What is Wire Basket?

Figure 1. Wire Basket solution

Based on TIA-569 standard, cable trays and cable runways are meticulously designed structures comprising prefabricated components for supporting and routing cables. Within the realm of cable baskets, including Fiberrunner, Wyr Grid, Trunking, and Ladder, Wire Basket emerges as a pivotal solution. This system is adept at establishing a structured pathway for the seamless installation of cables, as illustrated in Figure 1 above.

How to Select a Wire Basket?

A comprehensive wire basket solution aims to establish a pathway facilitating the routing of cables, such as twisted pair or copper cable, from one end to the other. The essential components for constructing a complete wire basket pathway include:

1. Channel
2. Connector
3. Intersection fitting
4. Cable drop accessories
5. Support bracket

Channel

Figure 2. Wire Basket Width Sizing

The channel plays a crucial role as the primary component in establishing the pathway distance. It is available in various width and height sizes, ranging from 100mm to 600mm, as depicted in figure 2 above. The selection is based on the total number of copper cables to be deployed for equipment consumption.

Figure 3. Wire Basket Height Sizing

The height offers cable bundle stacking capabilities ranging from 50mm to 150mm, as illustrated in figure 3. The rule of thumb for selecting the wire basket height is to follow the fiberrunner height, which is 100mm. This ensures that your environment is tuned in-line, creating a proportionate look and feel.

Connector

Figure 4. Wire Basket Connector

A connector is an accessory used to join two channels, extending the pathway. There are two types of connectors, as depicted in figure 4. The Bolted Style Splice connector is UL certified for electrical continuity. In contrast, the Push-On Style Splice is a toolless connector that significantly reduces installation time.

It's important to note that the Push-On style splice connector lacks an electrical continuity feature, resulting in a higher overall cost compared to the bolted style splice. Additional tools, such as a jumper kit, are required to bond the channel pathway.

Intersection Fitting

Figure 5. Wire Basket Intersection Fitting

In a data hall deployment, cabinets are arranged in a row design. The wire basket connecting these cabinets must be capable of forming a 90° right angle, tee-angle, and four-way crossway. Figure 5 displays two available options in the portfolio. The Radius Intersection can create all types of intersections, while the Formed Tee is designed for tee-angle and four-way intersections only.

Cable Drop Accessories

Figure 6. Wire Basket Cable Drop Accessories

The cable drop accessory offers a designated area for cables on the channel to descend into the cabinet for installation purposes. Figure 6 illustrates three types of cable drop accessories. The Drop Out Kit is recommended for its easy installation and one-size-fits-all feature, eliminating concerns about the quantity of cables to be dropped, as it is the largest among the three.

Support Bracket

Figure 7. Wire Basket Support Bracket

The bracket serves as the ultimate tool to secure the pathway in position, ensuring it can support the load rating of the wire basket. The general guideline for deploying support brackets is three brackets for every 3m channel pathway and one for each intersection fitting exit. Trapeze is the most commonly used support bracket, offering maximum load rating support. Figure 7 showcases some of the support brackets available in the market. Note that threaded rod is not provided together with the support bracket.