Cabling options for desks in middle of rooms

[DrBeaker]

OK,

 

Need to bounce an idea off others here -

 

If there are a number of desks in the middle of a room, what options are there for running cabling to them for data and power? PCs and VoIP/PoE Phones

 

 

* raised/false floor

* chasing the floor out/concrete channel

* trailing cables from wall to desks (and H&S issue)

* push them to the side of the wall and use the existing setup

* ceiling pole with data and power?

 

Are those pretty much the only options?

 

Thanks

[Liam]

We also have a power pole. It also means its more flexible if those at the top change their mind.. And they will. Haha

[DrBeaker]

We also have a power pole. It also means its more flexible if those at the top change their mind.. And they will. Haha

 

Have you got power and data in the same power pole?

 

Had them previously in another role but they were a bit meh

[timbo343]

We have a few rooms with 'island' computers. The majority of rooms have a custom power pole about the width of a 2 gang faceplate. This houses the power and data.

 

We have one room that has power and data under the floor. Looks neat but a pain in the back side.

[robyholmes]

We used 3 compartment dado back to back on some white trimmed wood for our middle run in an IT room. Much cheaper than a 'official' power pole and meant we could use a T to spread out to the desking. I'll see if I can find a picture.

[robyholmes]

We used 3 compartment dado back to back on some white trimmed wood for our middle run in an IT room. Much cheaper than a 'official' power pole and meant we could use a T to spread out to the desking. I'll see if I can find a picture.

This shows it abit. Neat and tidy and no special hard to find and expensive parts required. Plenty of cable room too.

[kjadams]

This shows it abit. Neat and tidy and no special hard to find and expensive parts required. Plenty of cable room too.[ATTACH]63066[/ATTACH]

 

Nice looking layout.

[kennysarmy]

Nice looking layout.

 

No way the students left the keyboards and mice so neat

[SamanthaD]

If it's a new build, raised floor is the most flexible. Easy to move floorboxes in the future if you need to, and run cabling wherever you need. But susceptible to rodents - I have one room where the rats love to chew on my HDMI fibre cables!

 

Channeling out concrete is laborious, expensive and a one time deal. Great if nothing will EVER move, but you have to be absolutely sure of the locations before you proceed.

 

Poles feed from overhead are a good compromise, but beware of sightlines to a main display.

 

For me the easiest (and probably cheapest) is using over floor containment. Get some good quality walk over trunking (We use TopTec Cable Raceway), no sightline issues, infinitely flexible for the future and no need to involve external contractors!

[Andrew_C]

We have in the past run across the ceiling of the room below, and back up. Need fire-stopping, and of course, a room below to which you can add stuff.

[Andrew_C]

For me the easiest (and probably cheapest) is using over floor containment.

And a trip hazard, and not wheelchair friendly. We used it, but have now had some chasing done to get rid.

[robyholmes]

No way the students left the keyboards and mice so neat

This was taken before they were allowed in. But to be fair it's lasted pretty well.

[SamanthaD]

And a trip hazard, and not wheelchair friendly.

The TopTec raceway we use is neither. Metal construction so heavy enough to stay put (not the nasty rubber stuff you have to tape down) and low profile so pretty wheelchair friendly. We use it all over the place and have never had any complaints, even in DDA rooms with adjustable height lecterns.