additional elements solve issues with internal and external corners, turns, connections of sockets, switches, mounting boxes, etc.

It is on this type of open wiring that we will dwell in the article. Before directly considering the issues of fixing cable channels, you should learn a little about their varieties and technical capabilities.

Cable channel prices

cable channel

Types and features of channels

Cable channels are classified according to several important features.

Video - How to choose and install a cable channel

The main parameters when choosing a cable channel are the cross section and the number of cables that are planned to be laid in the network. Of course, you need to pay attention to the appearance, try to choose an option that would harmonize as much as possible with the existing interior of the bathhouse.

Stages of wiring in a cable duct

Step 1. Draw a plan for the placement of electrical networks, appliances and equipment.

Estimate several options, consider the possibility of increasing the power and the number of electrical fittings. Depending on the maximum total power of all consumers of electrical energy, select the cable diameter. To facilitate the choice, be guided by table No. 1.

Experienced electricians do not keep all the values ​​in their heads, they only remember that 1 mm2 of a copper cable section is designed for 1.3 kW of power at a voltage of 220 V, and 1 mm2 of an aluminum cable holds only 0.5 kW at the same voltage. What follows is simple arithmetic. If a section of 2.5 mm2 is indicated on the sheath of a copper cable, then it can be used to connect current consumers with a total power of 2.5 × 1.3 = 3.25 kV. Always round up and use this cable for 3.0kW.

Practical advice. For a bath, it is quite enough to buy an ordinary plastic box with dimensions of 40 × 25 mm, a cable that can withstand power up to 10 kW easily enters it. In the implementation there are boxes made under the ceiling plinth or floor plinth. A great solution, but it needs to be thought out even before finishing the walls or floor. We recommend that the central wiring be mounted above the floor, and the outlets for lighting fixtures, mounting boxes, sockets and switches should be made from below. But this is an amateur, you can use other options for installing electrical wiring.

You should have drawn both a general electrical wiring diagram starting from the inlet switchboard, and a separate diagram for each bath room.

Choose fasteners depending on the material of the walls. Self-tapping screws are needed for wood, special hardware for drywall and dowels for brick.

Each manufacturer of cable channels produces a wide range of additional elements: internal and external corners, triangles, plugs, connectors, mounting boxes, sockets, switches, etc. Carefully calculate the nomenclature and the total quantity, we advise you to take a few pieces in stock. They cost a penny, it will end up being much cheaper than going to the store again to purchase the missing items.

Step 2 Make a markup. For example, we will take a bathhouse, in which the walls are already fully sheathed and flooring is laid. There remains only one option for open wiring in cable channels - over the walls. It is better to do the wiring near the floor, in this case it is much easier to drill holes and fix the cable channel. Working under the ceiling all the time with outstretched arms is tiring and uncomfortable. Moreover, you will have to hold a rather heavy drill and a screwdriver in your hands.

Experienced electricians on the walls make markings only for mounting boxes, switches and sockets, cable channels are installed immediately without drawing preliminary lines. They take a section of the channel, put it against the wall, set the level from above (or from the side) and adjust the spatial position. Then, with one hand, they hold the box, and with the other hand they drill holes in the bottom for the hardware with a drill. This is quite difficult, you need not only to have experience, but also to be able to optimally organize the installation process. We will tell you how to make detailed markup for beginners, this will help to avoid annoying mistakes.

Hardware prices

set of hardware

How to mark up cable channels

You need to have a water level, a blued rope, a ruler and a pencil.

Do not be afraid to use blue - broken lines will be covered with a cable channel. Start marking from the switchboard, while at the same time take into account not only the characteristics of the cables and the placement of sockets, mounting boxes, switches, etc., but also the layout and purpose of the premises.

The markings and calculations are completed, you can proceed with the installation.

Step 3 Fastening cable channels. Mounting methods depend on the material of the walls and the material of the finishing sheathing. Let's consider each option in detail.

Prices for building level

construction level

Fastening cable channels to plasterboard boards

Gypsum boards consist of two layers of paper with gypsum in between. The material is relatively new and is very popular among professional construction companies - it is easy to work with, it is very technological, etc. But consumers cannot say so many good words about this material - the strength of gypsum boards is beyond criticism. Remove paper from drywall and it will crumble, any tangible force on drywall does not remain without visible damage to the surface. Accordingly, it is rather problematic to attach cable channels to such material. It makes no sense to use screws (albeit special ones). It is necessary to “overdo it” a little while screwing, as the thread in the plaster will scroll and the fastening strength will approach zero.

On such walls, we recommend using only plastic cable channels, the use of aluminum is highly undesirable. You need to fix the plastic with liquid nails, in the most critical places you can additionally use special screws.

Practical advice. Due to the fact that gypsum boards have a decorative finish, it must be tested for adhesion with liquid nails. Not all types of paints and not all types of wallpaper are suitable for gluing. First, in some secluded place, glue a small piece of a plastic box and check the strength of the bonding in a day. Everything is fine - you can use this technology.

Apply liquid nails to the box from the back in a thin layer, the application strip should be wavy to increase the adhesion area. There should be just enough glue so that during the pressing of the cable channels it does not protrude beyond their perimeter. To increase the reliability of fastening, you can additionally fix it with self-tapping screws.

Fastening cable channels to brick walls

A complex and time-consuming option, you must use dowels. The advantage of dowels is high reliability, but in our case, no tangible physical stress on the channels is expected, the advantage becomes unnecessary, and large labor costs remain. How to fix cable channels on dowels?

1. Put the cut blank of the channel in place of fixation, drill holes in the bottom with a drill for metal at a distance of 15 ÷ 20 centimeters. Drill holes carefully, only the end of the drill needs to be deepened into the wall. In this way, markings for installing dowels on the channel and wall are simultaneously made.

   

2. Take away the channel, change the drill to the winning one, switch the drill from drilling mode to punching mode. Use a drill to make holes for the dowels.

   

   

   Important. Drill carefully, select the correct diameter of the drill. It should be a few tenths of a millimeter smaller than the diameter of the plastic element of the dowel. This element should enter the hole with little effort.

3. Put the plastic cable channel in place, align the holes in it and the wall, insert the plastic elements of the dowels, hammer in the metal dowels.

   

If the wall is uneven, then choose places for drilling holes in convex sections, so you can avoid visible deformation of the cable channel. Wrong - not a problem. Most metal dowels are threaded, you can unscrew them a little, loosen the pressure against the wall and thereby correct the deformation that has appeared.

In all places where individual sections of cable channels are cut or joined, additional elements to be connected must be fixed. This is a general rule for all methods of fixing cable channels.

Professional installers use an air gun and special nails to fix cable ducts to brick or concrete surfaces. But a pneumatic nail gun is expensive equipment; it is not advisable to purchase it for one bath.

Air nailer prices

pneumatic nail gun

Fastening cable channels to wooden walls

For baths - the most common option, fastening is carried out with screws, the length of the screws is approximately 1.5 ÷ 2 centimeters. You can first drill holes in the cable channel on a flat plane at a distance of up to twenty centimeters, and then use them for fixing. It's easier, but longer. If there is a practice of performing construction work, then self-tapping screws can be screwed simultaneously into the bottom of the channel cable and the wall.

Problems may arise during the laying of open wiring on walls upholstered with clapboard. The boards of the lining have a profile, the screws should be fastened carefully. If the self-tapping screw hit the convex section of the profile - excellent, you can completely tighten it. If you have to screw the self-tapping screw into the concave part of the profile, do not tighten the self-tapping screw to the stop, make sure that it does not violate the linearity of the plastic channel.

We have already advised buying special additional elements for passing external and internal corners, wiring at right angles, tees, etc. All joints can be cut at right angles, the cut may not be perfectly even. Overhead elements will close problem areas, the connection will be beautiful, work will be significantly accelerated. You can cut a plastic cable channel with a hacksaw for metal, special assembly scissors or a circular grinder (grinder) with a metal disc.

And what to do if for some reason there are no additional elements, how to cut the channel so that the connection is not striking?

First, use standard long channels, do not rush to cut them into pieces. You should always have all the segments at hand, among them you can choose the one you need in length and not touch the whole one. It will be necessary for this to shift the outlet a few centimeters in one direction or another - there is nothing to worry about.

If you need to store the purchased cable channels for a long time, then put them on a flat plane, do not let them get direct sunlight. Over time, all plastics under the influence of sunlight darken and lose their plasticity. Do not believe the manufacturers' advertisements about "complete resistance" to UV rays thanks to modern technologies, various innovative additives do not completely protect plastic from such influences, but only slow down the physical aging process.

Mounted cable channel

It is almost impossible to fit openly hanging wires into the interior. About 40 years ago, there were two ways to conduct electricity in an apartment - to brick the wires into the walls or leave them in plain sight, fixing them on insulators. Leaving it in plain sight is ugly and dangerous. Immured in the walls - there will be difficulties with replacing the wire and moving the sockets to a convenient place. Installation of cable channels eliminates these inconveniences.

How to choose a cable channel

The cable channel is a rectangular, usually U-shaped profile, closed with a flat snap-on cover made of the same material. Sometimes they are called boxes. Installation of cable channels is carried out along the perimeter of the rooms under the ceiling at a distance of 15 cm with vertical outlets to sockets and switches. To lay wires through walls, holes are drilled in opposite channels and the wall..​

For laying power and low-current wires in one box, profiles with one or two partitions are produced. The standard length of the box for walls and ceilings is 2 meters, the minimum profile section is 8 × 8 mm, the maximum is 100 × 60 mm. For laying a small number of wires, usually low-current, at the corners between the floor and walls, there are skirting boards of a special design. If you want to bring the wire to the device, remote from the walls, there are floor options with a rounded surface.

Boxes differ in cost and performance depending on the material. Products are produced:

• from plastic. The most common option and the cheapest. For rooms with high humidity and on the outer walls of the building, IP 55 plastic with a high degree of protection can be used. The color palette of plastic boxes allows you to choose the desired tone;
• aluminum coated with polyethylene. More expensive, but stronger and more durable than plastic ones. The number of opening-closing cycles of the lid is small due to the extension of the locks. The polyethylene coating is easily destroyed by mechanical action. The color is given to the channels with a polyethylene coating and is quite diverse;
• steel galvanized. Such structures are the most durable and expensive. Mainly used under high load conditions. For example, with floor wiring and in the external environment. The color of the products is varied.

Choosing the type and size of boxes with the definition of wiring throughout the house from the electrical panel and cable entry points for television, computer network, telephone and burglar alarms to sockets, switches and lamps by drawing lines of wires on the drawing of an apartment or house. Depending on the power of the connected equipment, the wires will be of different thicknesses, this should be noted on the drawing.

The cost of construction is highly dependent on the section of the main duct. However, if boxes of different sections are installed in a room along the ceiling, this will spoil the interior. According to the drawn diagram, we determine the cross section of the main cable channel for each room and the total length of each standard size, taking into account the vertical connection to sockets and switches.

You should immediately calculate for each section of the box the number of internal and external corners along the wiring line, the number of end transitions of the plugs, the number of T-shaped transitions to the branches and their cross section. Of course, you can do without them, but the gaps at the joints, the difference in sections will be striking. The use of sealant to seal gaps will lead to difficulties if necessary, for example, to add or replace wire in the trunk.

The wiring will take on an aesthetically finished look if the sockets and switches are installed from the same manufacturer. They are perfect in size and design.

Preparation for work

After determining and acquiring the required range of boxes and additional elements, the installation sites should be marked. At the same time, trying to observe the horizontal and vertical lines of the installation, we advise you to focus on an equal distance along the entire length to the ceiling of the main ducts, and for bends - the distance to the nearest room corner.

To work, you will need a stepladder, a perforator drill, a screwdriver, a hacksaw for cutting plastic, a level. Depending on the materials of the wall and the box, other tools may be required, for example, a hacksaw.

It is not necessary to saw off the main channels in advance - the probability of an error is high. During installation, you can determine the exact size by simply attaching them to the installation site.

Nuances of mounting to a concrete wall

How to fix the cable channel to the wall depends on the material of the walls, since they have different strengths. The weight of the structure is determined mainly by the weight of the cable in the main box and ranges from 100 grams in the lightest case to several kilograms per linear meter. The distance between the screws should not exceed half a meter. If holes for fastening are not provided at the base of the box, it is better to drill them immediately before installing each piece. Consider each type of wall material and installation features.

There are several ways to fix the cable channel to a concrete wall. You can choose the most suitable one:

1. Professionals do this job with an air gun and special nails. The fastest option, but dismantling will be difficult, and the tool is expensive.
2. We drill holes with a puncher in the previously marked places for attaching the cable channel. We insert plastic dowels and fix the channel on the screws. The most common installation method for small volumes of work.
3. Adhesive connection. For use on flat surfaces only. Subsequent dismantling unequivocally renders the cable channels unusable. Procedure: on the base of the cable channel of the required length, apply special glue (liquid nails) along the sinusoid and apply it for a second to the place marked on the wall. After 2 minutes, the cable channel must be firmly pressed for the glue hardening time indicated on the package.

Fastening the cable channel to a brick wall can be done in the same way as for concrete walls. In this case, it should be taken into account that the dismantling of the glued structures will lead to the detachment of the plaster.

Mounting the cable channel on a wall made of wood or GVL is almost the same. Drilling holes is not required, the screws are screwed directly into the wall material.

It should be noted that due to the fragility of gypsum fiber, the distance between the screws can be reduced. The adhesive method when applied to wood and GVL has the same advantages and disadvantages as on other materials.

If it is necessary to fasten the cable channels to a metal partition, you can use special metal screws 1.5–2.0 cm long with a drill at the end. If the surface is smooth, you can apply the adhesive method.

Before purchasing and installing cable channels, determine the position and number of power and low-voltage sockets in each place. If you know where and what kind of furniture and electrical appliances will stand, it will not be difficult to calculate the sockets.

It is more convenient to lay the wires in the channels in one bundle, while closing the box. You can stretch the wires alternately, securing the covers already laid in a small piece every half meter.

For fixing a large number of wires on GVL sheets, special nylon plugs inserted into the wall can be used for screws.

The safety of operation of open wiring of cables is the main factor when choosing boxes and other structures that, in addition to protection, also perform an aesthetic function in the interior of the room.

Purpose of structures for open laying of wires

Cable channels are represented on the electrical engineering market by plastic and metal products, they are successfully used for open and closed installation of cable and wire products, they make it easy to install a cable in an apartment. They are successfully used indoors and outdoors, they can be called "trays for wires", "boxes", "electrotechnical structures for laying wires".

The functional purpose of electrical structures is to protect the wires from the possibility of mechanical action on them, and all other functions, including appearance, are additional, for which different colors and shades of products are added.

Experts classify these products into two groups:

1. Rigid channels for electrical wiring. These include boxes with or without a cover, as well as skirting, parapet and floor channels for wires.
2. Flexible electrical structures: corrugated tubes, sectional products and others.

In most cases, a metal cable channel is used in construction for the installation of wires, it can be of different sections: square, rectangle, as well as another specific section, round profile. The body of the box is cast, but it can also be perforated; it is used when better ventilation of the wires is needed to cool them.

The cover and body are connected with a lock, which makes it easy to open and close the channel, and this allows cable installers to add or remove wires in the box, simplify wiring. Locks are simple and complex, which require a special tool and skill to open. A double lock is widely used, which provides excellent fixation and repeated ability to open and close the cover of the structure.

Cable ducts can have an internal partition, which is used to separate power wires from low-voltage wiring (communication cable, Internet wires, digital television). On sale you can see electrical structures in which, if necessary, you can independently install partitions to separate power and low-current wiring, which makes it easy to fix the cable in the channel.

Requirements for the material from which the box for laying wires is made:

• high strength (plastic, metal);
• fire resistance.

Types of electrical structures

Types of cable channels can be divided according to the form of manufacture and the material from which they are made. Rigid structures are made of durable plastic or galvanized metal. The perforated cable tray allows for natural ventilation, which improves the electrical conductivity of cable products.

Whenever structures for laying wires are selected, it is necessary to take into account the places in which they will be installed. For rigid boxes, this is installation in frame houses, on the ceiling surface, when installing a stretch ceiling, in a floor gasket. The closed type of construction is mounted on the wall or ceiling using self-tapping screws or dowels.

Aluminum boxes of Italian and German manufacturers are popular in the Russian market. All manufactured electrical structures are equipped with: tees, turns, internal or external corners, a cross. Components have an elongated cover, which makes it possible to create the illusion of a single design.

A flexible type of electrical products is tracks, they can bend along the entire length, but only up or down. Sectional connection is realized with the help of hinges, all sections are closed with a lid, except for the connection point, which makes them semi-closed. This is the best solution when you need a box of this kind.

Flexible channels are more expensive than rigid ones, for this reason they are more often used in industrial premises for connecting equipment. The prices for hard boxes are much lower, for this reason they are used in the community for apartment renovations. The tubular type of flexible conduit can be bent in any direction, often used to connect electric door locks, in conjunction with a flexible cable.

Skirting structures

This type of wire duct allows hidden wiring of additional cables in the apartment. The dimensions of the cable channels for skirting-type electrical wiring can be different, they depend on the manufacturer and are presented in the table below:

Manufacturers of plinth structures for laying wires complete them with a variety of additional products, these are plugs, internal corners, external corners, external elements, modular boxes (allowing installation of sockets at the level of the plinth), bends.

Manufacturers produce cable channels of various shades, which makes it possible to choose a skirting board design for your own interior. The disadvantage of plinth channels is their high cost, but it is cheaper than work on the manufacture of shtrab and further finishing of the apartment.

Floor structures

Products for outdoor use have a special shape and installation specifics. Laying cables in channels of this type protects them from mechanical impact, as they are made of plastic with increased impact resistance, as well as aluminum, have the shape of a semicircle on one side, which makes it possible to move freely in the room.

Trays for floor wiring are used when there is a need to transition from a wall structure attached to a concrete surface to a connection object (sockets near the table). Channels of this type are made in several colors, gray and black prevail. They have dimensions of 50x12 mm, 92x20 mm and others. All floor structures have IP40 protection level.

Other types of channels for laying cables

When deciding which channel to choose, other designs are taken into account:

1. Parapet view, which is similar to the plinth channel, but has a difference in the form of manufacture. They also have a complete set of components, are used in office space and in production. In apartments, this type of channel is used to connect blocks of cooling systems (air conditioners).

The industry produces these products in different sizes: 80x40, 100x55, 120x60 and others. How to fix the cable channel to the wall? This issue is easily resolved due to the available components, on a concrete wall with dowels, and on drywall with self-tapping screws.

1. Corner structures make it possible to hide wires at the level of the ceiling surface. The installation of these products is carried out at the junction of the wall and ceiling, looks like a ceiling plinth, has a size of 40x40 mm, this is the most common option, you must first apply marking lines.
2. A channel for an LED strip, or a transparent cable channel, which is a type of corner structure, but its cover is transparent. Often used to organize lighting in cabinets and in the kitchen.

The interior of the apartment will not suffer when decorative lighting is needed and an LED strip in a translucent box can be used. The price of wiring in a cable channel is much cheaper than hidden. Mounted lighting systems on corner boxes effectively organize the light space.

How to mount structures for wires?

Fastening the cable channel largely depends on the configuration of the room, as well as on how many and what components will be used. They are fixed through the hole made with a fastener to the surface. Each product has an installation manual, in which the product manufacturer gives instructions on how to properly install cable channels, how to attach them to the surface. If during installation the recommended distances are observed, then the whole structure will look like a single whole system, for this reason the wiring in the cable channel will be simple.

Initially, to work with the box, you need to understand what size it should be. To make the installation of wiring according to the electrical circuit simple, it is necessary to determine the number of cables or wires passing through the channel, taking into account their cross-sections and brands, and to calculate the cable box. For this purpose, it is better to invite an electrician. When choosing a box, it is necessary to leave a margin of free space in it for possible electrical installation actions in the future. Installation of electrical wiring is carried out taking into account the requirements for laying power and low-current power supply systems - they are led separately or through an installed partition in the selected box.

You can install the cable channel vertically or horizontally; inclined installation of structures for electrical wires is allowed on flights of stairs. To perform installation work and even cuts, metal scissors are often used.

To obtain a box of the desired size from aluminum or metal, use a hacksaw for metal. Branches are cut in the following order:

• the lid on the box snaps into place and the edges are aligned;
• a mark on the required length is applied both to the cover and to the box body;
• after that, you can separately cut the cable structure to the desired length.

If the structure will be located on a wooden surface, it is fastened with nails, on a concrete wall - with dowels. The distance between the attachment points is no more than 600 mm. At the end of the box and at the joints, the distance of the attachment point from the edge of the box is 30 or 50 mm. It is impossible to allow the coincidence of the joint of the cover and the body when joining two boxes, this will help to visually avoid uneven surfaces.

Conclusion

Laying cable and wire products in trays or electrical structures is not difficult, inside you can fasten the wires with PVC tape, the main thing is to install them correctly and select the required size of the box. Corrugated tubes are also wire routing channels that allow installation and cable connection to equipment with frequent movement in space.

The standard length of the box is about 2000 mm, it is necessary to choose such a size that at least 20% of the free space remains in it for possible future wiring. Cut with large scissors, a hacksaw for metal. The only requirement for electrical wiring in the cable structure during installation is that the wires should not be twisted, spacers are used in long sections, power wires and communication wires should be laid separately. If the structures are long, a supporting jumper is installed on them after 500 mm, this will prevent the walls from sagging and opening the lock of the box. Why buy expensive boxes - proceed from your own budget and the intended use of the structure.