INFORMATION SHEET 2.

1-5

Raceway

1. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able to:

1. Identify different types of raceway and its uses/.

2. INTRODUCTION
What do you think of when you hear the word “Raceway”? Maybe you think of a race
track where some kind of competitive speed event takes place, involving cars or horses
or video game characters riding go-karts. And there's nothing wrong with that. That is,
in fact, a “raceway”.
But, as Wikipedia tells us, raceway can also refer to a “surface mounted wire
moulding”. Maybe that doesn't clear it up very much, but basically what it refers to is
a channel to run cables through, that mounts on a wall, or a desk, or some other
surface, concealing wires or cables so your set-up looks nice and pretty.
So, it's a track for hiding cables. But it's much more complex than that: there are tons
of different types of raceway, each suited for a unique application. What are the
differences? Which one is right for you? If those are your questions, then you've come
to the right place. Let's take a look.
3. RACEWAY
A raceway is a small, enclosed conduit, usually made of plastic, that holds cables
inside and is designed to run along walls. Raceways provide better protection than
staples or cable ties. Because the raceway completely encloses the cables within a
rigid housing, the cables are protected from bumps and abrasions. Raceways are more
expensive and more difficult to install than staples or cable ties. Because raceways are
rigid, you must purchase fittings of exactly the right size and shape.

Image Industry name Description

It is the tried and
Latching raceway true, go-to
solution for your
basic cable
management
needs. It's typically
found in straight
sections of various
length (though
sometimes it's on
a roll) and it
usually features a
hinged latching
top. You open the
latch, pop some
cables inside, and
then close it back
up, concealing
them from view
Crown raceway
Cornet duct raceway Probably a better
bet. It's a quarter-
round shaped wire
moulding that
blends into the
wall/ceiling
junctions or
baseboards. It's
like a crown
moulding, but with
the added
functionality of
hiding your
unsightly cables.
Wire guard It is a line
maintenance tool
that covers up
wiring both
indoors and out.
Wire Guard
products protect
outdoor wires from
the elements like
rain, snow, the
sun and even
against some
impact. Wire
Guard
interior/exterior
cable covers are
low cost, light
weight plastic
moldings,
extruded in rigid
HIGH-IMPACT
Underwriters Labs
(UL) compliant
PVC. Suitable for
interior or exterior
use, these wire
and cable covers
are economical
and easy to use.
Wire Guards
provide a means of
hiding, concealing
and protecting
vertical wiring.
Crown raceway It is designed to
protect and
conceal low voltage
wires, cables,
data, voice, and
fiber optic. It is
easily mounted to
your wall and
ceiling and has
plenty of support
by optional cable
clips or other
methods that are
available to
maximize the
raceway area. The
unique design
adds an elegant
finish to any room
interior in your
home or office. The
raceway comes in
white and is
resistant to
scratching, dents,
peeling, and
corrosion.
Cable Runway Cable tray support
Support System system's
dependability is
perfect for low
voltage
applications such
as power and
communications
cabling.

Its modular design

supports an easy-
to-install system
that protects your
cables from
damage and
reduces the
amount of space
needed for cable
wiring and
installation.
 Cable tray support
system is attached
directly to the
framing or joists
reducing the
chances of
damaging the
cables
Fiber runner cable This cable tray
routing system system for routing
fiber optic cabling
provides an
enclosed,
protective raceway
specifically
designed for the
needs of fiber.
With a full line of
accessories and
joints including
elbows, cross and
tee sections, plus
covers and fiber-
duct slotted
channels, you can
create a
comprehensive
routing system for
your fiber
installation

4. PURPOSE OF RACEWAY
For the Home
Around the house, Latching Raceway is the tried and true, go-to solution for your
basic cable management needs. It's typically found in straight sections of various
length (though sometimes it's on a roll) and it usually features a hinged latching top.
You open the latch, pop some cables inside, and then close it back up, concealing
them from view. It's extremely versatile: It can be cut to the desired size, painted to
match the surrounding décor, and myriad accessories are available to get just the
right set up. Elbow bends, T-junctions, couplers and more can help you make turns,
go around corners or split your cables off in different directions. It typically features
an adhesive backing that lets it install on smooth flat walls with no tools at all. Just
peel and stick. It works really well for speaker wire, TV cables or other cords that
travel up walls.
For cables that travel closer to the floor or ceiling, There's even a literal Crown Molding
Surface Raceway available, for that extra decorative touch.

For the Professional

All of the previously mentioned raceways would be fine to use in an office, but there
are also specialized versions that are designed to work with office furniture, conference
tables, and the like. J Channels, for example, are perfect for running along the back or
underside of a desk or table, and help elevate cables while still allowing them to be
easily accessed. The wires simply drop in through the top and can be removed the
same way. Like latching raceway and corner duct, J channels usually feature a self-
adhesive backing which means tools aren't required.
For running networking, power or surveillance cables over floors, you may want to
turn to Wiremold's OFR Series Overfloor Raceways. These 4-channel ADA compliant
systems are available in aluminum or cold rolled steel, and provide maximum
protection from foot traffic, wheelchairs, carts or whatever else might stomp/roll over
them.
There are also several types of raceway that feature power and data access built
directly into them. These Power Raceways are great for extending connections to away-
from-the-wall locations while still concealing the bulk of the cabling. It's a great choice
for offices, but also warehouses, stores, factories and more.

For the Outdoors

What about cables that have to run on the outside of buildings or other structures,
like utility poles? In that case you'll want something that's specifically designed to
stand up to the elements. That's where Wire Guard comes in. It's like the rugged,
beard-having, hiking-boots-wearing cousin of indoor surface raceway. Made of high
impact PVC to protect the cables held within from environmental perils (not to
mention nosy children, pets, raccoons or other varmints, etc.), it's available in two
versions: one for standard vertical cable management (for data or communication
cables) and another with a belled end that meets “complete enclosure” requirements
for high voltage cable management.

It lacks some of the bells and whistles of typical home or office surface raceway: no
self-adhesive backing or latching covers here. But what it loses in convenience it
makes up for in durability. It can take a punch and keep on guarding your outdoor
cables like a champ.
For Commercial / Industrial Settings

There's also a little something called Extruded Aluminum Surface Raceway, which is
tough enough for outdoor applications, and looks great in industrial or commercial
settings.
Usually, in these types of settings (think server room, warehouse, factory), cables are
guided through wire cable trays. This is convenient, because it allows for easy access
to cables, and has space for ventilation and allows dust and other materials to fall
through without settling on the cables.
This isn't always feasible though. Sometimes, your cables are just too precious to
allow them to be supported by nothing but wire trays. Fiber optic cables, for example,
are extremely sensitive, and must be protected from the dangerous world around
them. Like a baby or a delicate flower.

Fortunately, there's a raceway alternative, which you probably guessed since this
article is all about raceway. Fiber Runner Cable Channels by Panduit are similar to
raceway in their enclosed construction (made from PVC), but function like cable trays
in that they can be mounted and routed in many different directions to create your
desired cable run.
Maybe you're just working with non-fiber low-voltage power or communication cables,
but still need more protection than a wire tray provides. There's a raceway for that too:
the Cable Runway Support System is a modular, easy to install option that can hold
up to 6 lbs. of cable per foot.
And there you have it! Hopefully now, when you think “raceway”, you'll think of
protecting cables as well as things going around a track at fast speeds. Which is much
less exciting …so, sorry for that, we guess?
Figure 1: Sample raceway installation (yellow color)
References

http://www.cableorganizer.com/articles/what-is-a-raceway.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/8-advantages-of-a-dual-dc-power-supply

http://slideplayer.com/slide/1632289/