Temporary cable runs. Best way to cover?

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

We fairly frequently have a need to run cables across the floor for some temporary setup e.g. we had an event yesterday where we had to get audio, network, and a chunky HDMI cable across 10m of floor.

 

For the above example we borrowed some large rubber backed floor mats which work fairly well, but the things are inevitably filthy. I've not found cable protector to be that great because it often sticks up and is a trip hazard in itself, plus it's difficult to thread cables in for long runs. Gaffer tape is another possibility, but of course leaves the cables exposed, and isn't easy with chunky cables.

 

Has anyone found a good solution to this to avoid the trip hazard?

 

Thanks

[colly72]

Hi folks,

 

We fairly frequently have a need to run cables across the floor for some temporary setup e.g. we had an event yesterday where we had to get audio, network, and a chunky HDMI cable across 10m of floor.

 

For the above example we borrowed some large rubber backed floor mats which work fairly well, but the things are inevitably filthy. I've not found cable protector to be that great because it often sticks up and is a trip hazard in itself, plus it's difficult to thread cables in for long runs. Gaffer tape is another possibility, but of course leaves the cables exposed, and isn't easy with chunky cables.

 

Has anyone found a good solution to this to avoid the trip hazard?

 

Thanks

 

We have a combination of the two - heavy duty rubber cable strip plus gaffer tape to stick it securely where necessary.....

[Andrew_C]

No. There really isn't a good solution. Only less bad ones. You can get cable protector that is slit along the back allowing you to "snap" it around cables. However, it is only a marginal improvement as a trip hazard.

 

If possible, go up over walkways. It seldom is though...

[3s-gtech]

The rubber cable channels are really not great - they're a trip hazard as you say. They do tend to be high-viz at least so give you some liability cover. Flexible rubber floor mats that you've tried are pretty much the best idea - gaffer tape is fine for temporary attachment but not for safety on walkways. Combine them with signs warning of the hazard.

[LeMarchand]

Not cheap, but how about the "external use" type ones. Should be easy to put the cables in at least. Not used anything like this, but here's some examples: https://www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk/external-cable-protectors

[networkmangler]

I have seen a product called Gaffgun advertised before, although I have never used one

 

I'm not sure it will make the cables any more protected but will make running them easier: G20NN0 Gaffgun, Gaffgun Bundle - Gaffer Tape Installation Tool | Farnell

[kingoranks]

We use this https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/product/d-line-light-duty-floor-cable-protector-12-x-60mm-x-1.8m-channel-black-445916

[bald_pig]

Cable cover tape, only has adhesive at the edges so you can tape down cables without gunking them up, and can usually be bought in yellow/black stripes for visibility.

[Bompalompalomp]

I have seen a product called Gaffgun advertised before, although I have never used one

 

I'm not sure it will make the cables any more protected but will make running them easier: G20NN0 Gaffgun, Gaffgun Bundle - Gaffer Tape Installation Tool | Farnell

 

Not cheap, but how about the "external use" type ones. Should be easy to put the cables in at least. Not used anything like this, but here's some examples: https://www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk/external-cable-protectors

 

We have both of these. The gaffgun is great for setups with long cable runs, though it does take a bit of getting used to and doesn't really protect the cables from damage, just secures them from being a tripping hazard and hides them away nicely.

We use those cable covers for an assembly setup which is put up and taken down after the assembly where the kids have to walk over the run. It's great for quick teardown where there's a pedestrian walkway and works much better than the original style of rubber cable trap you have to tuck the cables into, though despite it being bright yellow the kids WILL still manage to boot it because they're not looking where they're shuffling their feet.

[dhicks]

If you want good-quality gaffer tape, try Flints Standard 50mm wide:

 

http://www.flints.co.uk/pdfcatalogue/adhesivetapes.pdf

 

We find the above is sticky enough so it sticks cables down but peels off easily enough afterwards, not leaving sticky residue. Available in boxes of 24 rolls if you get through a fair bit.

[Gongalong]

Thanks all for the suggestions, much appreciated. I'll have a think

[PotNoodleTech]

No easy answer to this. Most cable management rubber etc things I have seen are more of a trip hazard than the darn cables. If it's a short-ish run and temporary I usually just use decent duck tape - if your pulling it up same day it comes up fine (don't leave it for 6 months tho.... or your floor will come up with it)

 

Have you seen an actual gig or live tv production? Spaghetti junction on the floor.

[Gongalong]

No easy answer to this. Most cable management rubber etc things I have seen are more of a trip hazard than the darn cables.

My feeling also. If we have 10m of the cheap rubber cable protector it will be impossible to keep it flat, let alone store it flat. I'm all for gaffer tape but it doesn't look great, and we have to get cables from the front of this particular hall, and there were concerns about look. I think rubber backed mats are the best looking and safest option, but there wasn't agreement on this.

Have you seen an actual gig or live tv production? Spaghetti junction on the floor.

I have seen some rigging for bands, but presentation is less of an issue in that situation.

[msi_school]

The outdoor ones or large (1mx1m) industrial door mats are the only options that stay on the cables however, as has been said here they are trip hazards in them selves as people do not expect the floor inside to have bumps.

[SamanthaD]

Have you seen an actual gig or live tv production? Spaghetti junction on the floor.

 

Not on my gigs. Cable management is a crucial part of stage management, and there's really no excuse for spaghetti junctions!

 

We use TopTec cable raceway for out internal installs - low profile and robust. But quite expensive! Otherwise cable ramp is pretty much the standard for event use. You can get all black versions but the black / yellow variant seems to be the most common out there.

 

Maybe think about alternative routes? Across the floor might be the most direct, can it go around the perimeter of the room? If not in an eyeline, can it go overhead? Or if you're doing it frequently can it be permanently installed?

[SamanthaD]

I have seen a product called Gaffgun advertised before, although I have never used one

 

I'm not sure it will make the cables any more protected but will make running them easier: G20NN0 Gaffgun, Gaffgun Bundle - Gaffer Tape Installation Tool | Farnell

 

Costs over £300? And the tape costs £18 a roll? Whereas a £6 roll of gaffa works just as well if you don't mind spending 2 extra minutes on your knees...

[Bompalompalomp]

Costs over £300? And the tape costs £18 a roll? Whereas a £6 roll of gaffa works just as well if you don't mind spending 2 extra minutes on your knees...

 

When we got it there was an adapter available from somewhere that allowed for standard rolls.

[grahamd22]

Why can't you use a wireless connection otherwise if possible go over a false ceiling?

[Andrew_C]

ISTR Cable way gaf has a non-sticky centre line. I can't tell if that is what the gun applies. It makes a big difference if the cable is going to be down for a while.

[Gongalong]

Why can't you use a wireless connection otherwise if possible go over a false ceiling?

I do have one of these somewhere. Depends how reliable it is! Also we play a lot of HD video, so depends if it copes with that from 20m+ away.

 

No false ceilings as this is a hall (ceiling's 4-5m high). Ultimately it's just to get something temporarily rigged.

[SamanthaD]

An old venue I used to go to had a rail and pulley assembly set up with the cables already installed - so when they were needed the cable loom was pulled out from the wall and the pulleys slid across the rail to the centre of the room. Nothing on the floor. Would something like that work?

[Gongalong]

Cost is likely to be prohibitive. We used some HDMI extenders with Cat 6 cable this time, but couldn't get them to work properly (video was cutting out, and audio cut out at the start of clips). If I can get them to work it might be useful to get a Cat 6 cable properly installed and ducted to the back corner of the hall.

[grahamd22]

The Microsoft display adapter worked great for us (1080p), we have been trailing it recently they also have a 4K one available, just a thought.

[Andrew_C]

Going wireless might be great - but getting power to your kit will still be an issue.

[Gongalong]

The Microsoft display adapter worked great for us (1080p), we have been trailing it recently they also have a 4K one available, just a thought.

 

What sort of range did you use it over? I found that speed decreased significantly with range, and that was only over a few metres. I'm thinking 20m away at the back of a hall, with students/parents between, mobile phones etc. could make it more of an issue for sending things like video.

 

Going wireless might be great - but getting power to your kit will still be an issue.

 

For power we're OK as we have lots of local-ish sockets. It's the AV side that's a pain.