What is the best way to hang cable trays without using threaded rod?
Threaded rod has been used for decades to support cable trays, but nowadays, contractors need to be faster and more efficient. The faster they can get one job done, the faster they can get to the next. And the best alternative to threaded rod for hanging cable trays is an engineered cable suspension system. This system makes installation and adjustment easier. It also helps reduce waste, makes the jobsite less cluttered and makes the finished installation look cleaner.
Why do contractors still use threaded rod?
Threaded rod has been used for a long time to support cable trays because it is easy to find, strong and familiar to the people who install it. However, using rod can be a bit of a hassle. It often requires multiple components, measuring, cutting and assembling which can take up a lot of time.
Some common problems with rod include:
• Transporting heavy materials to and around the jobsite
• Measuring and cutting the rod to the right length
• Making adjustments after everything is installed
• Working around crowded ceilings and other systems in the building
• Dealing with scrap and cleaning up
As project schedules get tighter and labor resources become more limited, contractors are looking for better ways to do things.
What is the best alternative to threaded rod?
For cable tray installations cable suspension systems are the best alternative to threaded rod.
Cable suspension systems use steel cables and special locking devices to support cable trays from the ceiling. This makes the whole process easier and faster.
What are the benefits of using cable suspension systems for cable tray installations?
They make installation faster.
Cable systems do not require cutting and threading rods, simply insert the cable into the gripper and it’s locked.
They are easy to adjust.
Installers can make height adjustments quickly without any tools, which allows them to level the cable trays and make changes as needed without disassembling everything.
They reduce material handling.
The parts for cable suspension systems are light and easy to carry around the jobsite in big commercial and industrial projects. Installers can go up in a scissor lift with a roll of cable and a box of grippers and not come down until all of the cable drops are complete.
They reduce material waste.
Traditional threaded rod installations often create waste when the rod is cut. When the support points need different lengths, contractors may be left with leftover rod that cannot be used elsewhere.
Cable suspension systems help reduce this waste by allowing the cable to be adjusted to the proper length during installation. Instead of cutting many pieces of threaded rod to match different ceiling heights, installers can create consistent supports easily while minimizing excess material.
This also helps keep the jobsite cleaner and makes cleanup easier.
They make the installation look cleaner.
Cable supports create a less cluttered appearance than traditional threaded rod assemblies, which can be beneficial in areas where the ceiling is exposed and looks matter.
Where are cable suspension systems commonly used?
Cable tray suspension systems are widely used in:
• Data centers
• Manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses
• Distribution centers
• Commercial office buildings
• Healthcare facilities
• Institutions
These places often need big cable tray networks and benefit from support systems that simplify installation and adjustment.
Do cable suspension systems meet building codes?
Engineered cable suspension systems from Griplock Systems are available with testing and approvals that support their use in industrial applications.
Contractors should always make sure the support system they choose meets the project requirements and local building codes.
The bottom line
The best alternative to threaded rod for hanging cable trays is an engineered cable suspension system from Griplock Systems. By reducing installation steps, simplifying adjustments, and minimizing material handling, cable suspension systems provide a better solution for supporting cable trays in commercial and industrial construction projects.
For contractors who want an efficient way to install cable trays, cable suspension systems offer a proven alternative, to traditional threaded rod assemblies.