Undercarpet Cables

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Energy-Miser

Energy-Miser

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Maryland
Greetings,
In an office envrionment they would like to make power available to various desks and tables, but do not want to cut concrete floor, or even use power poles (office has suspended ceiling). That leaves me with undercarpet (FCC) option (discounting the speed-bump over the carpet things). Anyone have experience installing undercarpet assemblies? Or any other solution? Please give me some pointers. Thanks, E/M
 
We installed underfloor wiring in a Hotel/Conferrence Center at the University of Texas with good results, but there are some factors to be aware of. The routing of the actual underfloor wiring assembly should be routed as staight as possible from the junction box mounted in the wall to the actual location of the floor outlet. Route the wiring to avoid any desks legs or chairs that would possible damage the installation. Make sure that the area is clean so that the wire assembly will adhere to the underflooring (concrete). Basicly follow the manufacture's direction and you shouldn't have any problems.
 
Red Wiggler said:
We installed underfloor wiring in a Hotel/Conferrence Center at the University of Texas with good results, but there are some factors to be aware of. The routing of the actual underfloor wiring assembly should be routed as staight as possible from the junction box mounted in the wall to the actual location of the floor outlet. Route the wiring to avoid any desks legs or chairs that would possible damage the installation. Make sure that the area is clean so that the wire assembly will adhere to the underflooring (concrete). Basicly follow the manufacture's direction and you shouldn't have any problems.
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That is great advice...proper planning.
 
try to make straight clean runs, avoid using the taps. clean floor properly and use the correct contact cement as well as the tape that you buy with the wiring (not off the shelf duct tape). (ie, follow the directions )
 
Follow mfgs instructions and plan your routing down columns and walls for a direct route with as few 90* turns as possible.
Try not to run it where employees will roll thier chairs over them again and again as this is the type of repair work that I have often fixed. Many instances of blowing up under the carpet shorted to the metal guards top and bottom.
One of the most important pieces of advice is to purchase one or two of the punch / Rivet tool used to join t sections in the cable as Nobody else will have one. Keep cable on hand and extra supplies for moves and changes.
Not many people will even attempt to fix the stuff but without the punch tool you are looking at hacks trying to drill and rivet the sections together because they just dont know any better.
 
OK, I need this stuff real bad. I am trying to find a manufacturer, but I can't find any that is listed.
Can someone post a link?
Pretty please:D
 
boboelectric said:
They suck. I saw a carpenter who called me after getting a good spark
.Nobody knew this was installed.(he drilled it hitting hot wire).
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If this stuff was more popular, that would happen a lot more. The way they add and remove walls all the time in office buildings, somebody would be shooting the bottom track right into the stuff.
 
Energy-Miser said:
Greetings,
In an office envrionment they would like to make power available to various desks and tables, but do not want to cut concrete floor, or even use power poles (office has suspended ceiling). That leaves me with undercarpet (FCC) option (discounting the speed-bump over the carpet things). Anyone have experience installing undercarpet assemblies? Or any other solution? Please give me some pointers. Thanks, E/M
Click to expand...

If they dont have carpet squares, you cant use that installation method.
 
walkerj said:
OK, I need this stuff real bad. I am trying to find a manufacturer, but I can't find any that is listed.
Can someone post a link?
Pretty please:D
Click to expand...
I have found that Tyco Electronics AMP Netconnect products make the stuff that is listed, but they seem to be quite pricy. For example my supplier has quoted the crimper from them at over $700! I thought it was a typo at first. Anyway FWIW here is their web address: www.tycoelectronics.com
E/M
 
jrannis said:
If they dont have carpet squares, you cant use that installation method.
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Yes, that is true, but lukily they have tiled carpetting. I am still in favor of installing power poles near the desks, as it will have lower cost and less hassle. However, will see what the customer's final decision is. E/M
 
Red Wiggler said:
We installed underfloor wiring in a Hotel/Conferrence Center at the University of Texas with good results, but there are some factors to be aware of. The routing of the actual underfloor wiring assembly should be routed as staight as possible from the junction box mounted in the wall to the actual location of the floor outlet. Route the wiring to avoid any desks legs or chairs that would possible damage the installation. Make sure that the area is clean so that the wire assembly will adhere to the underflooring (concrete). Basicly follow the manufacture's direction and you shouldn't have any problems.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice. How is tapping? Is the connection reliable over time?
 
Energy-Miser said:
Yes, that is true, but lukily they have tiled carpetting. I am still in favor of installing power poles near the desks, as it will have lower cost and less hassle. However, will see what the customer's final decision is. E/M
Click to expand...

left up to the customer, if the final decision is on costs.... Sears is having a sale on extension cords :D
 
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