What Is Floor Cable Trunking? Types and Selection Criteria
Floor cable trunking, also called herringbone trunking, is low, curved plastic trunking that covers cables laid on the floor and can be walked over.
Floor cable trunking, also called herringbone trunking, is plastic trunking that covers cables laid on the floor and can be walked over thanks to its low, curved profile. In offices it protects power and data cables running across the gap between a desk and a wall socket, and in meeting rooms, shops and exhibition stands it protects lines that cross walkways and prevents tripping.
Types
- Self-adhesive: Stuck to the floor with the tape on its underside; quick to install on flat floors where drilling is not wanted. In the catalogue: Adal Pano AD8080 (50x12) and AD8081 (70x18).
- Without tape: Fixed to the floor with screws and wall plugs or stuck down with separate tape. In the catalogue: Adal Pano AD8030 (50x12) and AD8031 (70x18).
- Schneider Electric PKS Optima: ETK50012 (50x12) and ETK77019 (77x19) floor trunking.
How to read the size: The size in the product name is the width and height of the trunking in millimetres; 70x18 means 70 mm wide and 18 mm high. The inner space where the cables sit is smaller than the outer size.
Selection criteria
- Number and diameter of cables: The cables must fit into the inner space without being squeezed. Choose 50x12 for a few thin data or device cables, and 70x18 or 77x19 for several power and data cables; check the inner size on the product page.
- Floor and mounting: The self-adhesive type suits flat, dry and dust-free surfaces such as parquet, laminate and ceramic tile. On carpet or dusty floors the tape may not hold well; in that case fix the type without tape with screws and wall plugs.
- Traffic: This trunking is for pedestrian traffic. Where vehicles, pallet trucks or forklifts pass, heavy-duty cable protectors are used.
- Protection and impact rating: The catalogue specifications list a PVC body, IP40 and IK07. IP40 protects against solid objects larger than 1 mm but gives no protection against water; take this into account on floors that are wet-cleaned. IK07 indicates resistance to 2 joules of impact energy.
Common mistakes
- Overfilling the trunking: The profile bulges, its edges lift from the floor and it becomes a trip hazard.
- Sticking self-adhesive trunking onto dusty, damp or carpeted floors: The tape does not hold and the trunking slides.
- Laying plastic floor trunking where vehicles pass: The profile is crushed and the cable inside is damaged.
- Leaving the ends open or rough: Raised ends at the start and finish of the run cause tripping; cut cleanly and make sure the end sits flat on the floor.
Related standards
- EN 50085-2-2: Particular requirements for cable trunking systems mounted underfloor, flush-floor or on the floor; floor trunking of this kind belongs to the on-floor group.
- IEC 60529 and IEC 62262: IP (dust and water) and IK (impact) protection ratings.
Floor cable trunking in the catalogue
The Floor (Herringbone) Cable Trunking category has 6 active products:
| Brand | Model | Size (mm) | Type | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adal Pano | AD8030 | 50x12 | Without tape | By the metre, direct order |
| Adal Pano | AD8080 | 50x12 | Self-adhesive | By the metre, direct order |
| Adal Pano | AD8031 | 70x18 | Without tape | By the metre, direct order |
| Adal Pano | AD8081 | 70x18 | Self-adhesive | By the metre, direct order |
| Schneider Electric | ETK50012 PKS Optima | 50x12 | See product page | By the piece, on quotation |
| Schneider Electric | ETK77019 PKS Optima | 77x19 | See product page | By the piece, on quotation |
For runs along walls and skirting boards, see the Plastic Cable Trunking and Adhesive Plastic Cable Trunking categories.
Frequently asked questions
Are herringbone trunking and floor cable trunking the same thing?
Yes. The curved plastic trunking laid on top of the floor is also called herringbone trunking because of its profile shape. Trunking buried under the floor and floor boxes are separate products.
Should I choose self-adhesive or without tape?
If the floor must not be drilled and the surface is flat, dry and dust-free, the self-adhesive type is enough. On carpet, dusty concrete or frequently cleaned floors, and for permanent installation, fix the type without tape with screws and wall plugs.
How many cables fit into floor trunking?
It depends on the size and the cable diameter. Take the inner size of the trunking from the product page; the cables should lie without overlapping and without straining the trunking. Trunking 12 mm high is for thin cables.
Can floor trunking be used where forklifts pass?
No. This plastic trunking is for pedestrian traffic; heavy-duty cable protectors are used where vehicles and forklifts pass.