A complete guide to cable ramp installation!

Cable ramps are cable concealers that hide wires, cables, electrical boxes, and any tangled electrical cord in homes, offices, and outdoor areas. This cable management system prevents heat shrink, and its non-metallic surface lowers slipping hazards.

It is inevitable to install cable ramps and make the space risk-free. Installing narrow, channelled cable ramps can exert pressure on the wires and is not good for safety.

So, after getting the best cable ramps, follow these simple steps to install them in the minimum time.

Where and how to use cable ramps?

Cable ramps, or cable protectors, can organize and manage messy wires and prevent wire heating and tripping hazards.

Cable ramps are commonly installed in the following places:

• Indoors places
• Outdoor cable ramp installation sites
• Industrial or official sites
• Event organization

There are 3 main ways to use cable protectors:

1. For cable ramps with lids, place the cable ramp at the desired location and neatly arrange the wires within each individual channel.
2. For drop-over cable ramps, It is necessary for you to place the wires on the ground and cover them with a drop-over cable ramp.
3. For hose ramps, ensure the wires or hoses are contained within channels to avoid potential hazards.

Learn more: Where and how to use cable ramps?

How to install a cable ramp?

If you ideally want to conceal and protect wires and cords, Ethernet cables, patch cords, power cords, extension cords, electrical wires, speaker cables or TV cables, proper installation is mandatory to prevent trip hazards.

Although cable ramps or cable protectors give a cord management solution, loose or improperly held cable protectors do not perform well and fail to give the required cable protection.

So, whether you want to install cable ramps in public or commercial places, take some basic installation tools and follow these steps to install cable protectors safely.

Configuration and setup

Alignment and configuration of the cable ramps are the initial things you need to do for cable ramp installation. Install cable ramps with high-density wires on the roads or construction sites.

Similarly, select an area in homes or other outdoor places where no water and other fluids collect, as they may contribute to wire shocks, trip, or slip hazards.

Secondly, the site must be smooth and have no irregular surfaces because vehicles that cross the cable ramps can face difficulties.

After selecting the installation spot, remove the cable ramp and position it on the ground. Carefully set side connectors or other accessories with the cable ramp.

If you want to extend the length of the cable ramps, mark the lines on the floor and position the cable ramps in a parallel manner. You can keep multiple cable ramps 2 feet apart to manage wires conveniently.

Assemble linear pieces by placing female slots over male tabs. Attach connectors and use end boots to complete the run. It also reduces tripping hazards presented by bare connector ends.

Securing the cable ramp

When cable protectors are placed, secure them properly by fixing them on the ground. This is important for slippery surfaces or sites with extensive vehicular traffic.

Similarly, securing cable covers is vital as heavy-duty cable protectors require a firm grip on the floor due to more traffic on industrial sites.

So, drill anchor holes in the ground and carefully install cable ramps in the holes instead of spiking. Just be cautious during the installation, and do not damage the cable ramp with improper handling. You complete the major installation steps after securing and connecting multiple cable ramps.

Wire arrangement and filling

The cable protector is almost installed, and now you have to fill it with the wires and cords to organize them. Place the cables in the channel that is closest to the leading edge. Be sure to use each channel for specific types of cables. For example, do not mix network cables with the hose lines.

Similarly, separately place sensitive wires from others to avoid damage. You can also avoid mixing different wires and hoses by placing them according to their functions, like using separate channels for power cords, wiring, tubing hose lines, or other fluids.

Things to consider before installing a cable ramp

The installation of cable ramps can be effortlessly accomplished by yourself with a bit of caution.

Before starting the installation, several things need to be considered, such as how many cables you need to cover and whether you prefer to use them indoors or outdoors.

A clear understanding of these fundamental aspects is vital before embarking on the installation procedure.

Learn more: 5 things to consider before installing a cable ramp.

Important things to consider after cable ramp installation

Proper maintenance of the cable ramps extends their life. Although cable protectors are resilient, highly durable, and sturdy material that can withstand changing weather, you should monitor any wear or tear.

• Sometimes, the lid of the protectors is unexpectedly damaged, and a torn lid can create trouble. Therefore, do not expose cable protectors to acids and avoid using a solvent in their cleaning. Instead, you can use ordinary soap and water to clean the product.

• You can also use steam cleaning to remove dirt from the cable ramp channels.

• Additionally, do not overload the cable ramp braided sleeving and fill the channels as per the diameter of the wires. The lid does not close in a tightly packed cable protector that can damage cable insulation.

Importance of skidproof covers for cable protectors!

Skidproof covers of cable ramps are made of several layers of rubber and can bear medium to heavy traffic, so normally, they cannot break with vehicular traffic.

But they can get damaged if you install cable ramps at places not compatible with their design.

For example, low-profile cable ramps at mining sites or other heavy-duty areas can add load beyond the cable ramp’s capacity and damage the lid.

Otherwise, vehicular traffic smoothly crosses without hurting wires or the lid if you have used the right cable ramps at the right places.

Conclusion

Cable ramps protect cables enclosed in the channels and covered with the lid. The gradual slope helps wheelchairs and other vehicles cross the wires without incident or shock.

Most cable covers are constructed of flexible PVC, rubber or polyurethane, and they do not give corrosion issues. Well-structured cabling of electrical boxes, CCTV, security alarms, Ethernet network, and different cable ducts shield the cable ramps to prevent hazardous situations.

So, investing in cable ramps and getting the required safety is better than keeping devices and lives at stake.