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by Dawn Bertman on Jul 10, 2025 10:00:00 AM
Even in a digital-first world, performance and communication depend on something far less glamorous: cables. And in industrial spaces like manufacturing, healthcare, and datacom, keeping those cables organized is part of keeping everything else moving.
Walk into a well-run data center, and you’ll probably spot trays and raceways routing cables through the building. These systems protect wiring, limit interference, and simplify repairs and upgrades.
Simpler tools like cable ties and bundling straps can still be effective. When used in the right setting, they hold everything in place and help minimize wear and tear.
So, how do you choose the right option for your setup? We’ll walk through the strengths of trays, raceways, and ties — starting with the features that matter most in industrial cable management.
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How to Choose the Best Cable Management for Your Setup
|
Product |
Known As … |
Notable Benefit |
|
Cable Ties |
The baseline solution |
Simple to use |
|
Ducts & Raceways |
The professional solution |
Well organized, yet highly protective |
|
Cable Trays |
The high-volume solution |
Good access for operators & air ventilation |
Wires and cables power real-time decisions and processes. However, managing them is an exercise in planning for the long term. Your application might require you to follow several criteria to make sure the cables are safe and able to perform their best:
- Cable(s) size – This includes both the dimension of each cable and the bundle as a whole. Factor in any need for future scalability in your layout plans.
- Strength – Structured cabling won’t have much structure if your “solution” can’t support the weight of the cables without deforming or failing over time. Again, consider the potential for additional cables later.
- Cost – A lower price point may bring the total project cost down now, but maintenance and replacement costs may increase as a result.
- Environment – How will working conditions impact the product’s ability to last long-term? Will there be exposure to extreme temperatures, chemicals, or moisture?
- Flexibility – Depending on your device design, the cabling system may need to adapt to bends, elevation changes, and expansions.
- Codes & requirements – Only certain cable types can be used in cable trays, per Article 392 of the National Electric Code.
- Installation complexity – This is important both initially and when it’s time to replace cables. Would it be useful if your system could accommodate different scenarios for adding, removing, and replacing cables?
- Color – Different things may mean different things to the user or the maintenance guy. Work this out before the start of the project to facilitate easier identification and servicing.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to the level of protection the cables need versus your desired feng shui.
Using Cable Trays for Cable Management
Cable trays are common in industrial or commercial buildings, from malls to restaurants and office buildings. The NEC classifies these products as support systems, meaning they’re a structural component of an electrical setup.
Cable trays do not fully enclose the wires inside them. If you go with trays, you’ll need cables that have high fire resistance, tensile strength, and positive results from crush and impact testing.
The types of cable trays available depend on the structure. They include:
- Ladder trays
- Ventilated trays
- Channel trays
Cable Tray Pros & Cons
Pros |
Cons |
| ✅ Capacity: Ideal for large volumes, with flexibility to add or remove cables easily ✅ Ventilation: Open design betters air circulation, reducing risk of overheating ✅ Accessibility: Provides easy path to cables for mods maintenance, & inspection |
❌ Cost: Materials and support structures can be more expensive up-front ❌ Space: Requires sufficient overhead or underfloor space to install ❌ Protection: More exposed to mechanical and chemical damage |
Using Cable Raceways and Ducts for Better Protection
Sometimes it’s OK to leave a bundle of wires as-is. In many other projects, extreme conditions or visual appeal are more of a concern. This is where raceways and ducts come into play.
Made of a flexible plastic, ducts are open structures that still enclose the cables enough to keep them organized. Ducts have mounting holes for easy installation on flat surfaces.
Raceways are also called wireways, conduits, or enclosed conduit pathways. No matter the name, the key difference stays the same: Raceways are fully enclosed. They’re typically a sturdier product and provide protection against:
- Humidity
- Corrosive chemicals
- Dust & debris
- Extreme temperatures
Fiberglass, aluminum, and PVC are all materials manufacturers use in raceways to provide sufficient protection of the cables running within. These are typically self-adhesive and provide a more appealing aesthetic.
Raceway Pros & Cons
Pros |
Cons |
| ✅ Protection: Resistant to physical damage. Some materials provide EMI shield ✅ Aesthetics: Provides neat, organized appearance by concealing cables ✅ Safety: Reduces risk of short-circuiting, electrical fires, & tangled feet |
❌ Cost: More expensive than cable ties due to material type and installation labor ❌ Flexibility: More challenging to reroute or add new cabling ❌ Space: Can take up an excessive amount of floor or wall area |
Using Cable Ties and Wraps for Simpler Jobs
Industrial cable ties are simple, yet sturdy fasteners that are simple to produce and use. This means they’re available at a lower price point. These products have wide-ranging utility and are therefore readily available.
Common types of cable ties include:
- Locking cable ties: Curved tip allows easy retrieval from a flat surface, as well as faster threading. Consistent and reliable for general applications.
- Dome top barb ties: Nylon product common in wire bundle management. Quick installation process, yet surprisingly durable. White ties are typically for indoors, while black cable ties are for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Releasable cable ties: Ideal for heavy-duty applications. Can press tab to release the cable for changes or repairs.
A Note on Datacom, Ties, & WrapsYou might think cable ties or tie wraps would be synonymous with data communication. Actually, users in those environments prefer Velcro straps (hook and loop fasteners) instead of rigid cable ties like Ty-Raps for bundling network cables. This preference is due to a few reasons:
|
Various materials are available for cable ties. Each has its own recommended temperature range for the working environment:
- Nylon (-76°F- to 185°F): Versatile and popular in numerous applications, especially HVAC systems where the product must comply with regulations for fire resistance and smoke production
- Weather-resistant nylon (-76°F to 185°F): Resistant to UV light damage; also used indoors
- Heat-stabilized nylon (-76°F to 239°F): This material can endure higher temperatures but is meant for indoor environments only
- Metal-detectable nylon (-40°F to 185°F): Indoor material for the food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries, which have strict standards against contamination
- Tetzel (-76°F to 338°F): Stands up to radiation and extreme hot/cold. Usable both indoors and outdoors.
Cable Tie Pros & Cons
Pros |
Cons |
| ✅ Cost: Less up-front investment than raceways and trays ✅ Simplicity: Easy to use and requires no special tools for installation. ✅ Versatility: Uses range from simple bundling to structured w/ mounted base |
❌ Accessibility: Once cut to remove or adjust, it's an inconvenient waste ❌ Pressure: Overtightening can damage insulation and wires inside ❌ Organization: Limited routing support and environmental protection |
Questions About the Best Cable Management OptionsIf you're weighing the pros and cons of trays, raceways, or ties, you're not alone. Here are some common questions that come up when choosing the best cable management for industrial and commercial setups. Q: What is the best cable management method for industrial environments?A: It depends on where the cables are going and what kind of conditions they’ll face. Some setups need stronger support to handle heavy cables or rough environments, while others don’t require as much protection. What works best in one space might not be right in another. The goal is to keep things safe, organized, and easy to manage down the road. A good solution should match your environment and hold up over time without adding extra headaches later. Q: Can cable ties be used in data centers?A: They can, but they’re not always the best fit. Cable ties are easy to use, but they can pinch or damage the wires if they’re pulled too tightly. And once they’re on, you have to cut them to make changes. In places like data centers, people often want something that’s easier to adjust. That’s why Velcro-style wraps are more common – they hold things in place without putting pressure on the cables, and you can reuse them when needed. Q: How do I know which cable management option fits my application?A: Start by thinking about how the cables will be used. If they need to be protected from dirt, heat, or bumps, you’ll want something that can stand up to those conditions. If the main concern is keeping things tidy in a tight space, a simpler option might do the job. The best choice is the one that works with your setup, not against it. It should make life easier now and help avoid problems later. |
The Best Cable Management Supports Long-Term Productivity
Cable management is a key criterion for effective protection in a bundle of commercial and industrial applications. Whether in the expanse of a data center or the compact confines of a control panel, your cabling solution directly impacts operational performance and uptime.
Regardless of where you’re introducing cabling, each strand needs adequate protection while staying mindful of other components in the assembly. Order and efficiency, not just price, are the purchasing goals here.
Looking for More Sourcing Guidance?
If you’re comparing cable trays, raceways, and ties as part of a larger procurement project, this free guide can help you plan with confidence.
This article was originally published in April of 2024 and was recently updated to reflect current industry standards.
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