OVERVIEW

Cable-supporting structures are the hardware elements required to support communication cables. In the early 1980s when data cabling was being installed to support data terminals and new local area networks (LANs), communication cables were often installed on drop ceilings without any supporting structures. The weight of the copper communication cables has caused ceilings to collapse and pose a severe fire hazard in commercial buildings.

Cable-supporting structures are installed solely for the purpose of supporting communication cables. They prevent cables from lying on drop ceiling tiles and from resting on electrical wires and conduits. Cable-supporting hardware also serves the function of keeping communication cables organized.

There are many different types of cable-supporting hardware. Each type is used for different situations and for different types of cables. This chapter will describe the most common types of cable-supporting hardware and define when it should be installed in a building.

CABLE-SUPPORTING STRUCTURES

Cable-supporting structures are additional hardware for supporting communication cables. These are usually in addition to the cable pathways that are usually installed when a building is constructed. Cable-supporting structures are often required to augment existing cable pathways because they become full of cables. Another common reason for installing cable-supporting structures is because cable pathways are nonexistent.

Cable-supporting hardware is most commonly installed in the horizontal subsystem. The reason is that the exact configuration of each building floor is usually unknown when a building is under construction. Horizontal pathways that are planned to run under the floor must be installed during...