Safeguarding a cable run across an open floor.

Since posting the question I've discovered two stockists of a hollow rubber strip designed for this purpose, though the only colours available appear to be black and light grey. I appreciate the notion of making a possible trip hazard clearly visible, but for short-term use I would prefer something that would blend in with the decor a bit better, if it exists.

On 05 Jan 2015, "Bert Coules" grunted:

Rubber stuff?

(or

There's also the tried-and-tested bodge of taping it to the floor with a length of duct tape, lengthwise.

Your post and my own follow-up must have happened at almost the same time. Many thanks for the link: although I would prefer something more stylish and less obtrusive, that particular product will obviously be fine if a differently coloured alternative doesn't come to light.

They're inevitbaly black and overpriced. Why not cut/route some wood, chopping it into short strips and taping together on the underside.

NT

Of the two types on the TLC links I was going to suggest that the second was proably the better choice as the edges are less vertical and thus less likely to catch a dragging slipper. This type of cable protection is quite heavy so anything over about 4 or 5' probably won't need any fixing.

Find a suitable coloured tape (parcel tape?) and cover it with that?

When you say "not-too-frequently used" what do you mean? Is it not possible to find a route, maybe froma differnt power source, that would avoid the possibilty of the cable being walked on. Like following the skirting and/or going up an over door frames? 1" panel pins tapped into the top of the architrave at each end will hold a cable in place.

Dave, thanks for your reply.

If that approach were possible I would adopt it, but unfortunately it is not. But at least the situation will be reasonably temporary, as I said.

Having looked at what's available, I'm coming round to exactly that notion. Thanks.

Put a rug over it...?

Hmm, I was going to mention that rubber stuff, but I still feel they are a trip hazard as the edges do sometimes come up an trip you.

Brian

I had considered that, but I'd be a little concerned about even very occasional foot traffic. I don't know how much protection those rubber strips afford, but it has to be more than just that given by a mat, surely?

Brian, I take your point: if this was anything other than short-term I wouldn't consider it. The permanent solution will be to lift the floor and install a ground-level socket at the appropriate place, but that can't happen just yet.

As you don't mind putting holes in the flooring I assume its going, so why not route a slot in and drop the cable in. From the bottom if its easy to lift.

The honest answer is that it struck me as too much hassle for a temporary solution. But I still might, thanks for the thought.

What's your concern? Damage to the cable? Trip hazard?

The rubber strips will provide protection against light wheeled traffic at a minimum. I have some that will protect against fork lift trucks.

Obtrusive is good. It stops people stepping on it or tripping over it.

A rug on a laminate floor I'd be wary of being rather slippy.

Rubber matting(*) is the normal method of covering cables in the day job (TV OBs). But subtle it is not, has to be at least a foot wide or it won't stay put and/or slide about, also only comes in black. Single or just a few small (1/4" is dia) cables are just gaffered down where they cross a walkway.

When when the genset is in use and there are trailing mains cables here I cover the ones crossing walkways with a square (80 cm?) of comfort flooring as that is to hand.

It really depends on the traffic and if people actually tread on it, being dragged up through TV Studios/OB's one is taught not to tread on cables. B-) Low traffic and not routinely trodden on I think I'd just gaffer it down, but keep an eye on it for wear/damage.

The strips are very good, not used on OB's as they aren't big enough for most TV cables and getting the cable in the slot is fiddly. The rubber strips are really designed for semi-permenant use. Of course the real permenant solution is a new circuit...

(*) Similar to:

That is 3 mm thick I think the stuff on OB's is a bit heavier, maybe

Translucent is available but obscenely expensive for very dubious gain. I prefer that people can see potential trip hazards clearly. eg

If it is only temporary then you probably want that stuff and then taped down with duck tape to avoid it still being a trip hazard. (bad news is that the adhesive may pull bits of wood up afterwards)

Sooner you have a safe permanent solution the better.

Wood plank with a rebate in the bottom for the cable?