Whenever you think of convenience in cabling, think of under carpet flat wire.
As per the name, this technique means laying your cables beneath the carpet.
Among the upsides of this method is that it guarantees convenience and comfort.
It also eliminates probable accidents when wires are lying all over the house. But is that all about flat wire under carpeting?
Definitely not. In this guide, we explore further features of the technique and how to implement it, among other insights.
Table of Contents
- The Advantages of Placing Flat Wire Under Carpeting
- Specifications of Flat Cable
- Uses for Under Carpet Flat Copper Cable
- How to Run a Cable Under Carpet
- Summary
The Advantages of Placing Flat Wire Under Carpeting
It offers Flexibility
Wire underneath carpets is the go-to method if you’re looking for a flexible technique to help you take electricity wherever you’d like.
It ensures you can set up your sockets anywhere you’d like in the house, thus eliminating reliance on wall plugs.
The flexibility of the cables also means that installing them is a breeze. They can navigate bends without any significant damage to their structure.
Increases Safety
The conventional way to move electricity on the floor is via an extension cord. But they pose a trip risk as we often pass the cables over the carpet.
Flat wire technology, on the flip side, doesn’t have a similar problem as it passes underneath the floor.
Enhancing Aesthetics
Another important reason to pass cables underneath is to improve the room’s appearance.
It’s disorganized to have cables lying all over the floor.
But, a flat wire under carpeting fixes the issue and ensures your rooms look orderly and smart.
Excellent Conducting Features
These cables are flat along their width. Hence, there’s an even distribution of their mechanical load.
In turn, this ensures they dissipate heat excellently along their width. Also, the electrical features of the cables are excellent.
Specifications of Flat Cable
Smartly Laid Cables on the floor.
What are some of the things you should look out for when choosing Flat Cables? Check them out below.
Conductors
Cable Conductors.
A typical conductor can be one wire or many separated by an insulation sheath.
When choosing conductors, you have to be considerate of their various features, such as the following:
Conducting Material
If you want a highly conducting material, go for copper.
Its excellent thermal conductivity and meager strength-to-weight ratio make it an ideal flat cable wire.
A viable alternative to copper in power conductors is aluminum. It’s more lightweight but still possesses excellent conducting features.
Conductor Size in American Wire Gauge (AWG)
Knowing how to read cable gauges ensures you pick the right cable type.
For instance, if you want a wire with a thin diameter, you go for a high gauge value wire.
Conversely, the gauge is usually a smaller number value for thick wires.
The advantage of using thick conductors is that they have minimal resistance to current flow.
Thus, they are more efficient thanks to the increased cross-sectional area of the conducting parts.
Number of Conductors
Do you require one or more conductors for your application? No definite number depends on your setup’s specifications and demands.
Jacket and Insulation Material
Insulated cable Rolls.
Current leaks are undesirable in any sort of condition. Hence, it is very important to choose a cable with the right kind of insulating material.
Ideally, the insulation quality should be proportional to the current the conductor carries.
Here are some of the top insulation materials:
Neoprene
It’s a great insulation material that can withstand exposure to oils, chemicals, and flames without wearing out.
This synthetic rubber is among the most popular insulations for flat wire under carpets.
Silicon rubber
It will serve you best if you’re looking for a flexible cable. But it comes short in other features, such as fluid resistance, and is generally weak.
Thermoplastic
It’s a class of insulating materials that include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene (PE), and Teflon®, among others.
Each of these has unique properties, although generally, they are all excellent insulators.
Cable Pitch
The cable pitch is the separation distance of one conductor from the other within the cable.
This property may not matter much for conventional cables as they share a cable pitch. However, it is essential for flat wires.
How do you know the cable pitch for your conductor? Simply measure its width in millimeters and divide the value by the number of conductors in the cable.
Electromagnetic Shielding
Electromagnetic Shielding in Different Types of Cables.
Often, you’ll find a metallic wrapping just beneath a flat wire’s outer sheath.
It is typically the electromagnetic shielding layer. It helps protect the cable from electrical noise that can affect the transmitted signal.
Also, it helps ensure that the conducting cable has minimal electromagnetic radiation emissions.
Uses for Under Carpet Flat Copper Cable
Some of the typical applications of these cables include some of the following areas:
- They are common in homes, schools, and businesses that need to transmit data/power under the floor.
- Also, you’ll likely encounter them in warehouses and other high-traffic settings such as hospitals.
- They are also common in car’s and camper’s wiring systems.
How to Run a Cable Under Carpet
Ensure your cables are close to the wall.
- First, you need to plan where to run your cable. Do you intend it to pass across the room or along the wall edges? Also, go for a setup with the least foot traffic interference. Ideally, the best method should ensure no chance of tripping on the wires.
- After identifying the cable path, take the dimensions of the area you want it to pass across. Also, measure your cable to confirm it is long enough to fit in the part you’ve identified.
- Confirm that your cable is safe for use under the carpet. Inspect the cable thoroughly for cuts and any opening that could expose a conductor. Ideally, you should never use old cables as they often have such issues.
- Now lift the carpet to lay the cable. But first, ensure you have disconnected the cable from the power supply to avoid electrical shock.
- Pass a string/fish tape underneath the carpet along the cable’s path. Ensure it runs from one end of the intended cable passage space to the other. Now tie the cable gently to the string/fish tape and pass it along the path you’ve created underneath.
- Remove the fish tape and connect your cable to the socket. It’s now ready for use.
Summary
Having cables all over the house is ugly, and you risk tripping them when walking around.
Therefore, you should outright take up the option of installing them under your carpet.
It improves general house aesthetics and means you reap the benefits of flat cables.
Installation is also straightforward. But consult an electrician if you need help picking the right cable quality for your application.
