Everything you need to know about cable protectors

Cable management solutions like cable protectors are versatile tools you can use at homes, offices, warehouses, industries, construction sites, etc., to shield important wires from the impact of a heavyweight.

Cable covers come in different designs. They can have different numbers of cable channels, and the channels’ sizes can differ from product to product.

Cable covers are easy to install and provide a great temporary solution for cable protection. Many wire protectors have connectors at their ends that you can use to connect several cable protector units and achieve the desired length of the cable protector.

This article explains different aspects of cable covers. You will learn cable protector types, installation, roles, top brands, and more.

Cable protectors explained

Cable protectors, also called cable covers or cable enclosures, are a cable management solution. They are also made a part of cable organizer kits.

Like other cable management solutions such as cable ties, cable conduits, cable grommets, cable ladders, cable clamps, reusable cable wraps, and cable guards, cable protectors are also installed and used to manage cable bundles and prevent cable clutter formation.

Cable protectors are manufactured in different designs, so people can use them in different settings. The usual cable protectors with a lid and base have built-in connectors such as dog bone connectors, L-shaped connectors, etc.

You can connect cable protector units through these connectors to get a cable protector of your desired length. You can easily separate cable protector units via these connectors whenever you want to.

Cable protectors have several benefits, such as protecting wires, reducing tripping hazards, etc. But there are some disadvantages of the cable protector as well. One disadvantage is that they may cause noise pollution when vehicles pass over them.

Learn more: Cable protectors explained.

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Role of floor cable protectors

Floor cable protectors and other cable management tools such as wire clips, cable ducts, braided heat shrink tubing, cable hangers, and cable trays play different roles with the same aim of organizing cables and creating a tidy space.

Here are the primary roles of cable protectors that will help you understand how they can benefit you:

• Shield wires: The main role of a cable protector is to shield the wire when traffic passes over it. The heavyweight of objects can crush the wire after continuous use. That is why cable protectors are placed inside the enclosures.

• Protect hoses: What’s more, you can use the same cable protector to protect hoses of the same diameter. Hoses also get damaged when people or vehicles walk over them. So, the hose protector shields them from negative impact.

• Reduce trip hazard: A danger of openly placed wires is that they can make people stumble, which can cause injuries. You should keep your space neat to protect your customers, clients, and workers.

• Create a safer work environment: An environment where your employees feel protected will help you improve the efficiency and productivity of your workers.

• Save time: Your workers will not have to plug the wires, again and again, that got unplugged when someone was walking over them. Such accidents can cause data to be lost if the unplugged wire is the wire of a computer.

• Save money: You can save your money by protecting wires. You will not have to spend your hard-earned money on repairing cables. Your devices and machinery will also be protected and not get damaged due to tripping.

Learn more: Role of floor cable protectors.

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Facts about floor cable management

A cable floor management system is the system that buildings use to protect and manage the wires that they cannot insert inside or on the walls during the wiring of their homes or offices.

This system uses various tools such as a cable protector, cable ladder, cable tray, cable wrap, cable raceway, cable sleeve, cable clip, cable tie, and cable holder. All of these tools play different roles. For instance:

• Cable protectors protect the cables that are openly dispersed on the wall.

• Adhesive cable clips keep the wires put and prevent cable mess formation.

• Cable trays are tray or bridge-like structures where you can place your old wires and protect them from mixing with new cables.

• Cable sleeves insulate a wire and form a covering around it to protect it from the harm surrounding objects may cause.

• Cable ladders are also used to prevent cable-related dangers. They support a high volume of cables with a large distance between supports.

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Different cable protector types

You must know some cable protector types before buying or using them.

Heavy-duty cable guard

These cable protectors are made up to bear more loads. This is particularly used in heavy traffic areas where wires are more prone to damage, and trip hazard is very high.

Rubber hose ramps

These ramps have large channels inside them. You can place hoses inside these channels to protect them, reduce hindrance in water movement, and diminish tripping risk. They are designed for rubber hoses that are more prone to damage.

Floor cord cover or floor cable cover

They protect wires of different sizes. These covers come in rolls, so you can cut the length according to your needs. They shield cables that are placed on the floor. They are used mainly for outdoor settings.

Sidewinder cable protector

It is an innovative design that is preferably used to cover cables at corners and turns. You can move the cover to the left and right to some extent. They are composed of several small pieces. You can increase or decrease their length by attaching or detaching those pieces.

Learn more: Different types of cable protectors.

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Cable protectors used in different locations

As mentioned, cable protectors exist in different kinds. These kinds differ based on their material, site of use, and many other features. Below is a brief introduction to popular kinds of cable protectors.

Outdoor cable protectors

As the name suggests, these cable protectors protect cables and wires in outdoor settings such as amusement parks and other public areas. They are usually made up of rubber or metal to ensure they bear the heavy weight of vehicles like trucks, etc.

Indoor cable protectors

These cable protectors are designed for indoor areas such as offices, warehouses, garages, homes, and places with unprotected cabling, sleeving, and tubing.

The suitable materials for these protectors are rubber, plastic, and wood. They can keep wire and cable around a charging station safe.

Cable protectors for events

Many devices, like decks, speakers, microphones, etc., are used at events. They are powered by electricity and get this energy through wires. These wires should not only be placed on the floor during events.

Any visitor or guest can trip over these wires while walking over them. So, cable protectors that particularly shield such as cables are called cable protectors for events.

Cable protectors for construction sites

Construction site fires are used to activate heavy machinery. These wires are protected using cable protectors for construction sites.

Low-profile cable protectors

Such protectors have a small height, meaning their upper surface is very close to the ground’s surface.

Rubber hose ramps

They are designed to protect hoses that can cause tripping accidents.

Learn more: Discover cable protectors used in different locations!

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Cable ramp installation

Cable ramp installation is an important step as it impacts the effectiveness of this tool.

Before installing a cable cover or cord cover, you must ensure the area is water-free and water or any other fluid will not accumulate there.

Try to look for a flat surface and avoid uneven surfaces. You should also match the size of the channels of cable or cord covers with the size of wires and cords you want to place in the channel.

Follow these steps to install wire covers as a cord management solution.

• Once you have chosen the location where you want to install ramps, place them such that the hinged side is in the direction from where the foot traffic or vehicular traffic will come.

• Put end boots on bare connectors at both ends of the cable enclosure to reduce tripping hazards and injuries.

• If the floor is slippery, secure the wire cover to the ground by drilling anchor holes.

• Start placing cables inside the channels. Ensure you insert the most sensitive cables in channels close to the hinges. Use different channels for different kinds of cables, such as power, electrical, data, Ethernet, cat6 cords, cat5e wire, and industrial cables.

• Place the protector lid back in its place. Try overcrowding cable channels, which can displace the lid and make pedestrian traffic stumble.

Now that cable protectors have been installed clean them occasionally to increase their lifespan. Use simple water and soap solution to clean them. Avoid using harsh chemicals like cleaning acids.

Learn more: Cable ramp installation.

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Cable protector buying guide

Many companies worldwide offer different cable management solutions, including cable ramps, cable ties, cable racks, cable fasteners, cable clips, cable trays, and cable straps.

You should keep in mind that the quality of these products is not the same. You need to know what things to look for in cable ramps to make the right purchase.

Here is what you need to check before selecting a cable protector.

Material

Cable protectors are manufactured in different materials, for example, wood, rubber, polyurethane, and plastic. It can also be made up of metallic components. All materials have unique properties. You need to buy cable protectors of materials that are durable and meet your needs well.

Dimensions

Cable protectors can have different cable chambers. Before buying the cable protectors, you should check the size of these chambers or channels. The channel size should be large enough to shield cables of different sizes well.

Type

Cable protectors are designed in different forms. Some are the usual cable protectors with sturdy lids and bases. Cable protectors come in another design called drop-over cable protectors. They don’t have a base, and the cable protector is simply placed over the wire you want to protect.

Manufacturer

You will find several manufacturers of cable protectors in the market. Not all manufacturers offer wire management solutions of equal quality. Therefore, you should do your research before selecting a manufacturer.

Cost

The cost of cable protectors should fall within your budget. Factors that affect the cost include the cable protector’s material, design, and size.

Learn more: Cable protector buying guide.

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Top cable protector brands

There are many cable protector brands, making it hard to choose one. Here are the top brands you should consider while purchasing cable protectors to protect a home cable, HDMI cable, network cable, coaxial cable, rubber cable, and electrical wire.

Checkers

Checkers offers various cable protectors, allowing people to easily find the cable protector that suits their needs.

Some examples of its products are heavy-duty cable protectors that can withstand heavyweight, light-duty cable protectors that are suitable for domestic use, and ADA cable ramps to allow wheelchairs, carts, etc., to pass easily.

Defender

It is another popular brand that people like for its numerous products. Adam Hall Group company owns it. Its products can meet the requirements of a vast audience. Whether you need protectors for domestic, commercial, or industrial use, you will be able to find one that is the most suitable for your needs.

Sino Concept

It is another well-recognized brand that offers durable and dependable cable protectors, having different features to help people choose the right product without difficulty.

Some of the reliable cable protectors of Sino Concept that can meet both your indoor and outdoor cable protection needs are cable ramps (having 2, 3, and 5 channels), floor cable covers (having 1 and 3 channels), and drop over cable protectors (having large and small sizes).

These products will protect different cables, reduce tripping hazards, safeguard expensive appliances, and create a safe working environment.

Learn more: Top cable protector brands.

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Conclusion

Cable management solutions are used in homes, offices, industries, warehouses, and other areas where wires are used.

These solutions can save you money in the long run as they protect wires, and you do not occasionally have to spend on cable repair. They help you create tidier and safer spaces for your employees, clients, and relatives.

A cable protector is one of the widely used cable management solutions. It can be installed in various indoor and outdoor settings according to the user’s needs. You can install it in your room where your children and elder relatives can trip over the wiring.

You can also use cable protectors to reduce tripping hazards and make your office look clean and neat.

Cable protectors come in different forms, having different features and characteristics. They can differ based on colour, size, material, design, number of cable channels, and other properties.

When buying a cable protector, ensure you learn its properties to buy a product that meets your needs.