What is a cable basket?
A cable basket is a form of cable tray constructed of a wire mesh material and used to provide support for data cables. Proper cable management is made easy because cables stay organized and all in one place. It is usually used when there are a large number of small cables to be wired. Data cables are small in nature as compared to electrical cables or other wires and cables which are much heavier in nature.
When the cable installation involves heavier wires, it is common to use a more solid tray. This type of tray is normally made of steel. The solid tray is made of steel to protect it from corrosion due to exposure to the elements, installation almost always involves running some of the cables outdoors. Baskets, while much lighter than your typical tray, are also made to last against the elements. Although the baskets are not made of solid steel in the same way as the trays, the baskets are made to protect against corrosion and will last a long time. Plus, the stronger cable tray provides support for the heaviest cables.
How it makes cable distribution and management easy
A cable basket makes it easy to distribute and manage cables because all you have to do is place the cables inside the baskets, instead of pulling them through the pipes. Since pulling these cables through the pipes is definitely more difficult and time consuming, placing the cables in cable baskets takes only a fraction of the time and allows the cables to be easily routed throughout the building. The baskets run the length of the building in the same way that the pipes do, except that they are open, allowing easy access to the cables but still providing protection for the wiring. The opening allows cables to be maneuvered without hassle, which is why baskets are most preferred when it comes to data cables over open cabling and other conventional cable installation and management methods.
The advantages of using cable baskets
The use of cable baskets presents a number of advantages during cable installation, as well as afterwards. There are two main advantages to using a basket during installation. One of the most striking advantages is that the baskets are lighter and much easier to use compared to the tray, since the cable tray is more cumbersome. Another advantage of using these baskets during an installation is that many more installations can be completed in one day due to the speed and ease that the baskets provide. Benefits once the cables are installed include, but are not limited to, the ability to make cable changes with little or no difficulty (the opening of the baskets makes it easy to do so) and optimal cable protection.
Since cable runs are frequent in a room and are often subject to change, it is appropriate that a cable basket or cable tray be used. These allow for easy changes to accommodate changing cabling requirements.
