Supporting Cables in Ceilings....

[disinfo]

Where cable basket is not an option...

Just a quick check really to see how you guys go about supporting cables in suspended ceilings.

The most common methods I seem to come across are using "All round band" the PVC coated stuff with screw holes or option 2, chucking it on top of the ceiling tiles

I did come across something a little different today where someone had used large plastic coated hooks to support a run of cables.

 

[Lectrician]

Depends on the contruction above.

Clipped direct if possible - Cheap and quick.

PVC Tray is now popular and quick.

I too have seen large 'garage hooks' used, but you would need to space these closely to make them effective, or it is little different from leaving them resting on the grid! Not really cost effective.

Full conduit and trunk system depending on scale of the job. Pukka, but costly and time consuming compared to other methods.

 

[ricicle]

Catenary wire - but then there are grouping factors to consider if more than one circuit.

 

[RF Lighting]

All round band is great.

You need to leave big loops so the cables don't end up needing derating for grouping factors.

If there is just a couple of cables then those little knock in square jobbies and a loose tie wrap are good.

 

[Steve]

I've seen drain pipe support hoops used before.

Also, there a vertical run is nessecary (false ceiling to upper ceiling), I have seen the ceiling support wire used as a vertical catenary (this was a good 10ft run for a void smoke detector and remote indicator) Also seen cables tie-wrapped to the vertical cats, just left hanging between. Rough.

And the old favourite - dragging them across the ceiling (usually CCTV cables)